Avoiding the Ten Common Church Crises

By Kirby Clements, Sr

The Church, through its delegated authority and assigned responsibility, is pivotal in the fulfillment of the great commission. However, there have been challenges in the discharge of this function and the battleground has always been conceptual, involving the interpretation and integration of historic truths and events. This work examines the ten common church crises. They represent the preaching and teaching agenda; building expansion; restoration of the fallen; raising money; ministry philosophy; and others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kirby Clements, Sr
• Release date: Sep 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9780979418181

Kirby Clements, Sr

Kirby Clements Sr. has co-pastored for 25 years at a 10,000-member church in Decatur, Georgia, where he served as bishop over both national and international ministries. He and his wife, Sandra, have been sent forth to establish and reinforce leaders and ministries around the world, including Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, the Caribbean, countries in Europe and North America. He also serves on the Board of Directors for several ministries. He and his wife have authored 13 books and continue to organize seminars and other events that educate and inspire believers. Dr. Clements received a bachelor of science from Morehouse College, a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University School of Dentistry, and a master of science in Dentistry from Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry.

Book preview

AVOIDING THE TEN COMMON CHURCH CRISES

by

Kirby Clements Sr.

Avoiding the Ten Common Church Crises

Kirby Clements Sr.

Copyright Kirby Clements Sr. 2012

Published by Clements Family Ministry at Smashwords

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review

Address inquiries to the publisher:

Clements Family Ministry

2000 Cathedral Place

Decatur, Georgia 30034 USA

Learn more about the author and his ministry at

www.clementsfamilyministry.com

ISBN: 978-0-9794181-8-1

First Printing: October 2012

Edited and composed by Annette R. Johnson, Allwrite Advertising and Publishing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Crisis 1: The Subjection of the Holy Spirit

Historical Perspective

Contemporary Plea

Crisis 2: Absence of a Philosophy of Ministry

Crisis 3: Compromised Preaching Agenda

Crisis 4: Advertisement of Ministry

Crisis 5: Emulation without Revelation

Crisis 6: Raising Money

Crisis 7: Expansion of Ministry

Crisis 8: Restoring the Fallen

A Basic Theology

A Consistent Problem

A Proper Diagnosis

An Appropriate Treatment

Crisis 9: A New Form of Idolatry

Crisis 10: Serious Negligence

References

Introduction

The prophet Habakkuk declared that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will fill the earth. In essence, there shall be a conscious awareness and integration of the invisible attributes of God. Divine power, purpose, priorities, and perspectives shall be seen and expressed. The Church, through its delegated authority and assigned responsibility, is pivotal in the fulfillment of this great commission. However, there have been challenges in the discharge of this function and the battleground has always been conceptual, involving the interpretation and integration of historic truths and events. From apostolic days until this present moment, these challenges to correctly interpreting and implementing historic truth have emerged in areas of government, worship, commission, theology, and sociology of the Church. That is, conflicts over Divine purposes, priorities, and perspectives have often been expressed in these areas of Church activities.

Reformation has been the heavenly response to such times of confusion and disorientation. Reformers have appeared on the scene with ideas, thoughts, and wisdom necessary to readjust the Church. The areas of focus have been theology, worship, governance, and commission. That is, the common challenges have emerged in these ministry functions.

In this work, we shall examine the ten common church crises. They represent the preaching and teaching agenda; building expansion; restoration of the fallen; raising money; ministry philosophy; and others. Ministry has occupational blessings and hazards. The hope is that we can reap the former and avoid the latter.

CRISIS 1

THE SUBJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This past century is marked with tremendous revival emphases. Beginning with the Pentecostal Movement of the second half of the 19th century, there followed a series of other movements that has restored principles and practices previously neglected or abandoned by the Church and that reflect the finished work of Christ. The Holy Spirit has reformed our thinking on such issues as the Kingdom of God, spiritual authority, prophecy, evangelism, prayer, healing, deliverance, faith, miracles, covenant, worship, five-fold ministry, body ministry, reconciliation of race and gender, and many others. Over the course of time, there has similarly been an increased awareness of the unity of the Body of Christ, giving rise in some cases to the proliferation of non-denominational churches. Of particular interest, however, is the fact that the Pentecostal/Charismatic dimension of the Church has received greater visibility and credibility. Conferences, television, radio, and other media exposure has brought the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit into the homes, marketplaces, and even the political world where laws and legislation are formed. As the Spirit-filled