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CHURCH OF CHRIST
ASHAIMAN

MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE MINISTERS

Ministerial Alliance Ministers
By E. Claude Gardner
 
With the current religious landscape by the "changers," it is not surprising that more of "our" preachers are joining the denominational ministerial alliances. When a preacher decides to affiliate with the local "pastors," what "statement" does he make?

Here are my opinions:

  1. The preacher thinks he is unleashing his "independence," and he will no longer be hobbled by "tradition-bound" brethren.
  2. The congregation and its leadership which allow it partake of whatever compromise in doctrine results. It suggests that the church has become "broad-gauged" doctrinally.
  3. The preacher must swallow many erroneous doctrines and practices in order to have this fellowship. He may now be a full partner with preachers who teach faith only, grace only, instrumental music, the Lord's Supper at any given time, experiential religion of a direct work of the Holy Spirit, women preachers, social gospel, etc. If he has espoused the "new hermeneutic," he would be comfortable with those who teach such doctrines.
  4. The preacher now looks on the church of the New Testament as a denomination and only one part of the body of Christ.
  5. The "pastors" are gleeful because the preacher has brought the church of Christ into the "family of denominations." "We are now a big happy ecumenical family who believes in joining the church of your choice."

It is true that we should be as broad as the New Testament and as narrow as the New Testament. "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. ... For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 9, 11).

 
"Prove all things, hold fast that which is good"