ISRAEL’S BENEDICTION

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By Ken Blue

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying… ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27.

As Sovereign; He is their Blesser.
As Preserver; He is their Possessor.
As Bountiful; He is their Provider.
As Lover; He is their Creator.
As Illuminator; He is their Caretaker.
As present; He is their Peace Giver.
What a wonderful God is our God! All blessings flow from Him, and He wants you to know Him and to love Him.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CHURCH SPLIT

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GUARANTEED TO SPLIT YOUR CHURCH

Split

By Ken Blue

One way to ensure a split is to fill your church with transfer members from other churches. These dear people have already been indoctrinated, and they will criticize how you run the church. Open Door had two small splits in its first 10 years. Both were led by older ex-pastors who were unsuccessful in building their own churches. Their attempt to build with my members also failed. So, don’t be too eager to court disgruntled members transferring from another church.

Be sure to major on controversial issues. Fill each Sunday morning sermon with attacks on other Bibles, other churches, political leaders, and fags. Be as negative as you can. Nothing fosters a self-righteous spirit in church members like attacks on everyone else.

Don’t plan any programs where people can fellowship or get to know one another. If you do, they might grow to love each other; and it is difficult to have a church split where people really love each other. Also, they might love someone else more than you!

Don’t let people know when you are going to make changes; spring it on them. Nothing fuels discontentment like being in the dark, or being removed from a ministry.

Don’t allow people freedom or ownership of ministries. Micromanage every aspect of the church and make all decisions. This will guarantee they never feel a part of the church, and it will make it easier for them to exit with like minded friends.

Don’t preach as much about church unity and love as you do about tithing and soul winning. Although the Bible speaks of love and unity more that it does of heaven, hell, tithing, or soul winning; you can’t afford to let this be known, if you want a church split.

Don’t have a membership class or expect new members to sign a membership covenant. They might become too committed to the church and feel guilty when they are tempted to gossip.

Don’t hire staff or place people in leadership who agree with you. Don’t you know these people will be called “yes men?” So, fill vacancies with people who hold different doctrines and standards than those of the church. This works every time.

Lead the church in gossip. Nothing succeeds to split or destroy a church like gossip. So, pastor, if you really want to witness the “Big bang,” be sure that you and your wife lead this little group of terrorists.

Don’t seek to resolve problems with members immediately. Let it fester first. By the time you get to the fire, it will have spread throughout the church and you won’t have a clue which way to aim the hose.

Don’t develop ministries or train people how to do the work of the ministry. One reason people leave churches is they feel unimportant to the body. So, don’t seek for ways to start new ministries or involve others in the work of the church. Nothing works better than feeling unneeded or unimportant to the church.

Preach sound doctrine, but don’t make it relevant to them or life’s problems. When preaching doctrine, don’t include answers to questions like; “Why does this matter, or how does this apply to my daily life?” Go down deep, stay down long and come up dry.

Don’t listen to or seek advice of church members. What do they know? Ignore all complaints or suggestions. Remember, the mouth cannot say to the ear, “I need you.”  or, something like that.

Although volumes could be written on this subject; if you follow these rules, I am sure you will have a very successful church split in time. Don’t be discouraged; just keep working on the above and it will happen.

FUNDAMENTALISM AND THE FUNDAMENTALS

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FUNDAMENTALS AND FUNDAMENTALISM

bible lightBy Ken Blue

There is a vast difference today between fundamentalism and the fundamentals of the faith. Every believer should understand what the fundamentals of Christianity are and adhere to them. The two words have been so misused, and abused by others, that they believe embracing the one is the same as embracing the other. That is, unless you embrace fundamentalism, you do not embrace the fundamentals; and if you believe the fundamentals you will agree with the fundamentalist. The sooner one realizes that the two are not the same, the better things will be.

