• What is the purpose for a church becoming a corporation? Does this make the state the head of the church?

  One definition of a corporation is “A body that is granted a charter legally recognizing it as a separate legal entity having its own rights, privileges, and liabilities distinct from those of its members.” While this is not in my field of expertise and while I do not know all the reasons for the state’s insistence on this for churches, I think the issue here regarding a church becoming a corporation is at least a two-fold matter. First, it is a form of protection for the church and allows them to have tax exempt status.

  QA ID: 

  212

  Topic ID: 

  8

  Biblical Topics: 

  Ecclesiology (The Church)

• Where is the instruction to the church to pursue or pray for a revival?

  You’re asking questions of a modern historical nature that are not particularly relevant to the New Testament. What I mean is that the term doesn’t occur in the New Testament; I suspect it was popularized by Charles Finney. I tend to take a different view of things; basically, what the NT affirms about how God changes hearts—both individually and corporately. Thus, rather than worry about defining this thing, maybe we ought to be more concerned about living for the Lord individually—something that will surely impact others.

  QA ID: 

  211

  Topic ID: 

  16

  21

  Biblical Topics: 

  Prayer

  Evangelism

• Why do churches think they have to ‘entertain’ people?

  In recent years we’ve certainly seen the trend toward more and more entertainment in churches. Some of these church are reaching many people for Christ and are doing a lot of good things, but I wonder about the long-range effects. Is this much like the frog in the kettle that gradually gets cooked to death through the slow increase of temperature? An excellent book that concerns itself with some of these issues is The Coming Evangelical Crisis, edited by John H. Armstrong.

  QA ID: 

  210

  Topic ID: 

  74

  47

  Biblical Topics: 

  Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry

  Worship

• Is the gift of prophecy (insight into another person’s life) for today?

  The question you asked is one of great controvery in the church today. I personally do not believe the gift of prophecy or office of prophet exists today. This was a supernatural gift that involved giving direct revelation from God and usually involved new truth that was equivalent to Scripture, if it was truly from God. For this reason, there was also the gift of discernment.

  QA ID: 

  209

  Topic ID: 

  18

  69

  Biblical Topics: 

  Basics for Christians

  Prophecy/Revelation

• Is it scriptural that all Christians should be looking for ministries?

  Yes, it is absolutely scriptural. As Christians, we are each to be good stewards of all that God has given us and this includes our time, talents (spiritual gifts), treasures (finances), our temples (bodies) which are indwelt by the Spirit, and truth (the message of Christ). Being a good steward means ministry of various sorts. This would also include a person’s vocation or job. Viewed biblically, our jobs are ministries in themselves. An excellent book I like to recommend along these lines is, Your Work Matters to God, by Sherman and Hendricks.

  QA ID: 

  208

  Topic ID: 

  18

  Biblical Topics: 

  Basics for Christians

• Would you consider evangelism to be a teaching gift?

  People with the gift of evangelism ought to be engaged in training others how to witness. This is not only logical, but evangelists are gifted men who are given the role and responsibility of equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Ephesians 4:11f seems to make that very clear.

  QA ID: 

  207

  Topic ID: 

  21

  25

  Biblical Topics: 

  Evangelism

  Spiritual Gifts

• What was meant by the phrase: “Do the work of an evangelist”?

  Timothy’s primary function or area of giftedness was not evangelism, but Paul challenged him to “do the work of an evangelist,” (cf. 1 Tim. 4:12). I think the command to “do the work of an evangelist” simply expressed Paul’s concern that Timothy might not lose his zeal for lost souls as he became more and more engrossed in his primary duties. Perhaps it also expressed the apostle’s concern that evangelism be illustrated and communicated to those he was training. They too need this concern, training, and skill as part of their growth.

  QA ID: 

  206

  Topic ID: 

  21

  25

  Biblical Topics: 

  Evangelism

  Spiritual Gifts

• Was Timothy a pastor or an evangelist?

  The term “pastoral epistles” is used to designate the three epistles or letters addressed to Timothy and Titus (1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus). Though addressed to individuals, they are not limited to personal and private communications. They were more official in nature addressed to Timothy and Titus to guide them in matters concerning the church of Jesus Christ and its pastoral care (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15 with 2 Tim. 2:2).

  QA ID: 

  205

  Topic ID: 

  25

  93

  Biblical Topics: 

  Spiritual Gifts

  Character Study

• Why should we practice church discipline?

  Church discipline is designed to promote godly change. As our heavenly parent, God is a perfect illustration of this as Hebrews 12:5f illustrates. Further, parents who follow God’s Word do this with their children; they discipline them, not to hurt them, but to cause them to grow.

  Some of the purposes of Church Discipline include healing, correction, and protection of the purity of a church. Sin that is not dealt with, like leaven, has a way of permeating the body of Christ and the life of the individual, always to their harm (see 1 Cor. 5).

  QA ID: 

  204

  Topic ID: 

  26

  Biblical Topics: 

  Church Discipline

• What should be involved in church discipline for a church leader?

  First, we need to keep in mind that the primary goal of church discipline is restoration to spiritual health. It should never be viewed as punishment. Nevertheless, to set an example and because church leaders are to be models for others, disqualification and removal from his former positions of leadership and ministry is certainly part of the discipline needed for church leaders.

  This is evident from 1 Timothy 5:19-20, “Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

  QA ID: 

  203

  Topic ID: 

  26

  47

  Biblical Topics: 

  Church Discipline

  Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry

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