Expert: Phillip Senn - 7/5/2006

Question
God Bless you Phillip,
I have a lot on my mind today. I have been saved and a member of the same church for nearly nine years now. I have grown in the word and In the knowledge of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Lately Iv'e been asking a lot of questions concerning all that's going on in "christiandom". when I look at the condition of the church and whats being taught, I can't help but to say..."it's not lining up with the word". People are worshiping pastors, who have become the latest superstars of television along with their multi million dollar homes and boastings of how God has blessed them because of their faithfulness. I can't help but wonder if people really care about souls or do they care more about numbers...which equals dollars? I have become grieved in my soul through what's been called Faith and Church. Worship has been reduced to slow tempoed songs that are dry and without substance. Chiors are competing against chiors. Homosexuality in the church ( especially in music ministry ) has been overlooked because of gifts and talents. Everytime you turn on christian television there's somebody telling you to send in $58 in obedience to Gods word. It seems like most of whats preached is seasoned with personality and man's own private interpretation of what he believes the scripture is saying. Even in my own church I am seeing leaders with pride issues along with the mistreatment of fellow believers. I despise this false doctrine that tells people that its time to get our "stuff" meaning, its time to run after money and material things. What ever happened to holiness, love, charity and other Godly fruits. I believe my pastor is truly saved but sometimes he teaches scripture in ways that I believe are mans ways and not Gods ways. How come people in the church have the mindset that says..." if my pastor says it's God then that settles it"? I believe that even pastors can make a mistake. My pastor has taught and still teaches that Adam had a glorified body before the fall but according to the scriptures he was a terrestrial being ( meaning he was of the earth...earthy) but the last Adam was the Lord from heaven (which is celestial). The bible says that Adam ( natural man) was first and that we shall bare ( meaning future tense ) the image of the heavenly ( Jesus, who was afterwards ).I just want to be around the truth. It's so hard to even find good bible teaching ministries to watch on television. It seems like ministries are more concerned about church growth instead of growth in the areas of holiness and Godliness. I need Godly advise as to what I should do as it pertains to my church. All of whats been taught was fine for my initial growth but now it seems like my growth is no longer because of my pastor but its because of the word that I study on my own time. I really love my pastor and the congregation where I am but theres so much more in me and I just dont believe that where I am is enough any more. You are the only person alive that I have told this to but I know that there are others out there who understand my situation. Please assist me.
your Brother in Christ ....W. Scott

Answer
Because this question has a lot of information that needs to be sifted through, please bear with me as I take some time to sift through it and seek God's direction on how to answer. I'll post a follow-up response as soon as possible.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

I apologize for not finishing my assignment last night. It was getting late, and my mind was wandering. I will try to answer this as best as I can.

There is much in "Christianity" today that doesn't even come close to Biblical Christianity. I agree that the "name it and claim it" doctrine is far from Scriptural. It is a false teaching that is warned about in Scripture. Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your  treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I try not to judge based upon the size of the church, the Pastor's wealth, etc. There are large and small churches with the truth, just as there are large and small churches with false doctrine. The same can be true concerning the Pastor's monetary situation. I have found though, as you mentioned, that even saved Pastor's make serious mistakes.

When I find myself in a situation that I find Scriptural reasons for not agreeing with something taught, I go to that individual that is teaching that, and ask them to consider other possible understandings of what they taught, taking the time to explain, in detail, my concerns.

If it is a doctrinal issue that is one of the fundamentals of the faith, I stand firm. If it is a doctrine that would have no bearing on the salvation of man's soul, I am less rigid in how I deal with that brother.

As far as TV ministers, I generally stay away from "evangelists" or "ministers". I usually try to watch men that have a proven track record as Pastors. I prefer Dr. Charles Stanley (First Baptist, Atlanta), the late Dr. Adrian Rogers (Love Worth Finding Ministries), former Pastor of Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, or the Pastor of Second Baptist in Houston, Dr. Ed Yound. These are men whose ministries I have found to be Bible Based, sound in doctrine, and walking a walk of purity, as far as I know.

Even though I am Baptist, I also like Dr. D. James Kennedy, Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. There are others also that I endorse. I generally stay away from the "TBN Crowd".

Be assured that the primary reason for not listening to anyone, is the doctrinal positions they take. Billy Graham is a Baptist evangelist. I love him in the Lord, but he has taken some positions doctrinally that I cannot endorse. Because of that, I cannot endorse his ministry, even though he is well accepted by many.

In all of this, I must maintain personal devotions. I must recognize that I am never completely correct in all I say and do. I must guard against any form of self-righteousness, while at the same time recognizing that I have an obligation NOT to give ear to false doctrine. It is difficult at best to have differing opinions about an issue with someone else, and not be lifted up with pride that would cause me not to listen to their side of the situation. Once both sides have been examined, and God will not release me from my position, I then must take a stand, even if it means finding another place to worship.

I hope this helps to guide you in your decisions. I also pray that God will provide answers that are more thorough than what I can provide here in this forum.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

PS. None of this is to be taken as personal attacks on any of those that I disagree with. It is simply a statement of how I deal with situations.