Pastors or Life Coaches?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mfblume

That, but also some really aren't guiding in a Spiritual manner.

I heard Wayne Huntley say, "There is a movement in the apostolic church to dumb this church down." He is speaking of spiritually.

I have seen, over the years, people becoming uncomfortable and even afraid of following after the Spirit. They want to be more intellectual. And I am not against education. But, as I heard someone say, "The elders need to step up, because we don't have time to relearn all of this - prayer and praise that takes us to a place where Jesus is Lord and Satan is bound. That releases the Spirit in our services and if that doesn't happen, we just look like a bunch of people who dress funny."

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I heard Wayne Huntley say, "There is a movement in the apostolic church to dumb this church down." He is speaking of spiritually.

I have seen, over the years, people becoming uncomfortable and even afraid of following after the Spirit. They want to be more intellectual. And I am not against education. But, as I heard someone say, "The elders need to step up, because we don't have time to relearn all of this - prayer and praise that takes us to a place where Jesus is Lord and Satan is bound. That releases the Spirit in our services and if that doesn't happen, we just look like a bunch of people who dress funny."

Amen and amen.

The truth of the matter is, that without the power of God, we ARE a bunch of people that dress funny and act funny. We are in danger of being neo-pharisees.

Some pastors I believe, are insecure. You know, there is a rumor going around that pastors are human beings!! Scandalous I know. Sometimes I halfway believe it.

Insecure pastors can feel threatened by saints that are gifted in different Spiritual gifts. If they lend credibility to the gifts of the Spirit, what if those gifts are used to debunk false doctrine that the pastor/organization teach? This could present a problem.

[aegsm76]

The best pastors are also life coaches.
By this I mean that motivating people to live for God should be a desire of every pastor.
However, I believe I understand the point raised.
And it is a problem in society, as well as the church.
As someone who works with young people, it scares me as to how little they know of what they believe.
And how little they know of the Bible.
And these are saints kids, who have been raised in church their entire life.
The same issue is prevalent in society with very few of our young people (or older people) able to articulate the basic foundations of our country.
Which is why a large portion of the young believe that communism is a viable form of government.
In my opinion, if your pastor has not made you uncomfortable or self-reflective in a few months, you need to examine either your church, or yourself.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by houston

Joel Osteen-ish

That started a trend and showed people how they can get huge crowds.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I heard Wayne Huntley say, "There is a movement in the apostolic church to dumb this church down." He is speaking of spiritually.

I have seen, over the years, people becoming uncomfortable and even afraid of following after the Spirit. They want to be more intellectual. And I am not against education. But, as I heard someone say, "The elders need to step up, because we don't have time to relearn all of this - prayer and praise that takes us to a place where Jesus is Lord and Satan is bound. That releases the Spirit in our services and if that doesn't happen, we just look like a bunch of people who dress funny."

Bingo.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mfblume

That started a trend and showed people how they can get huge crowds.

Right, and started a new doctrine - you don't need the Holy Spirit to be saved, you just need it for empowerment - if you want that, but it isn't necessary.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Right, and started a new doctrine - you don't need the Holy Spirit to be saved, you just need it for empowerment - if you want that, but it isn't necessary.

It showed you don't need doctrine at all. Just talk about how good people are and never mention sin.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Right, and started a new doctrine - you don't need the Holy Spirit to be saved, you just need it for empowerment - if you want that, but it isn't necessary.

That’s not new.

[houston]

Originally Posted by mfblume

That started a trend and showed people how they can get huge crowds.

The huge crowds are drawn to it because it’s all about “me.” If sin is mentioned it is in a generic manner. People return for their weekly dose of therapy.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Is America entering a Religious Dark Ages?