by Tony Miano (as told to Frank Turk)
The brief 3rd part of Tony's address on the troubling trend of Nomad Evangelists. You can find part 1 here, and part 2 here.
Those of you who were looking for the audio can find it here:
You can download the audio here.
Nomadism among Christian evangelists is a very serious problem. It may not be as widespread as I fear it is; but I do believe it is spreading like a cancer within the Church.
Those with whom I have spoken who have insisted that they only answer to God and who could rightly be categorized as a Christian nomad tend to be the same people who typically never see themselves as doing anything wrong or as ever being wrong about what they believe. The ramifications for such a mindset are frightening.
If you find yourself in the category of the nomadic street evangelist, please bring yourself under the biblical, godly leadership of a local church as soon as you can. No, the Body of Christ, which is segmented into local assemblies, is not perfect; but it is the only model for biblical leadership and accountability the Christian has. Submit to the authority of the local church and her leadership. If you see yourself as one who only answers to God in this life, you are wrong. You are wrong in the sense that God has made provision for the accountability of His people, through the biblical leadership of the local church.
"[Submit] to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Refusing to submit to godly, biblical leadership is symptomatic of pride, arrogance, and quite possibly evidence that you yourself are unregenerate. You may be suffering from the very same deadly spiritual condition of which you are so very quick to accuse other Christians of suffering—false conversion.
On the other hand, submitting to godly, biblical leadership, even when one does not agree with that leadership on every point is evidence of humility. For the Christian, submitting to other Christians, whether peers or leaders, is one way the Christian shows reverence for Christ. If, as some insist, they "answer to God," then they will keep His Word and submit to the authority of and accountability to the local church, which the Lord has given for the good of His people.
If there any nomads reading this, I adjure you, I beg you (not by the power vested in me, but by the power of God’s Word), repent. If you insist that you love God and you keep His commands, if you insist you love your neighbor as yourself, yet you have separated yourself from His Church, repent. You are deluding yourself and playing the part of the hypocrite. It may be you who one-day hears the Lord say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23b). I don’t want that for you. I don’t want that for anyone.
Nomadism, as it pertains to evangelists and the local church, is a disease. Don’t catch it.
The brief 3rd part of Tony's address on the troubling trend of Nomad Evangelists. You can find part 1 here, and part 2 here.
Those of you who were looking for the audio can find it here:
You can download the audio here.
Those with whom I have spoken who have insisted that they only answer to God and who could rightly be categorized as a Christian nomad tend to be the same people who typically never see themselves as doing anything wrong or as ever being wrong about what they believe. The ramifications for such a mindset are frightening.
If you find yourself in the category of the nomadic street evangelist, please bring yourself under the biblical, godly leadership of a local church as soon as you can. No, the Body of Christ, which is segmented into local assemblies, is not perfect; but it is the only model for biblical leadership and accountability the Christian has. Submit to the authority of the local church and her leadership. If you see yourself as one who only answers to God in this life, you are wrong. You are wrong in the sense that God has made provision for the accountability of His people, through the biblical leadership of the local church.
"[Submit] to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Refusing to submit to godly, biblical leadership is symptomatic of pride, arrogance, and quite possibly evidence that you yourself are unregenerate. You may be suffering from the very same deadly spiritual condition of which you are so very quick to accuse other Christians of suffering—false conversion.
On the other hand, submitting to godly, biblical leadership, even when one does not agree with that leadership on every point is evidence of humility. For the Christian, submitting to other Christians, whether peers or leaders, is one way the Christian shows reverence for Christ. If, as some insist, they "answer to God," then they will keep His Word and submit to the authority of and accountability to the local church, which the Lord has given for the good of His people.
If there any nomads reading this, I adjure you, I beg you (not by the power vested in me, but by the power of God’s Word), repent. If you insist that you love God and you keep His commands, if you insist you love your neighbor as yourself, yet you have separated yourself from His Church, repent. You are deluding yourself and playing the part of the hypocrite. It may be you who one-day hears the Lord say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23b). I don’t want that for you. I don’t want that for anyone.
