Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/30/2010

Question
My daughter is Methodist and wants to move her membership to a church called New Spring Church in Anderson SC. There belief is when you join you will be a owner not a member. The bible tells us we do not own Gods house. What do you think about this?

Answer
Hi Wanda,

Thanks for this great question.  I am so sorry for my late response.  I believe that the Pastor is probably talking about the fact that the church member has a vote on how the church will spend its money and who they will vote to be deacon or pastor.  Acts 6 and Acts 15 tell us about local churches deciding church matters by the vote of the congregation.  The Bible does not support rule from a Diocees or Synod, so I think that this is what the pastor was trying to communicate.  It is obvious we cannot own the Church proper, it belongs to God, but as members, we are stewards of it.

I hope that this helps you.  Again, I am very sorry I was so late with this.

In Christ
Pastor Don