When a friend of mine told me how she is using her gift of discernment and passion for research to serve her church – with her pastor’s encouragement and blessing – I could not wait to share her story!
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Katie initially contacted me to ask permission to use my research materials as part of a notebook binder she is compiling on dangerous movements infecting the modern church. The book will be available in her church library for anyone to peruse. I could not be more excited for her and for her pastor, who is faithfully shepherding and protecting his precious flock. Here is her story:
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“My husband and I are very grateful to have a wonderful pastor who guards his sheep with the Word of God..
I recently read an article by Michelle Lesley about discernment being loving and gave it to my pastor to read. I approached our pastor humbly asking him if I could put together a binder of false teaching, teachers, and ideologies that threaten the church. This was his response:
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I just read your email on my phone. My initial reaction to this is positive. I think it would be beneficial. Let me give it some thought and prayer and talk with the deacons about it. My only caution would be to always vet the sources and be sure to quote all sources. I know many years ago I made a statement in a sermon that I thought I had gotten from a reliable source. An individual approached me later who had more knowledge on the topic and suggested I go to a different source and, sure enough, I had it wrong. Since then, I not only make sure that I have a source but make sure to the best of my ability that it is a reliable source..Having a folder in the library with this information would give people the opportunity two independently go in whenever they have time and do a quicker research of the individual. And, like you said, since you enjoy doing the research oh, this would be a great ministry for you to be involved in. Also, it is a gentle way to show people some proof that they may not be aware of.
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Our pastor is the only pastor we have and I know he does not have time to do research all of the bad theology out there. I also spoke with my husband about it and he agreed that it’s a good idea, this way I have a lot of accountability. The resource as stated above will be in our library. There are a lot of women in our church who don’t do their research and follow false teachers. I’m praying this will be a helpful source to our church and we can keep the wolves out.
Could this work in your church? Comments are open.
I’ve done that years ago for myself and my wife but it really needs updating. I came out of weird and sometimes hyper Pentecostal churches and when I did I wrote a lot of stuff down. But now with Rick Warren and the Rob bells in the sbc it isn’t confined to the Pentecostal.
Hi Amy! It has been awhile since your last post. I have missed it. As a pastor I would love to have someone offer to do something like this. I think the pastor gave very wise counsel about vetting all sources because one bad one will spoil the whole report. Losing credibility is tough to overcome. I do hope she is prepared for the backlash that will come from those who follow the false teachers.
I don’t find you to be all that discerning. You still haven’t explained what the problem with Servus Christi is and you posted a total propaganda piece that exhorts ministries with some questionable ideas while disparaging some good ones. I doesn’t seem that you personally went through and examined the “article ” against the people it mentioned, what they teach and what the Bible says. You should be ready to defend your position with scripture, especially calling yourself a Berean. So again I ask why wouldn’t you recommend Servus Christi- with scripture please.
I would check out this video by Fighting for the Faith regarding Servus Christi he always uses scripture in regards to dealing with others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsWkm4s4q6o . I know the responses that he is given and some of the issues with Servus Christi IF you actually want to know the issue I would look there.
Do you guys actually believe this stuff? Do you actually believe you’re “defending sheep”? The cognitive dissonance that must be present in your psychology is astounding. I recommend therapy ASAP. There are narratives playing in your mind that have to be addressed before you do anymore damage to yourselves and others.
Thank you for writing the article Amy! Discernment is very much needed in our churches and I’m excited to present the information. I already get the stink eye from some people at church for speaking out, but that’s okay 🙂 I was just speaking with my husband and put a disclosure in front of my binder. Presenting information does not mean we endorse the persons teaching or ministries. No one is going to be 100% perfect, but they can be correct about a certain topic. Even the Catholics get the trinity right.
I really like that!! I want to do the same thing. Thank you God Bless You
if you want to be discerning, for God’s sake, check out the perversion of your precious, sleazy Rick Warren and his kind…….
O! Wait, YOU ARE THE APOSTATES!!!
Talk about false movements!!
I was tricked by your crafty title.
Turn to Jesus for salvation, please.!!!