Thursday, November 23, 2017

The DEEBS attack Tim Keller

Dr. Tim Keller had the temerity to suggest that pastors of large churches  are going to function, in one of their roles, as an administrator.  Dee recounts attending a couple of the  many, many churches she has attended and left, where she believed the pastor didn't actually know all his congregants, her included.  [ Ah the humanity - dryly ]
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Is there a precedent?

Number of disciples of Jesus:  TWELVE
Number of followers:  Thousands.

Jesus had a history, in his ministry, of removing himself, and the disciples from the crowds after a time being.  Did he shepherd these thousands individually?  Only in a few specific cases.

But what about the disciples themselves after Jesus had been resurrected.

The First Seven Deacons Appointed

Now in these days, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
 So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables. So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch), whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and placed their hands on them.
And the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was increasing greatly, and a large number of priests began obeying the faith.

HERE the disciples did not see their responsibility as being the shepherds to individuals and their needs, not to serve the tables.  They administered, by appointing deacons, and then focused upon writing and teaching the Word.
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Final note: there are excellent small churches and excellent mega-churches.  Choose one but don't complain about the other.



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