Issue 1 : Prayer

When Jesus prayed, he always found a quiet place and withdrew himself. He also admonished us to do similar.

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6 : 5-6

Nigerian Christians like to make long prayers in a church setting to establish themselves as prayer warriors even though their requests and prayers can be heard by people around. Is this not blatant hypocrisy ?


Issue 2 : Prayer

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." - Matthew 6:7

Let's be honest, is this not something we are used to seeing and hearing in churches, people praying with meaningless repititions as if God is deaf. They think the more they speak and the longer they pray , the more God hears and blesses them. They will do well to heed this scripture ;
"Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Issue 3 : Money giving

why do people have to pay tithe and offerings in the open where there are thousands of people present. Is this not showing off ? Also, does this method not humiliate those who cannot afford to pay ? God says we should donate money in secret not in public. Again , these churches confirm that they will not obey scripture.

"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" - Matthew 6:2-3


Issue 4 : Healing

When Jesus healed people, he always tried to do it in secret or in such a way that he himself will not be magnified but his father. Today we see many so called men of God organising open 'concert like crusades' to show off their healing skills while drawing disciples to themselves. Surely this is against biblical admonition.

"And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. " - Mark 7:36

Issue 5 : Work

Paul says anyone who does not work should not eat. Why are so many pastors eating without working ??

"Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." - 2 Thessalonians 3:10


Issue 6 : Leadership

The bibllical model of leadership is that we are all brothers with one master Jesus. Also, him who is first shall consider himself last not first. Why then do we have many mere men ruling the church with an iron hand and lording it over the sheep ?

"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers." - Matthew 23:8

Issue 7 : Titles

In the bible the apostles did not go by titles but names, so where did this craze for titles come from ??

"they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others." - Matthew 23:7

It has been quit a while my friend, where have you been hiding?
I was beginning to fear that you might have fallen to the dark side.
Well written post with very good points which no doubt will benefit any honest hearted christian that reads it.
You were well and truly missed, try not to stay away for so long again.

1. What was Jesus doing the whole night praying?

2. How many times did he pray for the cup of suffering to be taken away?

3. How did he observe the widow giving her two mites? He had a vision of the same?

4. Quote ALL the healing instances. Start with Bartimaeus,Lazarus and so forth

5. Read 1 Cor 9:1-15 especially vs 6. Ministers have a right to be supported

6. Who are the elders? Study 1 &2 Timothy & even Galatians 2.

7. Apostle is a title in itself. Agabus was a prophet, Philip was an Evangelist

frosbel:
Issue 1 : Prayer

When Jesus prayed, he always found a quiet place and withdrew himself. He also admonished us to do similar.

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6 : 5-6

Nigerian Christians like to make long prayers in a church setting to establish themselves as prayer warriors even though their requests and prayers can be heard by people around. Is this not blatant hypocrisy ?


Issue 2 : Prayer

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." - Matthew 6:7

Let's be honest, is this not something we are used to seeing and hearing in churches, people praying with meaningless repititions as if God is deaf. They think the more they speak and the longer they pray , the more God hears and blesses them. They will do well to heed this scripture ;
"Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Issue 3 : Money giving

why do people have to pay tithe and offerings in the open where there are thousands of people present. Is this not showing off ? Also, does this method not humiliate those who cannot afford to pay ? God says we should donate money in secret not in public. Again , these churches confirm that they will not obey scripture.

"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" - Matthew 6:2-3


Issue 4 : Healing

When Jesus healed people, he always tried to do it in secret or in such a way that he himself will not be magnified but his father. Today we see many so called men of God organising open 'concert like crusades' to show off their healing skills while drawing disciples to themselves. Surely this is against biblical admonition.

"And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. " - Mark 7:36

Issue 5 : Work

Paul says anyone who does not work should not eat. Why are so many pastors eating without working ??

"Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." - 2 Thessalonians 3:10


Issue 6 : Leadership

The bibllical model of leadership is that we are all brothers with one master Jesus. Also, him who is first shall consider himself last not first. Why then do we have many mere men ruling the church with an iron hand and lording it over the sheep ?

"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers." - Matthew 23:8

Issue 7 : Titles

In the bible the apostles did not go by titles but names, so where did this craze for titles come from ??

"they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others." - Matthew 23:7

Pastors are workers in God's vineyard. There's a verse sayg if someone communicates to u spiritual things you d beneficiary shud communicate (give) to him material things.

Jesus healed sometimes in public sometimes away from d public, He ministered as d need arose. Secret ministration is not a principle.

Tithes and offerings shudnt b advertised. Some churches pass a collection container for this-members put their monies in anonymously. Others summon d tithers out to present their tithes.
None is wrong though som people wud not want to stand b4 d church. It wud b wrong if each member had to publicly declare how much he is giving.

dorox:
It has been quit a while my friend, where have you been hiding?
I was beginning to fear that you might have fallen to the dark side.
Well written post with very good points which no doubt will benefit any honest hearted christian that reads it.
You were well and truly missed, try not to stay away for so long again.

I am still here brother, only that life has become too busy these days.

All the best.

[quote author=asalimpo post=28160946]Pastors are workers in God's vineyard. There's a verse sayg if someone communicates to u spiritual things you d beneficiary shud communicate (give) to him material things.

All God's people are workers in God's vine yard not only the Pastors.

Jesus healed sometimes in public sometimes away from d public, He ministered as d need arose. Secret ministration is not a principle.

When Jesus healed, there was immediate evidence, he did not use con artists or fake miracles with soothing music to convince the gullible. Besides, he never ever took the glory to himself, he spent all his life glorifying GOD only.

Many so called MOG promote themselves not GOD. Their priority is to advance the cause of their ministry and draw disciples to themselves.

Tithes and offerings shudnt b advertised. Some churches pass a collection container for this-members put their monies in anonymously. Others summon d tithers out to present their tithes.

First of all, we know receiving tithes is akin to stealing, but to summon people to pay an illegal tax is bullying and wickedness at the extreme. We are to use our money to help people around us , not to start giving it to Pastors who are largely unaccountable in the way they spend / budget the money.

None is wrong though som people wud not want to stand b4 d church. It wud b wrong if each member had to publicly declare how much he is giving.

Well , some churches like RCCG and CE ask members to donate specific amounts of money, so that is blatant hypocrisy.