Matthew, I agree with your statements. Washer started off right when he says that a person who can idolize a preacher and listen to their messages but not be involved in their own local ministry are “seeing but not seeing and hearing but not hearing.”
As a pastor, I do not aspire to be well-known like Washer or MacArthur, but I do desire that people in the pews would realize that those men can never pastor them. God places us in a local assembly where we are to serve faithfully and worship together.
Cannot worship TOGETHER listening to online radio, cd’s, tapes, or whatever. Those ministries have their place and have been used effectively, but they are NEVER to replace the local church.
What this should say is “stop worshipping and idolizing ANY preacher (celebrity or not)”.
I am grateful for my pastor who has always told his congregation (to paraphrase): “Look, I have my job to do as a member of Christ’s body, and you each have your unique job as well. Don’t just take what I say as truth, but check what I say according to the whole of God’s word. And if I am at any point in error, by all means, show me from God’s word.” Thankfully, he is well aware of man’s nature to follow the leader, and in His love for God’s people, is often discouraging his congregation from looking up to him, but rather to look to God’s word instead.
Fine line, due to our decietful hearts is’nt it?
I agree with Washer that there are no “great men of God”.
Just. as he puts it, weak , pitiful men of a great and awesome God.
Matthew, I agree with your statements. Washer started off right when he says that a person who can idolize a preacher and listen to their messages but not be involved in their own local ministry are “seeing but not seeing and hearing but not hearing.”
As a pastor, I do not aspire to be well-known like Washer or MacArthur, but I do desire that people in the pews would realize that those men can never pastor them. God places us in a local assembly where we are to serve faithfully and worship together.
Cannot worship TOGETHER listening to online radio, cd’s, tapes, or whatever. Those ministries have their place and have been used effectively, but they are NEVER to replace the local church.
I concur brother.
Well said.
The more I grow, the more my view of the “local Church” gets higher and higher.
It is sad that there are so many that are apathetic to serving in the context of that.
What this should say is “stop worshipping and idolizing ANY preacher (celebrity or not)”.
I am grateful for my pastor who has always told his congregation (to paraphrase): “Look, I have my job to do as a member of Christ’s body, and you each have your unique job as well. Don’t just take what I say as truth, but check what I say according to the whole of God’s word. And if I am at any point in error, by all means, show me from God’s word.” Thankfully, he is well aware of man’s nature to follow the leader, and in His love for God’s people, is often discouraging his congregation from looking up to him, but rather to look to God’s word instead.