Quote:
Originally Posted by MissBrattified
I didn't say that at all. I object to one-man-rule because it allows for the possibility moreso (IMO) than when leaders are accountable to one another and to members of the church body. When you have a leader who isolates himself from other leaders and members, its more than likely for reasons of maintaining control. There is no need for exclusivity, separation or secrecy within the body of Christ. A lack of accountability among brethren is the breeding ground for false doctrine, cults, one-man-shows and spiritual abuse.
A small independent church in which the leadership is comprised of one man who isn't accountable to either other ministers or his congregation is definitely at risk for corruption. It may never happen, if he is a true Christian and able to submit his will to Christ and lead in a truly Christlike matter, but in my opinion it significantly increases the risk. My opinion is based on both church history and personal observation.
You don't seem to be disagreeing with my post all that much (if at all). I clarified that accountability was important. I never said that churches and groups couldn't be independent. However, there is no need for churches and groups to be exclusive, secretive, unaccountable, or separated from the body of Christ as a whole. If that is what YOU mean by independent, then we do disagree. Strongly. I also disagree that leaders are only supposed to be accountable to God. God intended for Christians to be in close fellowship with one another as much as with Him, and leaving that component out of the Christian church is another way for individuals to maintain control (either personally or over others) instead of allowing Him to have control.
One man rule is just as wrong in a small group setting as it is for a large, traditional church.
Perhaps. Or maybe their wives submitted out of ignorance, thinking that they had to obey God and therefore blindly obey their husbands. (I don't think that's the logical conclusion of marital submission, mind you--but it's a rabbit trail that Christian women wander down quite often--in a sincere attempt to obey God's commandments.)
If you haven't met Christians who are that weak minded and easily influenced, then you must not get out much. The NT talks about people who are weak or those who are "feebleminded." I believe that the structure of the NT church is set up to protect all saints, including those who are weak in the faith and even those who may be weak emotionally or mentally.
They probably do.  God loves saints who are no more than simple minded sheep with simple minded faith just as much as he loves the ones with high IQ's. |
I'm pretty sure we agree more than disagree, sister. BUT, although I have met quite a few 'ignorant' and 'weak' people, I have never met anyone that I can honestly say would believe a preacher was a man of God and telling the truth if he told them 'God wants us to swap wives and yada yada yada'.
Furthermore, I doubt those people were illiterate and without any internet access or access to a Bible of some kind.
I am reminded of this scripture tho...
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2 Timothy 3 >>
King James Version
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
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