Independent Ministries

By James A. Cress

cressj@gc.adventist.org

Last Day Prediction

Apostle Paul, speaking to church leaders: Take heed . . . For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch . . . (Acts 20:28-30

Greatest Challenge from Within

Attacks come from outside like wolves. Persecution combines pain / opportunity.
The blood of the martyrs is seed
F. F. Bruce

Why inside problems greatest challenge? Aim draw away disciples. Destroy good fruit you labored so diligently to harvest.

1. Good Intentions
Many independent offshoots see problems in the churches and begin with an earnest desire to reform the church.

2. Poor Methodologies
Focus inward vs. outward Intent is directed at reforming the church rather than winning the lost.

Outreach = Method for Revival

If you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness. -- Steps to Christ, p.79

3. Sociological Product of Times

Age of Fierce independence Question leadership Reject authority Postmodern Query: How do I feel? How does this all relate to me?

Members have same attitude

These devoted souls consider it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any mans say-so. They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satans special work to lead men to feel that it is Gods order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course independent of their brethren. - Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 29

4. React to perceived negligence

Why doesnt the GC do something to solve this problem?
Believe in monolithic top-down control Want world church to resolve local issues

Some believe world church failed to appropriately discipline heretics Backlash from ultra-conservative right Beware either extreme

Temptation: Go Independent
God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 61

5. Appearance of Righteousness
Fenced-off Stream 90% Pure 10% Poison

What the can not discern will kill them

6. Independent vs. dependent

Totally dependent upon other peoples money. $12-15 million annually diverted from the mission of the church to unaudited entities. Funding that otherwise would have gone to mission of building up the work. Presumption: Cannot trust church to spend the money wisely.

7. Distinctions to keep cashflow

First, subtle difference between church and ministry
More conservative More concerned More committed More capable

Later, greater differences Finally, heretical doctrines

8. Major in Minors
Small issues made great - Men will make a world of an atom and an atom of a world. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 65 Pray for discernment to recognize difference between major versus minor matters

Flaw of Pentecostalism: Over-emphasize smallest gift

Perfectionism Nature of Christ Worship style and music Women in ministry Sensationalistic eschatology Attack-based evangelism
Preach against others instead of for Christ

Uniformity not required

We sought most earnestly that the Scriptures should not be wrested to suit any mans opinions. We tried to make our differences as slight as possible by not dwelling on points that were of minor importance, upon which there were varying opinions. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 65

9. Pseudo-Reverence - Ellen White

Quote obscure passages emphasis supplied
Fail to quote others

Appearance of education, devotion, spirituality

Abuse & Misuse the Gift

I have been made very sad in reading the pamphlet that has been issued by Brother S. and by those associated with him in the work he has been doing. Without my consent, they have made selections from the Testimonies, and have inserted them in the pamphlet they have published, to make it appear that my writings sustain and approve the position they advocate. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 32

Methods Lack Integrity

It will be found that those who bear false messages will not have a high sense of honor and integrity. They will deceive the people, and mix up with their error the Testimonies of Sister White, and use her name to give influence to their work. They make such selections . . . they think they can twist to support their positions, and place them in a setting of falsehood, so that their error may have weight and be accepted by the people.
- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 42

Doing the Devils work . . .

Those who start up to proclaim a message on their own individual responsibility, who, while claiming to be taught and led of God, still make it their special work to tear down that which God has been for years building up, are not doing the will of God. Be it known that these men are on the side of the great deceiver . . .

. . . Doing the Devils work

. . . Believe them not. They are allying themselves with the enemies of God and the truth. They will deride the order of the ministry as a system of priest-craft. From such turn away, have no fellowship with their message, however much they may quote the Testimonies and seek to entrench themselves behind them.
- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 51

10. Ignore Matthew 18

Reject Gods methodology for conflict. Avoid engaging directly individuals with whom they have differences. Take concerns directly to the church Bypass the church polity (Board of Elders) Tell the world!

11. Work secretly at first

Presuppositions dictate methodology Secret information tends toward secret processing Targets:
New believers Recently revived members Emotionally vulnerable

Warn of potential persecution from pastor

12. Target New Believers

Doubt Despair at moment when new members most need nurture and protection Create alternative authority in vulnerable minds of spiritually immature

13. By Their Fruits

Church needs to be pure to win souls Emphasize behavioristic performance Refuse to enter kingdom and prevent others Parasite lives off host

Identity of True Church

Jesus sees His true church on the earth, whose greatest ambition is to cooperate with Him in the grand work of saving souls. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 19

Whose spirit controls?

When the truth abides in the heart, there is no place for criticism of Gods servants, or for picking flaws with the message He sends. That which is in the heart will flow from the lips. - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 88

Criticism curses the critic

Earnest workers have not time for dwelling upon the faults of others. We cannot afford to live on the husks of others faults or failings. Evil speaking is a twofold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits . . .

Changed by what we look for

The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image. - The Ministry of Healing, p. 492

14. Presumptive Claim: Historic Adventism

Essentials The Sntials

Sola Scriptura Sabbath Sanctuary Stewardship Salvation by Grace Second Coming State of Dead Spirit of Prophecy

15. How to Know Who to Trust

Credentials Trusted Recommendations Track Record Associates

16. Create Big Lie with Cover-up

Matthew 28 Falsehood justified by the conclusion that the end validates the methodology.

cressj@gc.adventist.org