Nomadism, as it pertains to evangelists and the local church, is a disease. Don’t catch it.
7 comments:
This applies, I believe, also to those who may attend a church that has no official membership roles. A lack of discipline in a local church can be as deadly to an evangelist as having no church at all.
Hello Tony,
You make some good points in your post but you left some serious questions that arise out of other scriptures that seem to contradict your conclusion of every Christian's position in the authority structure of the church. Since Frank seems to be the one that is going to defend your post I will direct these questions to Frank. Hi, Frank, this is Frank.
I have three scriptural questions that arise from your conclusions in your posts on Nomadism.
How does the "priesthood of the believers" doctrine spoken of in 2 Peter 2:9 KJV fit into the "Covering / Pastoral authority" you expounded on in this study?
What was Paul talking about in 2 Cor 1:24 KJV when He said that "even them as apostles didn't have dominian over the believers faith"?
Not for that we have dominian over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand (2 Cor 1:24KJV).
Paul even said that they were not anything special over anybody else in the body of Christ.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to EVRY MAN? I have planted, Apollos watered: but God that giveth the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase (1 Cor 3:5-7 KJV).
As far as giving honor to other members of the body of Christ, and yes pastors, apostles, evangilist, pastors and teachers are just members of the body like every other true believer. They are not the head of the beliver (1 Cor 11:3 KJV). Their job in the body of Christ is not anymore important than other members of the body of Christ, it's just different. It carries a leadership role. Paul said in 1 Cor 12:23 that we are to give the most honor unto those who are considered less honorable in the body.
And before I am accused of being a "nomad believer" for even questioning your conclusions in this post, I am a member in good standing in the Church of the Firstborn whose church membership roll is located here:
Hebrews 12:23 KJV....
In His Service,
F. Whittenburg
Thanks again Frank for your words of wisdom,
I was saved in a Pentecostal church but due to no longer agreeing with some of their doctrine I moved on, it was a very rocky time for me and my life was that of the "prodigal son". I have since been involved with a Baptist church but prior to joining as a member I addressed some of their membership clauses which were obviously contrary to the Word of God, hence I did not join. But I must add that my Christian life has not been that of a model Christian. I would be classified as a “bruised reed” or more like the “smoking flax”. I accept my many failures as a Christian, but does that mean I should accept even more error, or is it just another smokescreen to keep me from finding obedience for my life. It has been about seven years and I am still searching out an answer for my dilemma. Does one join a church even if one's conscience resists what is obviously not found in God's Word or is it better to except the error so that one can align oneself with God instruction, which is obviously to be part of His body, the church!
I would appreciate your advice on my question,
Thanking you,
Blessings in Christ,
Tyrone
Hello Tyrone,
I don't know if you were wanting an answer from Frank Turk or me, but I will be happy to address your question.
First you need to understand the distinction between being a member of the Church (body of Christ) and a member of a local congragation which makes up just part of the body of Christ.
When you were born again, you became a eternal member of the Church. Your name was in the membership roll that is written in Heaven (Hebrews 12:23 KJV). This may shock many pastors, but the local congregation does not control the "roll" of the true church. There is an old hymn I like to sing "When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there".
I actually visited a congregation where a guy left and the pastor said he "struck his name from the roll of the church".
The Catholic church still embraces the belief that the Church decides who gets to join the body of Christ. By partaking of the Eurcarist (Lord's supper)you are at that time a partaker of the body of Christ, the only problem is, the priest gets to control who gets to partake of Christ by offering you communion (Eucarist)or kicking you out of the body of Christ by denying you communion or "excommunicating" you thus condeming you to hell.
As a Protestant, I believe that we are joined to the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit recieved when we are "born again" (i.e. born of the Spirit). And at that time we are "sealed" by that very same Holy Spirit for all eternity.
You can grieve the Holy Spirit but you can't leave the Holy Spirit.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30 KJV).
