Above Reproach

"Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil". - 1 Tim 3:6-8

Last week, I read a surprisingly contemptuous article in a reputable business magazine on the growing influence of the Pentecostal/Contemporary Church movement within Australia.

As many of my family, colleagues and friends (some in traditional churches) read this magazine, I have taken the time to reflect on its contents so that I may articulate my thoughts with a greater degree of clarity.

The article correctly asserted that shrewd marketing and networking practices are being applied by these Churches to optimise their reach and influence. It also voiced concerns over the implications of ‘prosperity theology’. Unfortunately, the article leaves the uninformed reader with a tainted bias as it did not appear to give the Leaders of these Churches the right of reply.

In the main, the growing influence of the Contemporary Church has to be a good thing. Increasingly, people are being taught in a relevant way important traditional scriptural values and life skills largely being abandoned by secular society.

Of course, a more ‘successful life’ will be a by-product of people adopting and learning life skills as taught by these Churches. For example it follows that if someone adopts a value of industriousness (or 'work ethic') then they will 'prosper' or their efforts will 'Be Blessed'. As my secular friends sometimes say "It seems the harder I work the luckier (more blessed) I get".

In addition, one of the more wonderful aspects of these Churches is that they cut-across demographic, social and cultural boundaries to include a wider variety of people in their community. Increasingly, they are also moving into Mercy Ministry activities such as orphanges - a fact also not covered in the article.

Though, from where I stand on the fringe of a large contemporary Church, I feel the article has also highlighted some areas that may warrant attention by these Churches to ensure that these organisations and their people appear to, and do in fact remain ‘above reproach’.

These may include adherence to an external code of conduct to regulate fund raising strategies, clearer delineation of business and religious activities as well as an overhaul of Governance structures which, amongst other things, will include measures to provide assurance that these organisations will not become ‘inherited institutions’. (I once was told by a Pentecostal minister that their Church located in Scarborough was not even an incorporated body).

Most importantly, the focus of the Church should always remain true to its mandate to disseminate the message of freedom and redemption that is the Gospel. Possibly, there is a need for greater emphasis on the Truth that ‘Success’ and 'a position of respect in society' may well not be the outcome of choosing to follow Christ, as clearly taught in the sciptures and stressed by the Traditional churches.

The current situation, I believe, trust and pray is not a question of integrity (or lack thereof), but rather a fact that this growing Church movement is still in an early phase of maturity in its life cycle ― relative to traditional Churches, Charities, NGO’s and other mutual organisations.

I firmly believe that both the growing Contemporary/Pentecostal Church movement and the declining Traditional Church both have a lot to learn from one another.

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**These comments are my current personal thoughts and views only and not necessarily a reflection of any people I associate with or any Church that I attend.