What do you think of churches who will not take an "official" stance on End Times or Israel?

[Amethyst]

What is your opinion? A mid-sized southern baptist -associated church I have been visiting (welcoming people) told me they are solid on Second Coming of Christ but all their leadership and members have differing beliefs on Israel, timing of rapture, whether there is a rapture, etc. And though one of the elders said he personally believes Israel is not done yet, the church will not preach about any of that from the pulpit.
I said, well you know Israel is major in the headlines these days, the head elder said, yea, but we don't believe that's an issue that needs to be taken from the pulpit.

Do you think they do a disservice to the congregation?

 

[mattfivefour]

Do you think they do a disservice to the congregation?

Of course they do. Any time a preacher or teacher ignores or avoids part of God's Word, he harms his listeners by depriving them of the fullness of what the Lord has for them. He didn't write it for fun; it was to inform them and equip them.

The leadership of that church is being lazy. They need to sit down together, the men of God who have been called to shepherd that flock, and prayerfully work out what God is saying in those parts of His Word that they do not yet understand. If they are of God and called to lead, then He WILL reveal His truth to them. And then they need to proclaim it.

But before anything else, they need to put in the work to fulfill what God has called them to ... if indeed He has called them to it. Religious activity is no substitute for faithful, patient, and persistent obedience to God's call. Lazy leadership is not of Christ. It neither honors Him not serves Him.

Shame on them. I pray they wake up to His calling.

 

[Amethyst]

Of course they do. Any time a preacher or teacher ignores it avoids part of God's Word, he harms his listeners by depriving them of the fullness of what the Lord has for them. He didn't write it for fun; it was to inform them and equip them.

The leadership of that church is being lazy. They need to sit down together, the men of God who have been called to shepherd that flock, and prayerfully work out what God is saying in those parts of His Word that they do not yet understand. If they are of God and called to lead, then He WILL reveal His truth to them. And then they need to proclaim it.

But before anything else, they need to put in the work to fulfill what God has called them to ... if indeed He has called them to it. Religious activity is no substitute for faithful, patient, and persistent obedience to God's call. Lazy leadership is not of Christ. It neither honors Him not serves Him.

Shame on them. I pray they wake up to His calling.

I got the vibe that they believe they are doing the most 'loving and wise' thing possible by keeping out all the "second and third tier" stuff that would cause division and keeping everyone united in the basics of the gospel.
(Even though they do take a stance on baptism, traditional marriage and abortion, however.)

In one of their membership classes today one of the T/F questions you had to answer was "Our church ascribes to a premillennial, pretribultional rapture and 1000 year reign of Christ after the Second coming.
Half the class answered "True."
He said no that is False. We are solid Second Coming but we do not have an official belief on the other Prophecy issues. That is 3rd tier.

It annoyed me that it was explicitly spelled out for a "false" answer.

It was interesting that half the new people interested in membership thought it would be a positive True though.

 

[Margery]

I got the vibe that they believe they are doing the most 'loving and wise' thing possible by keeping out all the "second and third tier" stuff that would cause division and keeping everyone united in the basics of the gospel.
(Even though they do take a stance on baptism, traditional marriage and abortion, however.)

In one of their membership classes today one of the T/F questions you had to answer was "Our church ascribes to a premillennial, pretribultional rapture and 1000 year reign of Christ after the Second coming.
Half the class answered "True."
He said no that is False. We are solid Second Coming but we do not have an official belief on the other Prophecy issues. That is 3rd tier.

It annoyed me that it was explicitly spelled out for a "false" answer.

It was interesting that half the new people interested in membership thought it would be a positive True though.

That would make me twitchy!

 

[Tall Timbers]

Do you think they do a disservice to the congregation?

I think they might not be called to the positions they hold.

I don't think this is in Proverbs, but: a fool and his congregation should soon be parted.

 

[mattfivefour]

I got the vibe that they believe they are doing the most 'loving and wise' thing possible by keeping out all the "second and third tier" stuff that would cause division and keeping everyone united in the basics of the gospel.

Honestly? That is worldly thinking, seeking an easy peace. Yes, the gospel is number one, above everything. But that is just the beginning. Sanctification and service are what follow; and those two things can occupy a lifetime of preaching and teaching. So, to relegate to "second and third tier" status biblical topics that God thought it necessary to share with us is foolish and, I suggest, arrogant. I repeat that it is the product of spiritual laziness. They like the easy messages, those that are easily discerned. Those that take real effort to attain spiritual insight are too much work and carry too high a price, I guess.

 

[Amethyst]

Honestly? That is worldly thinking, seeking an easy peace. Yes, the gospel is number one, above everything. But that is just the beginning. Sanctification and service are what follow; and those two things can occupy a lifetime of preaching and teaching. So, to relegate to "second and third tier" status biblical topics that God thought it necessary to share with us is foolish and, I suggest, arrogant. I repeat that it is the product of spiritual laziness. They like the easy messages, those that are easily discerned. Those that take real effort to attain spiritual insight are too much work and carry too high a price, I guess.

I know, it's hard out here.

 

[Batman]

Not taking a stand is probably still taking a stand.

 

[mattfivefour]

Exactly!

 

[Everlasting Life]

I'll be praying that God moves with the church leadership to draw them into serious study together on these subjects and help them to align scripturally to teach confidently.

 

[dwb]

Of course they do. Any time a preacher or teacher ignores or avoids part of God's Word, he harms his listeners by depriving them of the fullness of what the Lord has for them. He didn't write it for fun; it was to inform them and equip them.

Thanks for saying that Matt. I love studying the end time events but my church totally ignores what I think is an extremely important part of the Bible. To paraphrase a recent sermon, our preacher said "... some believe in the rapture, some believe in a second coming, some believe we just go to heaven when we die." The point being just believe the gospel so you are included in whatever happens. I guess he doesn't want to ruffle feathers. So I just keep my mouth shut. I would be much more involved, maybe even doing some teaching, but I know my thoughts are not welcomed.

 

[Hol]

I know, it's hard out here.

You’re in a tough spot

An additional red flag would be if they have the social justice CRT stuff also.

I’m guessing that they don’t encourage reading through the Bible daily?

 

[Cheeky200386]

I think they won’t be my home church. The days are too dark and crazy to tolerate a wishy washy place not solidly rooted in the Word.