Shocking title:  The sin of congregational rule.  Let me explain.  We live in a nation that values representative leadership. We elect our leaders, and if those guys and gals fail, we fire them. What’s happening now in America is a testimony to this. What’s the buzz word in American politics? Change! Politicians don’t even have to say where they want to take us, just by presenting their selves as an instrument of change is enough to galvanize the masses.

From business to sports teams, representative leadership is the American paradigm. Don’t like the leader? Is the organization dying under their leadership? Remove him/her from the position and put in a leader that will move the organization. Of course even in congregational ruled churches we have this mentality. That is, if the church is failing, they will fire the pastor.

Now here’s my problem with this: Congregational ruled churches are often the polar opposite of a representative ruled leadership. The congregation as a whole makes the decision on which direction they are going to go and they direct the leadership. Only if the congregation makes bad decisions are they willing to go back to the rep. paradigm (that is, fire the leader for the bad decisions the congregation made).

Furthermore, congregational ruled churches are ruled by the majority. What’s wrong with that? Well, if you have been to church lately, you might notice that a majority of people are not being led by the spirit, or in the bible, or gifted with leadership, or following God’s guidance. The majority can be wrong. It creates divisions and factions.

The church needs to be ran by leaders. These leaders need to be held accountable (for their theology, walk, and fruit). If they fail as a leader, remove them. That sounds hard! Well...you know that the church is responsible for bringing the wisdom of God (that is, the gospel that is found in Jesus Christ) into the world. To not do so is a sin (for the church). The body of believers would bend over backwards to kick a pastor out who was preaching against the trinity. They would fire that leader if he were having an adulterous affair. Why? Cause this is sin. Is it not even more of a sin not to be bearing fruit in the church? Fire the leader.

Now many will think this is harsh…and that’s why only those called to be leaders should be leaders. Not the masses that are not even willing to take responsibility for their bad decisions.

Now before you loose your mind, I'm not saying that you cant lead.  Just do so the right way:  Get into the scriptures.  Improve your relationship with God.  Be full of the Spirit.  And if God calls you to the position of leadership:  Lead. 

Well, it’s been a while. I don’t have any excuses for why. I did finish up with my degree (finally). I have also been hitting my calling as hard and as passionately as I possibly can over the last month. Our church has had some major victories: Highest attendance in the last two years on the most depressing day of the year (blue Monday…goggle it); a powerful youth service; a push for a vision, a purpose, and define our values (follows below).

To say the least, I’m excited about our direction and our calling. I’m humbled that God has chosen me for this critical time in FBC’s life. And I’m proud that He has brought me a group of leaders that are, by far, some of the greatest in this state. God has blessed us!

The Vision for our Church

A church that brings real hope and real change to its members so that they, in turn, may bring real hope and real change to Farmer City and the surrounding communities by being both a minister to those in need and a witness to those that are lost.

The Purpose of our Church:

We will Worship our God.

We will Win people to Christ

We will Connect people to the body

We will Disciple believers

We will Send disciples into the world

The Values of our Church

Our church will be about Excellence.

Our church will be Relevant to all.

Our church will stay on the Offense.

Our church will be Passionate about our God and our calling.

Our church will Deny Self for the sake of the cross.