Church Structure

[A.W. Bowman]

Just a note of extra clarification - nothing really new from what has already been posted.

The boundary set by Moses was to keep the people away from God until He was ready, otherwise they would surly die. Only Moses and the invited (e.g. the elders) were allowed access on the mountain and only Moses was allowed to continue on to the top. But, as has been pointed out, the boundary separating God's people from "the mountain" has been removed. No one is permitted to reconstruct it!

No pastor (or other minister) sits on the throne of Moses, except in their own opinion. That kind of teaching is, I regret to say, self-serving and a spiritually dangerous misuse of scripture in an attempt to further an individual's personal agenda.

Again, these remarks are just an affirmation of what has already been posted.

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

Just a note of extra clarification - nothing really new from what has already been posted.

The boundary set by Moses was to keep the people away from God until He was ready, otherwise they would surly die. Only Moses and the invited (e.g. the elders) were allowed access on the mountain and only Moses was allowed to continue on to the top. But, as has been pointed out, the boundary separating God's people from "the mountain" has been removed. No one is permitted to reconstruct it!

No pastor (or other minister) sits on the throne of Moses, except in their own opinion. That kind of teaching is, I regret to say, self-serving and a spiritually dangerous misuse of scripture in an attempt to further an individual's personal agenda.

Again, these remarks are just an affirmation of what has already been posted.

Words of wisdom....

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by The Lemon

I was wondering if I could pose a few questions to my brothers and sisters on here about modern day church structure. I appreciate all feedback.

First, how did we come to where we are today in terms of worshipping in a central building? Is this THE thing to do, or the only effective means of having/building a church?

Also, there have been alot of subjects on here addressing tithing, and I do not want to bring that up again (trust me) - however, if joining a church is like getting married, then when one joins a fellowship, don't we automatically adopt the means wereby the church is sustained (ala, fundraisers, building fund, etc.)?

Also, I know there has been alot said about wheather or not the pastor is the modern day Moses. I don't want to be redundant, but I have heard alot of this over my 16-years in the UPC. In fact the message yesterday had a portion which the preacher (a very dear friend of mine) talked about how God told Moses to set the boundary around the mountain - he added that God did not tell him how to set it, just to set it. Point being, that God would support the boundary set because Moses had the authority by God to set it. Just wondering if any one has heard this type of teaching before and what is your take on it?

He (my friend) also talked about how if a shepherd had a particular sheep that had a propensity for crossing the fence line set by the shepherd, then the shepherd may eventually have to take the same knife that was used to carve identification on it, to kill it, so it would not lead other sheep astray. Just wondering if anyone has heard this also?

My point is not to argue, just to get feedback. I realize we are the sheep of Gods pasture, however, I am not sure how I feel about being compared LITERALLY to an animal. I have actually heard a person say that sheep are "stupid creatures" referring to the flock of God - that always struck me a little funny.

I know there are allogories and parables used by Christ and are also throughout the Bible. Anyway, I have just been pondering, praying, and studying, trying to get some direction on some things. Fire away!!

I think the bible does not give us a license to spiritualize stories that don't have an explicitly stated principle already in the bible. In other words the Pastor is not Moses. He does not have a right to kill anyone.

As for a central church building. They had those in the bible, but it was someone's house. The church in that area held services in someone's house.

Later as the church grew and was no longer persecuted, it became easier to set up places of worship like the Jews had and *gulp* the pagans.

In the beginning this was not possible since the church was poor and persecuted

[TJJJ]

Isn't it something that God's plan for Israel was the Tabernacle, which, the way I see it, was just the place for sacrifice. Each Israelite father was instructed to lead his family in personal devotions on a daily basis. (Due 6)

The tabernacle was a very mobile and transient structure that, instead of the Israelites going to it, it went with them. Kind of like the Holy Ghost.

It was not until the Israelites wanted to be like the nations around them, and king and etc, that they began to desire a temple. God's plan was the Tabernacle. Man's plan was the temple.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by TJJJ

Isn't it something that God's plan for Israel was the Tabernacle, which, the way I see it, was just the place for sacrifice. Each Israelite father was instructed to lead his family in personal devotions on a daily basis. (Due 6)

The tabernacle was a very mobile and transient structure that, instead of the Israelites going to it, it went with them. Kind of like the Holy Ghost.

It was not until the Israelites wanted to be like the nations around them, and king and etc, that they began to desire a temple. God's plan was the Tabernacle. Man's plan was the temple.

Kind of like Gods plan is the home church/meeting and mans plan is the church building?
He clearly blesses both but it is rather obvious what He would prefer.....

[PMBrown]

The pastor=Moses doctrine is dangerous, ridiculous, and borders on the heretical. There is ONE modern day Moses, and His name is Jesus.

The allegorical method of interpretation of Scripture (while having a long venerable history) is always a shaky thing and has been the root of many false doctrines for centuries. There is a place for it, but only within the boundaries Scripture sets for itself.

IMHOP: Tithing is not explicitly taught in the NT, but serves the good and practical purpose of keeping the local church financially afloat and is a good way to express our worship to the Lord, exercise personal financial responsibility, and bring our flesh under control. But, alas, it is not often taught that way............

BTW, if anyone doesn't feel their local church is worth supporting financially, why attend that church?