At the 1-hour mark, Michael Miller, when you were discussing the problem of defining "success" by church growth, vs. the faithfulness of growing people/disciples - spot on! Have nothing to do with anyone who is in the business of empire-building.
This is resonating so much with me. This does not just apply to church environments. It also applies to marriage under this type of system. Especially when the narcissistic person is plugged into one of these organizations.
Thanks for this. I’m so thankful that you are speaking truth and common sense. I pray God uses it to bring some pretty major reformation in particular the charismatic church.
This is some great relevant content. I've heard of others speaking on spiritual abuse and this has such a different perspective. I deff enjoy it and will sub your content as I like hearing the convo style of format.
You are ONLY responsible for your own healing and for the truth you know. Blame and shame to those who capitalize and take advantage of simple people with good intentions. Blame is on them !! I will never ever allow that their responsiblity will be on my shoulders... guilt and shame is on them, I will not be their projection, period!
Thank you for speaking up! It seems that Mike has been studying REDEEMING POWER by Dr. Diane Langberg. Only those who have been the recipient of abu$& understand. 💔
I'd like to mention that spiritual abuse does happen at other places and w/ other leaders. It won't be confined to an established religion. Some practitioners do also abuse power. It goes with the values and morals of the leaders and teachers. It really depends on the agenda of said individuals. Sometimes some people power trip because people like the feeling of having ability to affect things, others, and situations.
Interesting conversation. Michael - I would only challenge you on one point you made, that elders must be teachers. I dont think this is the case, if you mean having the gift of teaching and standing up in front of the congregation to do formal teaching. You referred, I think, to 1 Timothy 3: "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect." This list does not describe giftings or abilities. Rather it is about the personal character expected of someone who wants to be an elder/overseer, the sort of person Paul envisages for such a role. Im sure you would agree that it is not a gift to not get drunk, or be self-controlled (actually a fruit of the Spirit, not a gift) or not to be greedy. Paul continues in the same vein about the character he expects of deacons. Note that Paul introduces these character-traits/behaviours as 'noble'. That is a word that does indeed apply to such a person. I think when Paul here refers to 'be able to teach' he is referring more to leading by example, thus teaching others how they should behave by their own behaviours and correcting them if they stray (which may include basic Christian beliefs), rather than in a formal teaching setting such as speaking to the congregation on a Sunday morning. It simply doesnt make sense to say that to be an elder you must also be a teacher, at least in the formal sense and of being gifted as such, as this contradicts what Paul goes on to say in chp 5 OF THE SAME LETTER, when he says "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. " By definition, Paul is saying here that only some elders preach or teach. So with respect, I think you are incorrect to believe elders must also be teachers, in gifting, but rather they should be those who direct the affairs of the church, some of whom may be preachers and/or teachers. You may currently be preventing those who would qualify as an elder per Paul from holding that office - pause for thought! This channel probably doesnt allow weblinks, but could I suggest you read Kenneth Berding's short article on this "Does an Elder Have to be “Able to Teach?” (1 Timothy 3:2)" which I think is useful. By the way, from what I have seen of you on Remnant Radio, you are a great asset to the church as a whole.
Agreed. My brother is an elder at his church and an incredible Godly man and leader however he is not a teacher - but he has knowledge and understanding
Everyone talks about 1 Tim 5.19 as though that puts pastors in a special position. Not so' 2 cor 13.1 makes it clear that in similar circumstances, church members who are not leaders are to get the same privileges. In fact, it even seems more strict: two witnesses PER fact, but both texts are merely based on Deut 19....and the requirement for establishing if something happened or not.
Much as I wanted to listen to this, the host’s mic was so muffled that I simply could not make it past 34:45. Sorry, but keep up the good work content-wise.
Matthew 23:8 Apostles = sent one, and then look at what they went through. We have to get away from silo ministries and let the fullness of Christ dwell amongst us, all operating in our gifting.
At the 1-hour mark, Michael Miller, when you were discussing the problem of defining "success" by church growth, vs. the faithfulness of growing people/disciples - spot on! Have nothing to do with anyone who is in the business of empire-building.
About their "vision for the church", you are absolutely right. Vision is here 2000 years ago...💯
Yep mic problems. It’s fixed in future episodes. Thanks!
Such an important discussion! Thank you
This is resonating so much with me. This does not just apply to church environments. It also applies to marriage under this type of system. Especially when the narcissistic person is plugged into one of these organizations.
