Greetings from the librarian for simplechurch.org. Remember that Jesus is the word and that readers will be leaders. Even the renowned apostle wanted his books. He reminded his associate to be sure and bring them when he came, along with the parchments.
Dr. David Lim is the President of the Asian School for Development and Cross-cultural Studies (ASDECS), which provides training programs for transformational missions.
He is also the President of China Ministries International-Philippines (CMI) that sends Filipino missionaries to China.
He also serves as the Executive Board chairman of Lausanne Philippines, and on the Steering Committee of SEANET. He was the National Director of Phil. Missions Association from 2011-2014.
He earned his Ph.D. Theology (New Testament) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, U.S.A.
By his kind permission we offer this important essay. Other papers can be found at https://asdecs.academia.edu/DavidLim
What happened? I would say that, in most cases, the funds eventually ran out. Funds which were primarily used for payment to a full-time religious professional.
Interestingly, the most formal and descriptive passage in the NT about church meetings, found in 1 Corinthians 14, allows for multiple participants. And also, we notice team leadership to be normative in the churches of earliest times, rather than the dependency upon a single leader.
source: answers.tv
An excellent essay - one never refuted - by an excellent scholar. It represents a needed shift in church structure. Churches need a team of pastors rather than one.
Though a Presbyterian source, many other denominations have muted "ruling elders" as well.
That aside, the scriptures require that every elder must be "apt to teach". 1 Timothy 3:2.
Only a few decades ago, a Christian identity was so common among Americans that it could almost be taken for granted. As recently as the early 1990s, about 90% of U.S. adults identified as Christians. But today, about two-thirds of adults are Christians.6 The change in America’s religious composition is largely the result of large numbers of adults switching out of the religion in which they were raised to become religiously unaffiliated. Source: Pew Research Center
What will it take to reverse this trend?
Allen challenged the missionary methods of his day. And wrote from his extensive experiences and travels. Considered to be a classic work on this subject. First appeared in 1927.
This is a must-read book. Ignorance concerning this matter is quite prevalent and the negative effects are vast.
A needed study of the most quoted passage in Scripture, by Scripture itself. Trust me, your hopes for this earth and the Kingdom of God will be elevated. In this world - Jesus and his gospel shall surely prevail. Never doubt it.
The author - is he competent to write such a book? Yes indeed, he is one of a few scholars who has compiled a complete concordance of the New Testament.
Thousands of years ago, the leaders of this world were "taking counsel together against the LORD and against his anointed." Psalm 2. This still occurs on a daily basis and is becoming a huge impediment for the cause of world missions. Thankfully not an impediment which cannot and will not be overcome.
This video is about "the rest of the story." Many Canadians heard the story - but according to the comments section where this video appeared, many of them were angered and claimed to have heard nothing bout the "rest of the story", as Paul Harvey used to say.
Video is courtesy of Sky News Australia.
Every atom and every empty space testifies to its creator. Almighty God created the earth for our good and his glory. And He put mankind in it and over it. Now he is allowing his church to share the good news of his grace and creativity. He could have sent angels to perform the task...
Conversion of the world... now that's a phrase seldom heard. Much less seen on the cover of a book.
Our purpose is twofold. First, to encourage every Christian to involve themselves in sharing the good news with others. And secondly, to promote the the hope of promised victory regarding the future of God's Kingdom on the earth.
I posted this book in the category 'call and ordination' because neither is actually needed for this great work of leading others to the Living Water.