Lance, shame on you to discredit a widely respected book that you have not even read. Especially one that details such depths of faith and human suffering. You appear to brush it off as exposed Russell does the holocaust.
I wonder if you would say the same about the bible? For that matter have you read through all of Gods word?
Probably bad wording; what I meant is that in the church the NT tells us of each person took part & there was not a single preacher / teacher that did everything all the time.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (1 Cor.14:29-31)
The concept of a single pastor with a mute audience is a creation of Roman Catholicism. It is a sin against the Holy Spirit and hinders him, producing an audience of spiritual babies.
You would surely be aware that not a one of the NT 'church' epistles is addressed to or even mentions 'the pastor'.
"What do you mainly look for in your Pastor / Preacher and why?"
Multiple; it is multiple church leadership in scripture.
So if there is only one single pastor / one single preacher in a local church there is no point in expecting that church to be very scriptural as their leadership is based on what Romanism started, not on scripture.
The Holy Spirit cannot make full use of the people in that church, thus the spiritual growth of those gathering will always be limited.
Carterton, with the skilled labour shortage over here we have many tradesmen working on commercial buildings and earning more money than the architects that designed the building. Same goes for miners, earning more than many teachers & doctors do etc.
Somehow I find that pleasing actually (although I don' really fit into these categories).
It is possible to put too much stress on education of young children; gotta have some fun too as that also is learning. As with all things some balance is needed.
Cindy - do you have a pet dog or cat (lion?) by chance?
Sorry, couldn't resist asking this!
Matt - there is a very detailed biblical study (book + preaching) by the well known Baptist preacher James W Knox on this. You need to read the whole thing to get his thought. The conclusion in a nutshell is that unbelievers should remain as separate nations but this does NOT apply to believers who are one flesh with Christ.
OK, I had you wrong sorry Neil. Thought you were supporting Hams position on this. My mistake.... For all his good points I don't agree with everything he stands for.
Cindy, not having a family when you are older would be seen as a lack by many, especially if there was the option earlier in your life.
BTW in many 3rd world countries there is no pension or social security to support older people financially so the need to have family is virtually an essential to them for survival.
It's the only country I have encountered this funny attitude, thats all. There may be others.
Define culture please? I know of Christian "culture" and non-Christian "culture" but you appear to have something else in mind....? I don't think my bible uses the term "cultural", perhaps it is a modern idea.
Actually I do recall now Ham saying something about this but his opinion is unbiblical.
Neil, a Christian is instructed to marry another Christian. That is all.
To bring nationalism into it is adding to scripture and certainly isn't God's idea. As I said this appears to be a modern American thing; you probably didn't get Hams strange sense of humour.
Neil / Matt, as fivepoints pointed out (no pun) God only recognises one race - the human race. And there are only two groups within that race; believers and unbelievers.
To have an "interracial marriage" a human would have to marry another species such as an animal (don't laugh, this has happened already).
I never encountered this weird hang-up about a persons nationality until I visited the US for the first time. It certainly isn't Christian thinking.