Concerning your "Christian failings" you mention, Hebrews 12:5-8 KJV shows that sons and daughters of God can be disobedient and still be sons and daughters of God, because we are sons and daughters of God by the "spiritual newbirth" (born of the Spirit)and not by obedience. Obedience to God comes as a result and fruit of the spiritual newbirth and the Father's chastening.
God will not leave you forever wandering in the "wilderness", but you can use this time for learning. God will place you right where He needs you in the body. If you are in error right now, God will correct you (Hebrews 12:5-8 KJV).
I have a page on my website for "wilderness believers" that may help you during this time.
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/encouragement.html
I also address the "covering doctrine" in greater detail and "pastoral authority" and the true structure of the church that might help you find a good local congregation and Godly fellowship. You should find the answers you are looking for in one of these 5 these studies. They have about a 5 to 15 min. readtime.
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/thecoveringdoctrine.html
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/fivefoldministryerror.html
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/onesetman.html
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/highjackingcongregation.html
http: //www.christiannewbirth.com/awordofwarning.html
Team Pyro has alot of good resources also. I even hope one day that I am to be found worthy to be graced with an open letter from Frank Turk.
Hope this information helps......
In His Service,
F Whittenburg
Thanks "F",
I appreciate your input and I will have a look at those posts. I do however concur with much if not all the points you raise. My main concern is the parable of the talents when I look into the mirror of my life. If you are interested in what those concerns are? tyronearthur.blogspot.com
Thanks again
Blessings in Christ's glorious name
Tyrone
Hello Tyrone,
I read your blog on the parable of the talents and some of your other posts.
I think I can help with some advice for your dilemmia. If Teampyro, will allow it I would like to address this subject here because others might be wrestling with the same dilemma.
One glaring thing I noticed is your reference to Phillipians 2:12 (work out your own salvation with fear and trembleing) in your study on the parables of the talents.
In Christianity, salvation is the result of faith, while good works result in rewards in heaven (i.e. crowns, treasure, gifts, etc.).
Failure in Christian service is a performance issue, not one of salvation.
In the study of the parables of Jesus the key to fulfilling them was given by Jesus and found in Matthew 19:26KJV in the parable of the rich man.
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Jesus said,"without me you can do nothing".
The only reason you would fail at any part of Christian service is because you attempted to do something in the flesh that can only be accomplished by God's Spirit. In Christian service, it is God working in you and through you that pleases Him most.
For it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and do of his good pleasure. (Phillipians 2:13 KJV).
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, WORKING IN YOU that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20,21 KJV).
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesu unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them(Ephesians 2:10 KJV).
Christianity is Jesus Christ's ministry to the earth. It is a spiritual work and we are just a part of His ministry not the power of His ministry.It is not our responsability to somehow make Christianity "work". That is the job of the Holy Spirit.
Why would God condem you for failure at something only the Holy Spirit can accomplish in the first place? The Galatians tried it and Paul rebuked them for it.
Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3 KJV).
I think Jesus presented the parables of the kingdom as so hard for a unregenerated man hearing them to fulfill that it forces them unto grace and surrender to God as the only chance to fulfill them.
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Someone reading Jesus teaching on forgivness in the Lord's prayer, where forgivness by God was conditional on a like spirit within us, and find it impossible to forgive someone that hurt them thus blocking God's forgivness to them. Yet after Cavalry, God forgives us for Christ's sake, in spite of our unforgivness. It is called grace.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32 KJV).
What once God demanded from man (righteousness, good works, sacrifice, etc.), because of Jesus Christ, God now gives these things to man. Including what is presented in the parables. In the parable of the sower it is even Jesus Himself that is the one doing the sowing.
In my Christian service it is not me that does it. It is Christ in me doing it.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not us (2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV).
I think you are trying very hard to achieve a victory in your life that is already won.
In His Service
F Whittenburg
Hello Brother "F",
Thanks you for your faithfulness and encouraging words, it has been well received and I am grateful to my Father for the reminder, be blessed brother as you continue to grow in Him.
In His service and to Him be glory alone.
A brother in Christ,
Tyrone
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