As to #1: James 1:27 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. The Church needs to be be both inward focused and outward focused at the same time. As Pastors we are charged with feeding, caring, protecting and equipping those in the church. As the body of Christ they should strive to build one another up, ministering one to another. If there are those 'in the church' but not truly 'of the church' then they must be dealt with and confronted in love so that they might be saved (Jude 1:22-23). It is true that there seems to be a tendency today to abuse the sheep and show an attitude of indifference to them. Many Pastors, rather than leading by example come in and say "it's my way or the highway". Many come and make a bunch of changes in the congregation before they even get to know the flock. Of course the other side is that the Church needs to be outward focused in continually reaching out and seeking to spread the Gospel wherever they may be. People don't need any gimmicks to share the Gospel - it is actually quite easy, the main thing that holds most people back is 'fear'. Leading by example, teaching and equipping them to trust and love rather than fear. It is not easy but amazing things will happen when common people will step out in faith. Just a few rambling thoughts (to help save the forum) Steve Alvin Smith wrote: >Brothers, > >1. What is "true religion"? The church has forgotten. It is time for us to >seek out he who is our neighbor, the one lying in the ditch, the one who is >most in need. We concentrate too much on growing our churches and not enough >time tending to the sheep we have already. The time is over for building >more structures. It is time now for the building up of the Body of Christ. > >2. The moment we began to call a building a church is the moment we went >astray. "We" are the Church. We are the Body of Christ! The Bride. The >structure is just a meeting place, not God's House! "We" are God's House! >We are the tabernacle of God! > >3. What is the truth regarding tithes and offerings? How can a saved person >be cursed? > > >Discussion welcomed. > >peace > > -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pastor Steven G. Rockhill Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church PO Box 88 Lisbon, NY 13658 315-393-9041 revrock@... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++