Mohammed (Program #12)

“Pastor Anonymous” joins us today to explain what happens when a Senior Pastor leads the church instead of a group of biblically qualified elders who are recognized by the congregation as the spiritual leaders of the church (according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1), several issues will normally surface that should cause concern. These issues fall in the following categories of confusion, characte,r and calamity. Immediately following the Senior Pastor’s departure, the elders gathered for prayer – repenting of our contribution to this disaster and asking God to guide us as we sought His direction from the Scriptures as to the kind of church that we should be. We clearly defined what we meant by elder leadership in the church and used that definition in the process of hiring our next Teaching Pastor. We took the title Senior Pastor out of any communication concerning a vacant position; and clearly defined who we are as a church so the next man who stood in our pulpit would know that he was an elder among other elders and that WE together will stand before Christ, to present to Him a faithful and devoted congregation. What was the result once this church left the “Pastor rule” model and went to a Biblical model?: We are a stronger, and unified elder council. God has blessed us with a gifted Bible teacher who embraces the biblical definition of elder leadership in the church and …we have a committed congregation that is enjoying a sweet season of unity and grace and ministry that is advancing the gospel. In sum, we are the beneficiaries of a kind and loving Savior who took us through a season of much needed chastisement for His glory so that we would be His church and not Senior Pastor So-and-So’s church. Topic: We take your calls.

Mohammed (Program #11)

MORMON MISSIONARIES Chris discusses a recent encounter with Mormon missionaries who came to his front door to discuss their faith, which provided an opportunity to question them about what they really believe. Do Mormons really think that God was once a man named "Elohim" who lives on the planet Kolob? And do they really wear holy undergarments covered with Masonic symbols? And perhaps most importantly, do Mormons really believe that they are progressing into god-hood? Chris has the answers -- direct from two genuine Missionaries of the LDS Church.

The Bible warns us to guard our hearts, lest we turn away from the counsel of God. But it’s so very easy to rely on our own instincts, isn’t it? King Asa was faithful to God, except at the end of his life. Sadly, the end of his story was marred by the consequences of a bad choice. In today’s message, we’ll learn lessons to help us finish our race of life well.

Topic: Why Pastor Rule is Not Biblical: Topic: The New Testament never mentions a church that is led by only one pastor/elder but always mentions a plurality of elders leading the church. What specific Bible verses in the New Testament mention the plurality of elders? Topic: Why are some elder boards really not Biblical but just rubber stamps for the pastor to rule as he desires? Topic: A church can have a lead teaching pastor but the term Senior Pastor is not found in the Bible and in fact has more in common with the parish priest as promoted by the Catholic Church or the rector in the Anglican Church. Topic: The church has deacons in order to assist elders and to free up elders for preaching, teaching, and administration. Topic: The main difference between an elder and a deacon according to the Biblical requirements is that an elder must be able to teach. Topic: A plurality of elders provides accountability, a more effective equipping of the saints for ministry and protection for each elder and the flock. Topic: What does it say about a pastor that must have the final say on how the church is administrated? Topic: The pastor is not a CEO. Topic: The pastor is not the head of the church; Christ is the head of the church. Topic: Many pastors that reject the Rick Warren model of a seeker-driven church do however agree with Warren’s CEO model if they agree with the idea of pastor rule. Topic: How should a Christian education department be administered and why is it imperative that the elders do the majority of the teaching or have direct supervision over a layperson that is not an elder but is teaching? Topic: Why do pastors reject the Bible model of elders? Topic: Why do church members reject the Biblical model of elders? Topic: We take your calls.

LifeWay Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention says its mission to "to provide biblical solutions for life." LifeWay, largely through its 160 retail stores nationwide, does indeed sell many biblical sound and spiritually profitable resources. However, it also sells much that is doctrinally weak and even heretical. In this episode, Justin discusses the study that Lifeway Research just conducted which ties spiritual maturity to doctrinal integrity. One of the marks of a mature Christian is indeed doctrinal soundness. One cannot be a mature believer and be doctrinally unsound at the same time. However, if doctrine is as important to LifeWay as it claims that it is, why, then, does LifeWay sell so many doctrinally bankrupt resources? Some of what LifeWay sells is profoundly dangerous - especially to young believers. Justin discusses how he has documented the dangers of these resources, shown them to the LifeWay administration, only to be given a shrug in response. Many naturally make the assumption that if LifeWay sells something in its stores then it has passed theological muster. This program is intended to give people a concerned heads up that such is definitely not the case.