Guard Your Flock - Article

[Angelina]

Guard Your Flock … Even From Other Christians
By Ed Stetzer
Your church is not a public square for people to debate and opine. It's a place that you are to guard and shepherd. You create boundaries—both personally and congregationally.
People won't like that (so bring on the comments), but if you allow your church to be a gathering of special interest groups, then your ministry will be built around keeping them happy. Or, keeping them apart. And, promising them attention that you then spend your life trying to fulfill.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2013/july/guard-your-flock-even-from-other-christians.html

A good read... :)

 

[Miss Hepburn]

i just left a church, with a letter, even.
I could no longer go to sermons or receive newsletters saying things like,
This week we will be shining a light on fear.
For 2 weeks they spoke of loneliness.
I said, What is next jealousy, adultery, anger?
I come to a church for inspiration...not to talk about shadows...emotions people have
in the absence of light or God.

Yes, give me boundaries in a church...hope, faith, love, charity, glorifying God constantly...
those are the boundaries I went to be kept inside of.

Maybe not what you meant, but what your post made me think of.
Thanx Angelina, nice topic.

 

[Angelina]

I agree with you Miss H,
Churches should be places where we can go and be encouraged after a hard week in the market places or wherever else God has planted us...It should be an oasis in the desert, a place of being equipped and touching base with other believers, being encouraged and encouraging others. Providing an outflow of living waters for the saints of God... in preparation for another week in the mission field of our area of influence.

Although this may be a little off topic, it is actually the other side of the same coin ie; "how we need to guard our Church against doing the job of the Holy Spirit". I do not like Churches that go on themes relating to our personal walk with God. There is a place for this type of discussion but it should not be the main emphasis in Church services. The one's you have mentioned above; is the Holy Spirits job as a part of our sanctification process...not the Churches job.

The Churches main mandate is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry for the purpose of edifying Christ's body. Ephesians 4:11-12 and also for encouraging one another Hebrews 10:22, 23, 34, 25 JMHO :huh:

Be Blessed!!!