Paul B Thomas 
Why are good folks speaking out against good churches?
Maybe being good is no longer acceptable, Folks prefer truth that has substance than programmes that are just good. Folks are discovering both dogma from many sources and are seeing superficial well-worn teaching that no longer pulls the punch. Today the congregant knows as much as the pastor about most things, they can go online and know about preterism, historicism, trinitarianism and futurism and anyone’s ism and schism and when you don’t have a broad knowledge base of subjects you’re under attack from folks that may know more than you.
A pastor can only survive if he follows the road of the many. In order to move ahead of the crowd he has to confront his own beliefs with a willingess to re-educate and abandon dogma that no longer works and dishonors God. He has to ask, # Why do I believe what I declare week in and week out? #Are my beliefs a result of handed down doctrines or dogmas that come from folks who had them handed down to them? # What doctrinal prejudices have I and why? # Have I challenged my own assumptions lately? # Can I prove myself wrong?
It’s not rebellion by the crowd, just a revolution in which the preacher must be the first to change. It’s not a revolt by folks who no longer believe in God just a desire by those who want to live right, and know truth that has some substance, which of course is the essence of your own ability to lead. Good leaders always challenge their own assumptions and seek to prove themselves wrong first! That’s why they have the edge!
What challenges do you face?
Paul
(part 2 tomorrow)..
