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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.

PASTOR OR PUPPET

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ARE YOU A PASTOR OR A PUPPET?

puppet on stringBy Ken Blue

“…A bishop then must be blameless One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Timothy 3:2-5.

The Pastor must learn to wear many hats. He may not be gifted in all aspects of the ministry, but he must know what is needed and be able to lead gifted men and women into those areas. His call is to vision, oversight, and leadership. Not only must he be able to feed the church of God, he must be able to lead it.

The shepherd leads and directs the flock. He chooses the field or grazing area for it. He corrects, and he seeks those who have gone astray. He must care for the young and the old. The health and safety of the flock rest on his shoulders. Regardless of the condition of the church; the Pastor will be held accountable.

The Pastor should decide who his deacons will be. He sets the teaching and sermon agenda for the year. He chooses who will fill the pulpit when needed. He must see that the music, the announcements, and bulletin information harmonize with the purpose of his sermons. He must raise the money for needed ministry projects, and he will be accountable for how it is dispersed. In other words, the Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.

This does not mean that the Pastor makes every decision or that he is lord over the church. It means that someone must take full responsibility for the local church, and God has appointed the Pastor to that position.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.[/perfectpullquote]

The puppet, on the other hand, is one who is incapable or unwilling to make those decisions. He has strings attached to him, and those pulling the strings make the decisions for him. He is their puppet.

These strings come in many forms. Many times they are attached to the wife, and she gets her wishes done through the Pastor. Others, who may hold the strings, are the deacons, the finance committee, the administrative director, or a few outspoken church members. The strings used by these unruly people come in the form of policies and procedures. Or, they may be a complaint or grievance about a ministry leader or worker, and they push you to deal with it. Their goal is to eliminate that ministry or person, and get your fingerprints on their murder weapon. Don’t fall for it!

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Be a loving, leading Pastor.[/perfectpullquote]

If you are weak, seeking to accommodate those who hold the strings, and assuming you will not be held accountable, you are dead wrong. Be a loving, leading Pastor. You cannot abdicate your duties or responsibilities. Reflect now. Are you the Pastor or the puppet?

TARGET EVANGELISM

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ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIT YOUR TARGET

Bulls eyeBy Ken Blue

Target evangelism means that the church decides on whom they will target; then they structure buildings and ministries accordingly to reach that objective. Target evangelism does not mean you ignore or refuse to win others; it mean you select a certain location, ethnic group, or age group your church will continue to focus on.

Scripture teaches it. Scripture records that Jesus trained the Twelve and commanded them to target certain people. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6.

Jesus practiced it. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11. I am aware that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, but He only came to and ministered to a select people. Another example will show the same truth. “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. As we said before, this doesn’t mean that Jesus did not minister to others, but Israel was His target.

Paul practiced it. Paul practiced target evangelism throughout his ministry. Note what he says in Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. We see this strategy throughout Paul’s ministry. The first place Paul preached after his conversion was in a Jewish synagogue. “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Acts 9:20. We see this same pattern wherever he goes. Those who reject target evangelism must answer the question why Jesus, the disciples, and Paul practiced it.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.[/perfectpullquote]

The Holy Ghost practiced it. It mattered to the Holy Ghost to whom Paul and his companions went. “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Acts 16:6-7. One should ask why God would not allow Paul to go into Asia or Bithynia. Weren’t these souls just as valuable and precious as others? Of course they were, but God wanted Paul in Macedonia. Again, we ask why, if target evangelism in not a valid approach?

The reason the Holy Ghost sent Paul to Corinth was because He knew the people in that city would be more receptive to the gospel message. “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” Acts 18:10. In fact, Paul stayed eighteen months winning the lost and teaching them the Word of God. The Spirit had a target people and divine wisdom sent Paul to them.

Missionaries practice it. If missionaries are truly led by the Spirit to certain people and places, then God is targeting these people through His servants.

It is logical. Although the Spirit may not direct us as He did Paul, these examples and common sense dictates that every church should purposely practice target evangelism. Churches must have children and youth programs, but unless young families are brought into the church, most of the children will disappear. Every church should have, as its purpose, to bring families from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. McDonald’s is wiser, in their planning, than most churches!

The wise pastor will target young families for several reasons. They need salvation. They are easier to indoctrinate, and you don’t have to reeducate them. It is easier to mold young people than it is to mend older ones. They have young children to grow up in the church. They have energy and are eager to serve. They are the ones who go to Bible College and the mission fields. They add new blood and excitement to the ministry.

The reason many pastors do not aim at a specific target is their fear of missing? Aim at nothing, and you will hit it every time. Win everyone you can, but follow the example of Jesus, Paul, and the Holy Spirit. Do you have a definitive target yet?

SHOULD CHRISTIANS SAVE MONEY

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WISDOM REGARDING MONEY

moneyBy Ken Blue

The Bible may have more to say about money than any other subject. The reason could be because of man’s love for it, and the wickedness perpetrated by many to possess it. The love of money is the root of all evil. We observe this mostly in big business and big government. Wealth and riches should never be the goal of life. Scripture states that many of God’s people have erred from the faith, and brought nothing but sorrow and grief to themselves and those they come in contact with because of their aspiration for money.

On the other hand, God has some positive things to say about the wisdom, the necessity, the value of saving money and how we use it. A good steward will not be greedy for money, nor will he squander it. The believer is a steward of all God gives him and must conduct himself accordingly to be obedient.

I have heard pastors preach against saving money. They tell themselves and their congregation that saving money is a lack of faith and that they should be putting their money in heaven. This teaching and attitude is not scriptural nor is it an act of faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. That teaching is unscriptural and foolish.

Listed below are several proverbs written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived:

  • “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. Proverbs 15:6.
  • A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22.
  • Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19.
  • There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Proverbs 21:20.
  • Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11.
  • He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Proverbs 10:5. 24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28.”

It would take volumes to completely deal with the subject of money, but the wise pastor will prepare financially for his church and for his family. He will also help his church members to do the same. It is not a sin to make all the money you can; if you do it honestly. However, you must also be willing to give away all you can for the cause of Christ and save all you can for the future. There is no conflict between these three.

WHEN TO STAND AND WHEN TO YIELD

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KNOWING WHEN TO YIELD

yield signBy Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

When one reads all that Paul had to say about circumcision, the above verse should shock him back into reality and give him a backbone that has the ability to bend. If we compare this verse with those in Romans and Galatians, we are hard pressed to reconcile them, but it can be done.

Dogmatism causes one to be unclear about what is important and what is most important. It was important to Paul that circumcision not be added to the gospel for salvation. But if circumcision would open the door so he could give the plan of salvation, he would do it.

The question is: what will your religion allow you to do? What traditions, standards, and assumptions would you disregard in order to open the door of salvation to others? Paul knew when to stand and when to yield. Do you?