 False
teachers  The Presbyterian Layman – Volume 34, Number 4 – Posted May30, 2001
False teachers continue to manipulate and undermine the focus of our denomination and misuse God’s grace to justify culturally sanctioned immorality. Countless hours and millions of dollars are expended on assemblies to seek the mind of Christ in policies and priorities for our denomination. Yet, some leaders and employees of the denomination ignore assembly mandates by promoting publications and conference themes that are contrary to Scripture and by using the platforms of the church to advance secular agendas. People in the pews and sessions are heeding Jude. Affirming three core beliefs of our historic faith, they are also addressing the problem of false teachers by demanding accountable leaders and staff who will uphold those core beliefs. No denomination can long survive if it cannot hold its leadership and employed servants accountable. Bureaucratic response has been predictable. Some write off the call for accountability by falsely labeling it a “loyalty oath.” Others assert the confessing movement is “too thin” to cause any concern or change. Still others simply ignore it. Such reactions reveal an increasing tendency to think politically, not Biblically. Where did we ever get the idea that any leadership or staff of the denomination at any level is ever free to ignore or undermine the official policies, priorities, and pronouncements of the church? At the congregational level, if employed staff promote materials a session has declared inappropriate, they would be disciplined and if such conduct were persistent, they would be dismissed. The governing bodies of the denomination and their employed staff at every level are called to be servant leaders. Accountability is the hallmark of servanthood. The tithes and offerings of the faithful are not sent to denominational headquarters for the purpose of sustaining a sinecure, where employees can pursue their personal visions and agendas. If the General Assembly Council continues to be unwilling to insist on an accountable staff that will implement the declared policies and priorities of General Assembly, then why should our churches pay per-capita assessments to maintain an unaccountable structure or entrust mission funds to unfaithful fiduciaries? The continued decline of the PCUSA ought to remind us of the sign in the vacant store window – “Going out of business-forgot what our business was.” If we cannot insist that the business of the church is to proclaim that Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life, then we cannot call ourselves his disciples or to claim that we are his Church! |
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