Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

4. This means being willing to evaluate our styles and methods of doing things to be sure that we are not needlessly offensive to the very people that we are trying to reach (Rom. 14:1; 15:1-2; I Cor. 9:22). Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22,

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

On the negative side, relevancy must never be exalted above truth and can never lead us to compromise the eternal principles of God’s Word to which all men must adapt themselves. 1. This means that while modern technologies should be utilized, they must not be abused and become a substitute for personal pastoral ministry. Our ability to produce special light shows and a cloud of smoke must never replace an actual living encounter with the presence of the Lord. 2. This means that while we employ managerial methods that will help us to be better stewards of our resources, we must not reduce the church to the level of a human business institution without reliance on the supernatural and the need for faith. 3. This means that while the church and its leaders must be in touch with the needs of the people and concerned about meeting those needs, they must not forget their central

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