The size of a community of faith

[Tarheel Baptist]

Matthew Ward's opinion that a church can be one person and God seems as if it would identify the one true and pure church for the kitchen table crowd.

Funny thing...the "kitchen table crowd" is the subset consistently defining church as the Bible uses the term.

Tarheel Baptist:

The size of a church is not designated in the Bible.
There are large churches, small churches...there are no one person churches.

The effectiveness of the church and it's size, in my experience, depends greatly on the under-shepherd(s) of that church.
Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table.

So what you're saying is that the effectiveness of a church rests entirely on the abilities of the pastor.

I'm saying that the effectiveness of a church for it's size depends greatly on the under-shepherds of that church.
It's possible to have Biblically 'bad' small churches.
It's possible to have Biblically 'good' large churches.
God gave Pastors and teachers to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.
The effectiveness of the Pastors and teachers in equipping the saints does make a difference.
Certainly not THE difference.
Certainly not the ONLY difference.
Certainly not the most IMPORTANT difference.
But, a difference.

Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table. 

 

[prophet]

Matthew Ward's opinion that a church can be one person and God seems as if it would identify the one true and pure church for the kitchen table crowd.

Funny thing...the "kitchen table crowd" is the subset consistently defining church as the Bible uses the term.

Tarheel Baptist:

The size of a church is not designated in the Bible.
There are large churches, small churches...there are no one person churches.

The effectiveness of the church and it's size, in my experience, depends greatly on the under-shepherd(s) of that church.
Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table.

So what you're saying is that the effectiveness of a church rests entirely on the abilities of the pastor.

I'm saying that the effectiveness of a church for it's size depends greatly on the under-shepherds of that church.
It's possible to have Biblically 'bad' small churches.
It's possible to have Biblically 'good' large churches.
God gave Pastors and teachers to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.
The effectiveness of the Pastors and teachers in equipping the saints does make a difference.
Certainly not THE difference.
Certainly not the ONLY difference.
Certainly not the most IMPORTANT difference.
But, a difference.

Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table. 

You left out the other 2.
He gives Prophets and Evangelists as well.
Carry on.

Anishinaabe

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

Matthew Ward's opinion that a church can be one person and God seems as if it would identify the one true and pure church for the kitchen table crowd.

Funny thing...the "kitchen table crowd" is the subset consistently defining church as the Bible uses the term.

Tarheel Baptist:

The size of a church is not designated in the Bible.
There are large churches, small churches...there are no one person churches.

The effectiveness of the church and it's size, in my experience, depends greatly on the under-shepherd(s) of that church.
Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table.

So what you're saying is that the effectiveness of a church rests entirely on the abilities of the pastor.

I'm saying that the effectiveness of a church for it's size depends greatly on the under-shepherds of that church.
It's possible to have Biblically 'bad' small churches.
It's possible to have Biblically 'good' large churches.
God gave Pastors and teachers to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.
The effectiveness of the Pastors and teachers in equipping the saints does make a difference.
Certainly not THE difference.
Certainly not the ONLY difference.
Certainly not the most IMPORTANT difference.
But, a difference.

Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table. 

You left out the other 2.
He gives Prophets and Evangelists as well.
Carry on.

Anishinaabe

Plus, it should be noted somewhere that the head of the body, i.e., the church, is Christ. 

 

[prophet]

Matthew Ward's opinion that a church can be one person and God seems as if it would identify the one true and pure church for the kitchen table crowd.

Funny thing...the "kitchen table crowd" is the subset consistently defining church as the Bible uses the term.

Tarheel Baptist:

The size of a church is not designated in the Bible.
There are large churches, small churches...there are no one person churches.

The effectiveness of the church and it's size, in my experience, depends greatly on the under-shepherd(s) of that church.
Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table.

So what you're saying is that the effectiveness of a church rests entirely on the abilities of the pastor.

I'm saying that the effectiveness of a church for it's size depends greatly on the under-shepherds of that church.
It's possible to have Biblically 'bad' small churches.
It's possible to have Biblically 'good' large churches.
God gave Pastors and teachers to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.
The effectiveness of the Pastors and teachers in equipping the saints does make a difference.
Certainly not THE difference.
Certainly not the ONLY difference.
Certainly not the most IMPORTANT difference.
But, a difference.

Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table. 

You left out the other 2.
He gives Prophets and Evangelists as well.
Carry on.

Anishinaabe

Plus, it should be noted somewhere that the head of the body, i.e., the church, is Christ.

seems like some confused "undershepherd" is always sticking his head in the way.

Anishinaabe

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Christ is the head of the church.
The Holy Spirit is the power of the church.
The Bible is the instruction manual/textbook of the church.
God gave to the church "apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ"

Pastors and teachers are a part of God's plan for the church.
Some can effectively lead and organize thousands, hundreds, dozens....
Others can effectively lead and organize those who fit around a kitchen table. 

 

[rsc2a]

I firmly believe TB thinks Jesus is the head of the church.


I just think he likes to assign himself the role of neck. 

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I firmly believe TB thinks Jesus is the head of the church.


I just think he likes to assign himself the role of neck. 

I'm just a crumb on the kitchen table....

 

[Mathew Ward]

I firmly believe TB thinks Jesus is the head of the church.


I just think he likes to assign himself the role of neck. 

I'm just a crumb on the kitchen table....

Not on the kitchen table. You don't warrant such a lofty spot. 

 

[Prin.Ciples]

I firmly believe TB thinks Jesus is the head of the church.


I just think he likes to assign himself the role of neck. 

I'm just a crumb on the kitchen table....

Not on the kitchen table. You don't warrant such a lofty spot. 

I thought we got the crumbs that fell from the table?