Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Put away your notes, gather up your thoughts and reflections, and take the quiz for Lesson 3, The Christian Leader as Pastor (Poimenes).

Quiz

Scripture Memorization Review

Review with a partner, write out and/or recite the text for last class session’s assigned memory verse: Acts 20.26-28.

Turn in your summary of the reading assignment for last week, that is, your brief response and explanation of the main points that the authors were seeking to make in the assigned reading (Reading Completion Sheet).

Assignments Due

Independent Is Not Heretical

Many churches today count themselves as “unaffiliated,” “non-denominational,” or “independent.” This trend has led to a steady increase in the number of churches which proudly and gladly affirm no formal connection with any organized tradition or church association. Some see this trend not to formally affiliate with other churches as a bold reaffirmation of the voluntary and apparently natural affinity of the NT churches. Others, however, see this trend as a further sign of the Western church’s lack of understanding and appreciation of tradition. What do you think both of the fact of so many churches functioning as non-denominational and independent churches, as well as the trend of so many congregations electing not to formally associate with other congregations? Many who argue that churches need connection without formal association argue persuasively that often when churches associate too closely that they can become ingrown and sectarian. One need not do much research to find examples of a number of church movements that splintered from the mainstream of faith and practice because they were adversely affected by a person who was both highly charismatic and yet cultic in orientation. Because of the tendency for movements to lose their own identity to the influential thoughts of a single individual, many congregations organize around strictly congregational structure. Many ministries today were formed on the basis of the dominance of a single personality whose An Impulse to Become a Sect

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