The nervous compulsion to get things done is everywhere found among us; business plans, growth strategies and the like are all part of the pragmatism that drives many of our religious organisations. The pragmatic approach asks no embarrassing questions about the wisdom of what we are doing or even the morality of doing it; all is sacrificed on the altar of getting things done; it accepts our chosen ends as good and proper and casts about for the best means of getting them accomplished.
When it finds something that works, it soon finds a text to justify the chosen path, “consecrates” it to the Lord and plunges on full steam ahead. Soon a book is written, a DVD is released and the new paradigm is embraced by Churches everywhere, sweeping away any questions about their scriptural or moral validity. You can’t argue with success, they say; the system works, therefore it is good.
But success in what? Certainly not in advancing the cause of Christ, in teaching and encouraging believers to take up their cross and follow Him, in being salt and light to the world.
Christ must be restored to the place that is given to Him by the Father – Head of the assembly that is His Body. The separation of the Head from that which claims to be His Body is the consequence of false teaching, false prophets and false faith. We must restore to Jesus Christ the absolute right to control the activities of His Church.
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