Establishing A Healthy Church
Things We Need To Know And Do In The Body Of Christ
by
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Just When you think its useless to continue on in the church because oppositions seem to be causing her to fade, fall, falter, fail, the Holy Spirit Gives a ray of Hope. He reminds us that Jesus says, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This encourages us to pursue on building what has been established by Jesus. Maintaining Unity… What will the future of the church be like? Especially when we see different groups, within the same local body, who seem to have no common grounds for communication. This makes you wonder about unity doesn't it? Ever wondered how so many nice and well established churches could end up splitting over minor matters? Often times the problem of division stems from the fact that believers don't know the positions of spiritual leaders or themselves in the church. This causes them not to understand their position as servants of Christ and realize what it is that constrains their Christian conduct. Unity is one thing that is often overlooked in the church, even though it is the contributing factor that leads to church growth. It is unity that actually points out the fact that the strongest bond is desired, the same goal is sought after and that everyone is striving to achieve the highest for the good of all who are involved. Practicing Discipline… Discipline is a word that even Christians like to avoid. Christians who don't like to face their obligation of discipline in the church. The church must deal firmly with sin in the family as well as resolve disputes fairly. I believe one reason we don't like to practice discipline in the church like God instructed is that we have been brought up to believe that the church has no rights to put anybody out of its fellowship. Well its time that the bubbles be burst. Simply because the church has more rights to discipline a habitual sinner in its fellowship than the world does. And by the way the church doesn't really have put anyone out of its fellowship a person puts him/herself out by his/her willful sin and disobedience. The main guideline for discipline in the church is always redemption rather than punishment. Resolving Doctrinal Disputes… In any church there is going to always be an issue on Christian liberty and we hear it all the time. "Is it right for a Christian to attend the movies or have a television in his/her home? Should a Christian be involved in politics? Should a woman wear pants in the sanctuary? Should she preach or be in the pulpit as a pastor? Should a Christian work or even eat at the casino? Should a Christian smoke or drink? Should a Christian be baptized in Jesus' name.? There will be some things that the scripture doesn't just come out and spell. There will always be some things, which seem wrong to some Christians but not to all Christians. This is why Believers in Christ must learn how to handle the gray areas of the Christian life, as well as learn how to relate to fellow Christians of different faith who don't feel the way they do about everything. True Spirituality… Why proclamation is so important to the church? In short proclamation pinpoints the evidence of false and true worship. In many churches the order of worship is not geared toward building up the entire body. The results God does not get the full glory that is due Him. This is a result of a failure to understand the importance of proclamation. A person will never understand the importance of anything until they know what it does. When we speak about proclamation we are talking about prophecy (forth telling or telling forth). Proclamation is basically the teaching of God's word authoritatively. Understanding Women's Identity… Ever question why there can be so much controversy over the identity of women in the church when they are so important to the church's establishment? In many churches women aren't taught and others are held back from fulfilling the role that Jesus established for them. Many women just don't care one way of the other. And for this cause they don't allow the Lord to use them in a more effective way. In most cases women make up the larger part of the structure of our churches and if the truth be told, in many respects, women are often easier to lead than men. I believe that women were created with a submissive character because she is motivated by what she feels, while man was created with a domineering character that motivates him by what he sees. This is why women are often more emotional than men...
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About the Book
This book is written to help believers know they can be spiritually healthy and bring spiritual health to their local church bodies. It's not an attempt to present anything new or to discredit any spiritual thoughts or views. It will help Christians better manage what Jesus has already established - His church. Jesus says, "upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matthew 16:18). This is the assurance that the founder, foundation, formation, fellowship, future, and function of the church are right. However, members the body of Christ must have spiritual checkups by the power of the Holy Spirit, in order to keep themselves healthy for Christ. Its design is to assure Christians that they are following the divine mandates set by Jesus by bringing them into view of the spiritual and physical works of the church. It will resurrect Gospel Communication and Love, which many believers have allowed to remain dormant. It challenges people to open their hearts and mind to the Holy Spirit as He attempts to guide them into all truths through transformation, unity, and true spirituality. It will help women in the church discover their identities rather than search for their roles as they follow God's word more closely. It also helps believers depend on the resurrected Christ for their assurance. This book enhances (Jesus), but it helps us see the whole picture of the church and not just a few personal, isolated, individual views, trying to make sense. It will help settle doctrinal disputes and assist in church discipline. There are many ways spiritual health can be maintained in the church. I have pinpointed only a few to inspire believers to bring spiritual health to your life, the church and the lives of people everywhere.
About the Author
Pastor Madison Clark, Jr. was born in Eunice, LA. He graduated from Washington High School, Lake Charles, LA; served 4 years in the United States Air Force, and attended McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA. He graduated from Delta Business College, Lake Charles, LA in Professional Drafting. He received his Bachelor of Theology Degree (Magna Cum Laude) from International Bible Institute and Seminary, Plymouth, FL. and also studied through Seminary Extension Institute, Nashville, TN. Rev. Clark is a member of Newlight Educational and Missionary District Association, Inc Rev. Robert L. Owens, President where he serves as Director of Congress of Christian Education. He has written much of the study material for the congress. He also serves as lecturer on the Evangelical Board for Newlight District Association. Rev. Clark is a member of Louisiana Home and Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention, Inc Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, President where he serves as Recording Secretary for the Preacher's Conference. Rev Clark is a member of the National Baptist Convention of America Inc. Dr. Steven J. Thurston, President. Rev. Clark is a member of the Baptist Ministers Union of Lake Charles, LA. and Vicinity Rev. Martin T. Ceaser, President. Where he serves as Secretary/Treasurer. Additionally he has taught at American Baptist College at Lake Charles, LA Baptist Ministers School of Religion. Rev Clark has been pastoring Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Westlake, La., Inc for over 28 years. Above all Rev. Madison Clark, Jr. believes that the church is most powerful establishment that God has ever created.