Stan Posted December 5, 2007 Posted December 5, 2007 Ever notice this? Church splits....Seem to happen, not among new Christians, they are often puzzled over mountains made of differing opinions... but life loungers, or close to that... the longer they have been Christians the meaner they are... Even here, read some of the text between 2 groups of though.... Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Moderators lazarus Posted December 5, 2007 Moderators Posted December 5, 2007 Here's some stats I shared with my church a few weeks ago about conflicts/spits in churches from Barna.org Matters of doctrine or cultural issues ranked low compared to power and personal preference. When we asked pastors to name the most likely cause, again control (44%) outdistanced the other factors, with vision/direction a remote second (22%). Size matters: We found this especially true in congregations of 200 or less. Some 49% of pastors of smaller churches said control is the number one problem, compared to less than one-third (31%) of churches of 500 or more. "Newbies" have little power or control and therefore are not likely to be involved. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
carolaa Posted December 5, 2007 Posted December 5, 2007 Here's some stats I shared with my church a few weeks ago about conflicts/spits in churches from Barna.org Matters of doctrine or cultural issues ranked low compared to power and personal preference. When we asked pastors to name the most likely cause, again control (44%) outdistanced the other factors, with vision/direction a remote second (22%). Size matters: We found this especially true in congregations of 200 or less. Some 49% of pastors of smaller churches said control is the number one problem, compared to less than one-third (31%) of churches of 500 or more. "Newbies" have little power or control and therefore are not likely to be involved. Wow, those stats are very true from my own observation. I wonder what he means by "members," though. I saw a church fight in a congregation with about 350 members, but in reality it was closer to 200 or fewer active members. I'm guessing he means active members. Absolutely, power and control are by far the main issues. I think that's one reason more pastors are interested in church planting nowadays. It is often way easier to work with and train new, excited Christians than it is to lead established churches. Quote
Woody Posted December 5, 2007 Posted December 5, 2007 Quote: It is often way easier to work with and train new, excited Christians than it is to lead established churches. OH ... HOW TRUE .... I could say more but will resist. Oh forget it ... I will throw caution to the wind. The new ones are still searching for truth. The old ones are comfortable with their old discoveries or the discoveries of another author. Quote: "But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God's word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion." 5T 706-7 " When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition and worship they know not what." 5T 707 Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators lazarus Posted December 5, 2007 Moderators Posted December 5, 2007 Quote: It is often way easier to work with and train new, excited Christians than it is to lead established churches. A pastor friend of mine says "its easier to give birth to a baby rather than raise a dead body" Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Clio Posted December 5, 2007 Posted December 5, 2007 Absolutely, power and control are by far the main issues. They are the main issues for Abba's adversary also. Clio Quote A heart where He alone has first place.
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