Common pastoral errors

[Chris L.]

Aside from it stating that God's plan is handcuffed by what men will or will not do, I believe Jesus is referring to what is also described in Revelation 14:

This has nothing to do with man evangelizing the world. It is a God-controlled end-times event, and it occurs shortly before the end comes.

I believe you are right. Why do you suppose God commands us to preach the gospel to all nations? Is it just to save those in the mean time before his coming?

 

[Tom Butler]

I don't know if I would consider this an "error," but I get frustrated whenever a preacher does a generic "altar call" such as "If you feel that you are not as close to God as you should be, then please come forward and kneel at the altar."

Speaking of altar calls, exactly where is the altar in a Baptist church? I have looked hard, but the closest I have come to identifying its location is somewhere around the Lord's Supper table.

 

[Jeep Dragon]

Speaking of altar calls, exactly where is the altar in a Baptist church? I have looked hard, but the closest I have come to identifying its location is somewhere around the Lord's Supper table.

It's usually that little step that the pastor steps on to get to the pulpet.
It seems that people like to use Old Testament objects and terms for New Testament traditions.

tithe = 10% of increase of one's harvest = 10% of one's monetary income
offering = a burnt sacrifice = money put in an "offering" plate
altar = a stone platform for buring offerings = a platform to pray on in church

 

[npetreley]

I don't know if I would consider this an "error," but I get frustrated whenever a preacher does a generic "altar call" such as "If you feel that you are not as close to God as you should be, then please come forward and kneel at the altar."

Maybe the pastor is under the mistaken impression that God only hangs out at the steps near the podium, and if you want to get closer to God, you have to go up to the steps.

 

[lbaker]

Galatians 5:3 - Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

I wonder if "circumcised" could be replaced with "compelled to tithe" and the same application made?

Scary thought, but both are cases of trying to apply Old Testament Law to christians incorrectly.

Les