Ministry vs Membership

By B. Gerard Fite

This is an empowering look into Christian Discipleship. This work addresses such topics as:

Soul Saving vs Fundraising

Worship Sanctuary vs Prison Camp

Vision vs Division

The Christian Church may have lost focus of the primary mission of believing in Jesus as the Christ. Ministry vs. Membership is a refreshing journey into the mission and purpose of believing. Are you willing to be challenged to see God in a fresh way?

• Language: English
• Publisher: B. Gerard Fite
• Release date: Mar 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781564115782

B. Gerard Fite

Founding Pastor of Blessed Harvest Nation. Graduate of Howard University (Bachelors of Business Administration - Information Systems) and Hood Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity). I married Barbara Foster in 1990, we have 2 children, Jerret (Andrea) and Jeanay (Torey), 5 grandchildren (Jeremiah, Hezekiah, Elijah, Aaron and Mya) I have been serving God in ministry since 1987. I enjoy writing to share my experiences and sharing in the experiences of others.

Book preview

Ministry

vs.

Membership

B. G e r a r d F i t e

FIRST EDITION - FIRST PRINTING

Ministry vs. Membership

B. Gerard Fite.

Copyright © 2011 by B. Gerard Fite.

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved: No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

ISBN#: 978-1-56411-578-2

Library of Congress#: 2011923844

To order more copies of this book, contact the publisher at 704.649.3585 or visit the author at: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BGerardFite

Published in the USA by:

CB Publishing & Design

PO Box 560431

Charlotte NC 28256

704.649.3585

cbpublishing-design.com

[e-mail]

Forward

In America today the Church is continuing to stray farther away from holiness and the purity of Biblical doctrine. Holiness, which used to be the goal of every believer, has become something that is just talked about and not something that Christian men and women are striving for. Biblical doctrine is being replaced with man-made doctrine and given the same high place in the Church. Discipleship has become programs instead of a way of life. Man is defining what the Church should be instead of the Church (through the Word of God) defining what man should be. Because of these things we are seeing weak churches which are not making an impact for God. We are seeing Christians who are living in religiosity and not the freedom that God intends for His children to have.

I cannot remember a time in modern history when the Church has had a greater need for revival. The truth of God's Word needs to be preached and taught exactly the way it is written in the Bible. We need people of God with boldness to step up and sound the trumpet call for Biblical truth. We need courageous leaders to stand on the Word of God and lead their churches and bring them back to Biblical order. Then we will see power in the Church that will once again storm the gates of hell and set people free.

I believe we see that in the author of Ministry vs. Membership.  Pastor Brian Fite has written this hard hitting book calling the church back to Biblical truth and Biblical order. In this book he boldly addresses the tough issues of our churches today. He challenges the churches to see what the Bible really says about church polity, church order and church doctrine. He addresses holiness and the desire to really be Disciples of Christ, not just talk the talk. He pulls no punches as he searches the scriptures for truth and then applies them to our modern Church today. I am very grateful for his heart to be a servant of our Savior and for his passion to help the churches be all they can be to the glory of God. I'm thankful for his boldness and courage and friendship.

I recommend this book to all church leaders and all those who love the Lord.

Pastor Dale Shields Statesville Road Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

Testimonial

Pastor Fite has courageously leaped into the heart of some of the most challenging questions that face the Kingdom of God today.  As I read page after page I tried to remain impartial, but found myself being affected heavily by his words.  He calls into question motives, mission, purpose, and even the intent of the Church. 

I was confronted with the harsh reality that the Church has lost its way, and we don't appear to even know how to rediscover our true path.  He gives us an unflinching look into the church of now and tries to explain how WE have gotten so far off track.  Mixed messages, Self-perpetuating prisons that believers have to contend with, accepting the fact that what we call ministry today; isn't really Ministry at all.

I am moved by this book, and am concerned for the church.  I salute Pastor Fite for daring to confront what others chose to whisper about.

Haven O. Anderson, Senior Pastor Marvin AME Zion Church, Waxhaw, NC

Acknowledgements

Thank you to God for my grandmothers Francis and Janie, and my mother Mary for igniting a calling that will impact generations. Thank you to God for my wife, Barbara, for being my encouragement. Thank you to God for our children, Jerret (Andrea) and Jeanay (Torey), and our grandchildren. Thank you to God for Blessed Harvest Institute, the vision and vehicle that will impact the world for Christ.

I would also like to thank God for Senora Pierce for her assistance.

Preface

This project is an endeavor of love for me. During my lifetime, I have labored for over 23 years in ministry, 17 of which I have humbly served in the capacity of Senior Pastor. During my tenure as pastor, I’ve experienced many awesome events with God and His people. In the same token, I’ve also encountered some disappointing and discouraging events. I am confident today that all of those proceedings have worked together for my good! And for that, I am grateful! Those dealings have catapulted me into this space…right here in this place, at this very moment, writing to/for you. Today, I am thankful to God, for all He has allowed me to experience. I am a stronger and better individual as a result of those interactions by way of church leaders and members.

I see this as a labor of love, because I love God; therefore, I am concerned about the state and direction of the Christian Church. Furthermore, I am excited about the possibilities of transformation in our understanding, as people of God. It is this transformation that grants believers a chance to know God from the fundamental love that has been shown since the beginning of time. And in the forgiveness that is granted to us morning by morning. It is this love, which offered us a savior so that we could share the message of redemption to a dying world. But clearly, the Church has been distracted by material prosperity and pagan traditions that have no Biblical foundation. We cling to these concepts more than God, our Father.

It is my prayer that as you embark on this journey with me, you will consider who you are in Christ and where you are headed in the things of God. I bid you to evaluate the elements that are major to