Fundamentalism, in many cases, is not a good thing. The Muslim terrorists are fundamentalist, and most Muslims would condemn them if they didn’t fear for their life. Some sects of the Mormon Church are fundamentalist and practice polygamy. The word, fundamentalism, has fallen into ill repute in recent years because of its fanaticism and abuse by many.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Don’t allow control-freaks to abuse or confuse Fundamentalism and Christian fundamentals. The two are different.[/perfectpullquote]

Fundamentalism, in some circles, has degenerated to an attitude and appearance, instead of a body of sound doctrine. It has departed from its original intent and use. The proof of this statement is demonstrated by the reaction of those who will not allow you to differ or depart from the methods embraced and used by them. Even though you adhere to all the fundamentals of Christianity, if you embrace any methods not approved; you are no longer a fundamentalist. This shows their confusion concerning the two. They cannot make the distinction, or they fear to do so. Also, they want to control as many pastors as possible.

The fundamentals of aviation have never changed; the two are, thrust and lift. It is a long way from the Wright Brothers to the Boeing Dreamliner, but the principles are the same. If given a choice, between the two, the reader will choose to ride the Dreamliner every time.

The pastor must never abandon the fundamentals of Christianity. He should be clear of what they are. But he must also never fear to improve or change ministry methods when needed. You are no less spiritual or less fundamental by having air-conditioning, padded pews, modern sound system, background music, flushing toilets, drums, choir robes, guitars, overhead screen, podcast, bookstore, a kitchen, or a nursery. It is not a sign of spirituality if you reject any or all of these, it’s a sign of stupidity.

Fundamentalism and Christian fundamentals are two different things. So, don’t allow control-freaks to abuse or confuse the two in order to intimidate or control you. Do you really know who you are? (For real insight on this issue, see my book; Standards and The Standard).

THE SONG AND THE SERMON

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SONG SERVICE

confused business manBy Ken Blue

Perhaps the best example of “the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing,” is in the lack of coordination between the Pastor’s sermon and the music director’s selection of songs. Seldom do these two connect the music with the message. I have watched song leaders pick songs for the service five minutes before a service begins.

Pastor, if you perform a wedding, the party selects wedding songs and music to match the occasion. If you serve at a funeral, the songs match the event. At a birthday party, they sing “Happy Birthday.” So, why is it that most song services in church have no connection to the sermon? The reason, no doubt, is ignorance of its importance or a lack of planning by the pastor. Many pastors have no idea what their sermon subject will be a week from Sunday. That may be the real cause of the problem.

Everything that happens in the service should reinforce and support the purpose of the sermon. This includes all the services. That means that the Pastor must plan all sermons or subjects weeks before they are preached. He must then meet with the music director and see that the songs support the sermon.

How is it at your church? Do the songs have any real purpose or are they just filler? Are the songs selected because they are familiar and old favorites, or do they promote the theme of your message? Think about it, and see how next Sunday’s selection matches the goal of your message.

One way to correct this problem is for the pastor to fill out the order of service and see that all involved in the music ministry receive it. Include in it the song selection. If you are doing a theme for a month, ensure that everyone, who needs to know, is informed of what you expect. The more people you have supporting your objective, the more likely you are to achieve it, and the more you communicate, the more they will be able to help you.

THE LITTLE RED PILL

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By Ken Blue

I went to the doctor; I was feeling ill.
He wrote a prescription for a little red pill.
He said, “Take one of these, as pains begin;
And if it returns, you may take another again.”

I took the pills as instructed above;
And in just a few months, we were deeply in love.
Now I looked forward to each new day;
And the little red pills that take my pain away.

I think the pills are unfaithful to me;
Little by little, serious changes I see.
I said to the doctor, “What is the deal?”
He answered me firmly, “It’s the little red pill.”

So, I cut her loose, no more pills for me.
They ask me how I did it; I said “cold turkey.”
Life is full of it hurts, and pains, and ills;
But the answer may not be in little red pills.

Be careful of choices in life you make,
Of the roads that you choose and the paths you may take.
God may be speaking to you when you’re ill;
So be wary of friendship with the little red pill.