Very true
MUCH needed in the body of Christ
Thx Micheal
`this is so good. confirmed so much for me. thank you both x
Now that I have hit up most of this vid I have to say this is packed FULL of amazing teaching. love it!
Wow, thank you!
Thanks for this. I’m so thankful that you are speaking truth and common sense. I pray God uses it to bring some pretty major reformation in particular the charismatic church.
Seems to be everywhere- not just among the charismatic.
This is some great relevant content. I've heard of others speaking on spiritual abuse and this has such a different perspective. I deff enjoy it and will sub your content as I like hearing the convo style of format.
You are ONLY responsible for your own healing and for the truth you know. Blame and shame to those who capitalize and take advantage of simple people with good intentions. Blame is on them !! I will never ever allow that their responsiblity will be on my shoulders... guilt and shame is on them, I will not be their projection, period!
Oh boy do I know what this feels like.
It’s a painful experience. Hope you have recovered since!
Thank you for speaking up! It seems that Mike has been studying REDEEMING POWER by Dr. Diane Langberg. Only those who have been the recipient of abu$& understand. 💔
Sadly I’ve even heard it preached from a pulpit “church hurt isn’t real”, but those who have experienced it know how traumatic it can be
I'd like to mention that spiritual abuse does happen at other places and w/ other leaders. It won't be confined to an established religion. Some practitioners do also abuse power. It goes with the values and morals of the leaders and teachers. It really depends on the agenda of said individuals. Sometimes some people power trip because people like the feeling of having ability to affect things, others, and situations.
It happens in families. It’s huge in the bill gothard circles.
Interesting conversation.
Michael - I would only challenge you on one point you made, that elders must be teachers. I dont think this is the case, if you mean having the gift of teaching and standing up in front of the congregation to do formal teaching.
You referred, I think, to 1 Timothy 3:
"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect."
This list does not describe giftings or abilities. Rather it is about the personal character expected of someone who wants to be an elder/overseer, the sort of person Paul envisages for such a role. Im sure you would agree that it is not a gift to not get drunk, or be self-controlled (actually a fruit of the Spirit, not a gift) or not to be greedy. Paul continues in the same vein about the character he expects of deacons. Note that Paul introduces these character-traits/behaviours as 'noble'. That is a word that does indeed apply to such a person. I think when Paul here refers to 'be able to teach' he is referring more to leading by example, thus teaching others how they should behave by their own behaviours and correcting them if they stray (which may include basic Christian beliefs), rather than in a formal teaching setting such as speaking to the congregation on a Sunday morning.
It simply doesnt make sense to say that to be an elder you must also be a teacher, at least in the formal sense and of being gifted as such, as this contradicts what Paul goes on to say in chp 5 OF THE SAME LETTER, when he says "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. " By definition, Paul is saying here that only some elders preach or teach.
So with respect, I think you are incorrect to believe elders must also be teachers, in gifting, but rather they should be those who direct the affairs of the church, some of whom may be preachers and/or teachers. You may currently be preventing those who would qualify as an elder per Paul from holding that office - pause for thought!
This channel probably doesnt allow weblinks, but could I suggest you read Kenneth Berding's short article on this "Does an Elder Have to be “Able to Teach?” (1 Timothy 3:2)" which I think is useful.
By the way, from what I have seen of you on Remnant Radio, you are a great asset to the church as a whole.
Agreed. My brother is an elder at his church and an incredible Godly man and leader however he is not a teacher - but he has knowledge and understanding
Everyone talks about 1 Tim 5.19 as though that puts pastors in a special position. Not so' 2 cor 13.1 makes it clear that in similar circumstances, church members who are not leaders are to get the same privileges. In fact, it even seems more strict: two witnesses PER fact, but both texts are merely based on Deut 19....and the requirement for establishing if something happened or not.
Much as I wanted to listen to this, the host’s mic was so muffled that I simply could not make it past 34:45. Sorry, but keep up the good work content-wise.
Thanks! That was the first episode, been fixed in the more recent ones
DARVO- it happen to me in 2018. I was sued by my former "pastor"
I’m so sorry that happened to you
Great material but the poor audio quality of the interviewer side made it difficult to follow
I second this
Matthew 23:8 Apostles = sent one, and then look at what they went through. We have to get away from silo ministries and let the fullness of Christ dwell amongst us, all operating in our gifting.
I’ve no idea what or where or ahi you are talking about ?
Which part of the podcast are you referring to?
Audio echo makes this difficult to listen to
Yep- we had limited time to record, so we couldn’t troubleshoot very long- it’s fixed in future episodes
reading a lot of people's mail here..😢
Way too common