Better Methods Or Better Men?

[Amisk]

"The church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organization or more novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use, men of prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men." E.M. Bounds

[holo]

Actually, God doesn't look for good men, he looks for losers.

[ivory]

Actually, God doesn't look for good men, he looks for losers.
So He can show His power.

[Scorcher505]

Jesus surrounded himself with people that society hated, but he looks for good men as much as bad. He looks for people who love and will follow him

[calidog]

He is, and always has been, choosing losers who are willing, that His glory may be seen.

[jsimms615]

"The church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organization or more novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use, men of prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men." E.M. Bounds
Not only men of prayer, but men and women of integrity. Christ will always make fruitful those who are christlike in their walk.

[BGMCFAR]

I don't think Jesus just looks for losersI don't think any of the disciples were losers except Judas and that was the path that Judas chose and there are a lot of pastors out there that are not losers and were called to the ministry at a young age so you don't have to be a loser to befound by the Lord.

[calidog]

I don't think Jesus just looks for losersI don't think any of the disciples were losers except Judas and that was the path that Judas chose and there are a lot of pastors out there that are not losers and were called to the ministry at a young age so you don't have to be a loser to befound by the Lord.
loser would be innacurate

weak would be more appropriate

[Junco]

"The church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organization or more novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use, men of prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men." E.M. Bounds
Focussing on methods for a minute here, IMO a congregation or any organization should examine its methodologies from time to time. 'Method' implies a user of same and a thing that he/she uses the method on. Since things change over time, sometimes methods or methodologies become outmoded or irrelevant and need to change.

[Nadiine]

Focussing on methods for a minute here, IMO a congregation or any organization should examine its methodologies from time to time. 'Method' implies a user of same and a thing that he/she uses the method on. Since things change over time, sometimes methods or methodologies become outmoded or irrelevant and need to change.

I definitly understand what you're saying. You know, in any given (non denominational) church, there is a real vast age span.
The older adults might like a more conservative service, while the younger adults like a less conseravitive service - things like THAT I think are fine to reassess by a church.
I remember what Paul said:
1Cr 9:22 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Cr/1Cr009.html#22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.

On the other hand, IF WE HAD A TRUE HEART FOR GOD, those superficial things WOULD BE LESS IMPORTANT to us.
What is our true focus in church? Even then, I have preferences that I look for in any church we go to.
Not EVERY church is right for EVERY person.

All I will say is, when we aim towards more secular entertainment, and watering down the whole message of God, we are falling short of the mission.

[linssue55]

"The church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organization or more novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use, men of prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men." E.M. Bounds

Yeah, stop with the social gatherings, bingo's and bake sales, and get with the REAL reason for the church......


"these are ignorant and unlearned men" (Acts 4:13)


The purpose of the pastor-teacher — Ephesians 4:12,13. “For the purpose of training and equipping the saints for combat” — the first objective is preparing the royal family for the angelic conflict. This is accomplished by teaching — “for the purpose of the vocation of the ministry” — with Bible doctrine as the inner dictator of the believer’s soul, with an altar of the soul established, the believer on the basis of that doctrine can find his area of ministry — for the purpose of the edification of the body of Christ, until we all [members of the royal family] have attained the goal [spiritual maturity; supergrace] because of the consistency of doctrine, and e)pignwsij of the Son of God” — no one ever loves Jesus Christ until they know Him, and you must have e)pignwsij of the Son of God before you can be occupied with the person of Christ — “with reference to a mature nobleman” — it is the objective of the pastor-teacher through the teaching of the Word to bring each one of his congregation to the point of being a mature nobleman — “to the standard of maturity which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” In other words, there is a standard that can only be achieved by maximum doctrine in the soul. The pastor is the communicator.

There are many passages on the pastor: Ephesians 3:7-10; Colossians 1:23-29; 1 Timothy 2:24-26; 3:1-9; Titus 1:6-9.
The authority and concept of the pastor — Hebrews 13:7,17.
The reward of the pastor — Hebrews 6:10; 1 Peter 5:4. The wreath of glory is the exclusive decoration in eternity for the pastor-teacher. Remember that the reason for this particular award is faithfulness in studying and teaching.


The soul is the battlefield in the angelic conflict, and if you are faithful in studying and teaching this issue will become clear. Doctrine was here before we came; doctrine will be here after we are gone. Evil was here before we came; evil will be here after we are gone. The issue with every member of the congregation, as well as the pastor: Are you influenced by doctrine? Are you influenced by evil? Notice that sin is not an issue.


Sin was solved at the cross; sin is handled by rebound Confession 1 John 1:9) . The issue is doctrine versus evil. Doctrine is the manifestation of the genius of God; evil is the manifestation of the genius of Satan. David was influenced by doctrine and blessed; Saul was influenced by evil and cursed. Verse 12a: “faithful minister” — pistoj diakonoj.


Faithfulness
1. God requires faithfulness from all believers — Matthew 25:21.
2. Much more so does God require faithfulness from pastor-teachers, ministers.
3. God does not ask the pastor to be sensational, spectacular, scintillating, but faithful.
4. The key to being a pastor is found in one word: plugging. The pastor-teacher must keep right on studying and teaching.
5. Pastors must be consistent and faithful to the assigned task of the ministry which is the communication of Bible doctrine to his congregation.
6. Every time a pastor stops for counseling he is depriving his entire congregation of Bible doctrine.
7. The self-centered, egotistical, haughty, insolent, supercilious member of the congregation who demands attention should get it — on his butt!
8. It is imperative that a pastor should avoid being sidetracked by the psychopathic, imbecilic, self-centered people who demand attention. When it comes to studying the Bible or teaching the Word of God the pastor must become a plodder.