The Remnants of Catholicism
Many denominations have "leftovers" from the Catholic methods of church-control that are still causing problems within the groups. These remnants are stifling growth or productivity in the Kingdom of God. Many future leaders are not being trained and very few church members have found a special place in the Body of Christ to minister. Most Christians will say, "not us"; but they do not realize the history of the manner in which they operate and how that manner come down from Catholicism. While I cannot give an exhaustive list, I can point out a few prevailing areas that could be changed for the better.
1. Jesus is the head of the church. (Our Pope?) Not only collectively, but the local church head as well. Christ will lead the local church apart from all other local churches. This idea should cause the men of each local church to be very close to God so as to hear what He wants for their individual church. A "hand-me-down" idea of one person hearing from God and being the head of a local church is Biblically absurd. No one has the right of being the head but Christ. How can we say He is the head of our life but we do not let Him head our local church? We allow Him to be head of the collective church, but His real work is in leading a local church in victory. Our extreme Pentecostal talk about the Holy Spirit leading a service or church has often bypassed Christ. The Spirit only brings to us what He has known from the heart of God and the Spirit will always tell us what Jesus is saying and thinking. When was the last time you heard bragging about Christ having been real in a recent service? It is usually bragging on the Holy Ghost! (The Holy Ghost does not approve of glorifying anyone but Jesus.) Makes you wonder who is the head of most churches! The pastor, the Holy Ghost or Jesus! Catholicism has promoted the priest as the one to whom all persons go for guidance, repentance and revelation of scripture. But God says a wayfaring man, tho a fool will not err; because the highway of holiness is for each member of the Body as lead by Jesus the Head. While leaders are important, they should realize they are still only a part of the Body (although one of the leaders) just like the others. There is only one Head of the church.
2. The "Mother" church owns all property instead of the local folks who actually pay for it. This "remnant" causes many people who leave a church group that is apostatizing to lose their property. Many of God’s dollars have been wasted because of buildings lost to worldliness. Many denominations/groups still keep this remnant. This tactic keeps a strong hold on members and entangles them in whatever decisions the "mother" church makes. Local people should own the property used for God’s work.
3. The protestant bishop/pastor has retained many of the Catholic manners of operating. There is a large gap/space between the clergy and the laity. This space was for the purpose of control. The space showed the common man that he was at a different level than the leader and was to stay in his "place". A multitude of counselors provides safety, but even many Biblically conservative churches have major decisions made by one person. Many local churches have evolved into depending on one main person to hear from God. Scriptural revelation is for the common man and it understood thru the Spirit. A N.T. church has elders in each church and a leading elder or leading elders. Ac 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. God will speak to several elders when He desires something. His supposed speaking to mostly one person; the bishop or pastor is not Biblical. It becomes dangerous to the individual himself and the local church when God seems to only speak to one person about major items. Again, the leaders are important; but we must work diligently to cause God’s word, call and voice to reach the common man in our midst.
4. Low pay enhances a pastors ability to hear from God. Many holiness / Pentecostal / conservative churches have those who feel that if a salaried leader makes an average salary, he will probably backslide or become worldly. Many pastors who started faithfully have struggled with frustration or bitterness because they could not easily meet their bills as well as their average church member whom they served. The Catholic vows of poverty or simple life are not to be copied in an effort to approach God or please Him. A man of God must do any sacrifice of his own accord and will, not by force or because those who hire him believe cheapness equals Godliness. God says a workman is worthy of his hire and (1Tim 5:17) "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." This error came from the same Catholic vein of thinking as physically torturing yourself in order to appease and seek God. (As Martin Luther crawling up rock stairs on his knees in an attempt to please God and hear His voice.) It is the love of money, not money itself, that hurts someone. The recent worldliness of many preachers is a heart problem, not a salary problem.
5. Catholics instituted their own names for church leaders instead of using the ones in scripture. The N.T. clearly teaches that 5 positions are available to bless and exhort the Body of Christ. These 5 names are currently used by the Charismatics and they scare conservatives. Yet, we are told these 5 callings are to be used. The key is to let others see the calling and name you, and be sure you don’t name yourself. They did not call themselves Christians at Antioch, but were first "called" Christians by those watching them. We need more prophets (an future teller or inspired speaker) and apostles (one whom is sent) and evangelists (a preacher of the gospel) and pastors (shepherd) and teachers (instructor). We must be careful to use Bible names and words in our churches and not those substituted in their place. A cardinal is the state bird of several states, not a man of God. Christians are all kings and priests before God. A pope or cardinal is not God’s temple, we are! Great care must be taken in the use of these terms, mostly because of vain "so-called" men of God.
6. Catholics stress beautiful buildings along with the attendant icons and paraphernalia. The Christian church has begun doing the same thing. Expensive buildings are a large part of the reason many missionaries have come home from lack of support. While I can’t set a price for a local church to spend on a building, God can! Have you noticed that those gorgeous communion tables are not used that much anymore? The "old rugged cross" is smooth and finished and hangs on more necks than hearts. We must not put much stock in icons, buildings and beauty. The Catholics have ornate buildings in the midst of very poor countries. Can you have church in a simple and clean building? Yes! Even a home is appropriate for church. As the main church apostatizes, we will find less and less importance being put on buildings by the conservatives still holding on to truth. Do not let his remnant of Catholicism bind you for years to payments and troubles. God abides in hearts, but we are to be sure we do not forget to assemble more than ever.
7. The Catholics and now many churches believe the leaders are the ones who should do the spiritual work of the church. The others just attend and get their "blessing" and take their "sacraments". The Bible teaches that all Disciples of Christ have a place in the Body and are to be active. Many churches have a congregation full of people who have no ministry in their life and they allow the one or a few leaders to do everything. This "hand-me-down" must not be copied. We are not to set in a building and let one or two do spiritual things before us. We are to participate in the service and then do "service" in our cities, etc. after we leave the building. Most Christians cannot tell you the will of God for their life. They are only watching the leader do his thing and they only participate by helping pay for it. They have no call on their life. We must understand that every believer has a call on his or her life. God has a plan for every disciple. Only those in this plan will go to heaven. Each person in the church must do his or her part in the kingdom. Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. All people must be a spiritual part or:
- Leaders will not be trained
- Most will be spectators
- People will not feel the burden
- They will leave because they feel disconnected to the Body