“You should be independent too,” said Pastor Bergeren as we chatted. He was the pastor of a church in Kearny, New Jersey. God called me to the ministry and so I went to an Assembly of God (AOG) Bible institute. I also had joined the AOG church in Kearny and planned to get my ministerial credentials through the AOG.
I saw many good reasons to be part of a denomination, and I fully believed in being accountable to others. There were advantages of having people to go to for counsel, help, guidance, correction, discipline, and more.
So I had to wonder if Pastor Bergerson, and any other independent minister, was avoiding the principle of mutual submissiveness (Ephesians 5:21), or being rebellious, or something else. About two years later, I met another independent minister which really encouraged me to despise the thought of becoming independent, because he turned the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) into a mockery.
However, while I was in Bible institute, God saw to it that at least two facts were planted in my mind. The one came from an instructor, brother Walter Beuttler, when he said you do not need human credentials to preach the Gospel or minister.
Image of Walter Beuttler, from author’s collection.
The other came from studies, perhaps in Church history, that indicated a typical cycle. Revival comes, then fellowships form, and from fellowships come denominations. Things go spiritually well for maybe two generations, but sin creeps in. The Bible institutes they establish become colleges. The denomination loses touch with the Biblical principles it once embraced and actually practiced. Eventually the group spiritually degenerates to the point where it becomes like the world in some respects.
A bit later, the Lord presented me with another fact: People are people and only God is God. People, whether they belong to denominations or are independent, often fail, but God does not. And one thing I have always taught since I became a disciple is that if one surrenders to Christ, their allegiance is only to Christ and not to a church, fellowship, denomination or any human agency.
As the decades came, while I saw much good in the group I was in, I saw the ways of the world creeping in. It got to a point where I felt if the denomination would change from their Biblical position on a special point dear to me and take the stance of the world I would have to resign my credentials. They eventually deviated in 2001. I waited until their next General Council in 2003 to see if they would go back to the Biblical stance, but they did not. I submitted my resignation at the end of August 2003 and also notified my superiors I declared the church I pastored as an independent work.
After dropping that letter in the mail it hit me: I was now what I once despised. I had to think of Pastor Bergersen. The other thing that hit me, and hit me hard, was the realization that now I was totally dependent upon God. But understand it did not hit me hard in a negative way, but in a peaceful positive way. It really feels good and exciting.
Do not get me wrong. I am sure there are ministers that are in denominations that are just as dependent upon God, which is the way we all should be. Nor do I want to give the impression being in a denomination is always bad.
For me, after many indicators, I felt I had to take the step I did. And for me, and many others, “independent minister” is an oxymoron. I am constantly dependent upon God. I am still accountable to people, perhaps even more so.
As we study the Holy Bible, we will see that every disciple of Christ needs to be totally dependent upon Him. Grant it, He uses our brethren to help us at times but even then we still must firmly keep in mind Psalm 121:2, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
Notes:
This article will be part of my Bible GemLights as emerald007.
I invite you to write, post pictures, audio, video on Triond and earn money.
Great share. Nice writing
I know, I took a visit to your website and have read of this . Not sure if it was on your site or on Triond. I would say there is way more dependance on God, real quick, as an independant. No board to turn to, no mother church, no politics, straight to the throneroom you go. To God be the Glory!
All right already. I couldn’t agree with you more. And you are right it is definitely an oxymoron. Keeps you humble and knowing full well that God is all you have and all you need and ever did need. Very excellent article. Bravo.
It is true, we will not bear fruit outside Him.
Good one
For some reason I woke up thinking about this article. Apostle Paul said we were not to break up into denominations. In Corinthians 1:13 (Paul asks) Is Christ divided? Not only do we divide ourselves into denominations. We divide ourselves into special groups within one church.
:Then in Corinth 1: 10-Paul says: Now I plead with you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you,but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.
So it is a sin to break ourselves up under denominations. How will we unify the world in Christ, when we can not unify ourselves.
So to be an independant is to repent from this sin. Would you agree Pastor Pete?
I heard someone complain one day, she said I wouldn\’t know what to do, there are so many denominations, how do I choose?
A lot of people are under church boards and schisms, they can\’t go to share the gosple because their so called, spiritual father has to send them out, they can\’t share the gospel yet, because the church board says they must pay $$$, go to the churches bible college and then they may share the gospel.
They can\’t start a ministry yet because the pastor has not approved it. Peoples hands get tied.
Too many sit in the pews doing nothing. Meanwhile souls are in the balance. In my neighborhood churches are content to sit inside sucking up the glory. Meanwhile, city counsel asked all churches to please come together to discuss how we may help the youth.
Only one, just one church came out. That says a lot about where their interests lie.
I say we need more ministers like you to just be independant, get out and do what the Lord said to do, without hinderance.
These are some of the reasons why I decided to independantly go to the hospitals and speak to the mentally ill about Jesus, from there someone invited me to their church to talk about how the Lord Jesus healed me from depression.
Then I was invited to a homeless shelter to do the same. So we need more people to go…go as Christ said go, and minister to the lost, get out of the pews, get out from under the boards, schisms, and bondage of denominations and get out into the highways and byways to share the message of Christ.
Then we need independant ministers who teach believers to get up and go preach to the lost.
I respect your position, and stand for the word of God being greater than the traditions of man (that take away from the truth). My church organization started out based on the word of God but many within have either stolen, approved of homosexual acts, or acted in ungodly ways – all the way up the chain. This has burdened my heart greatly. Being a ordained pastor requires much dedication to God and the study of His word, as well as it’s application. This I know for I am one. However my ordaination is not with my former church because the leaders there have corrupted themselves; who are not pastors in my estimation (I feel that a pastor shepherds a flock; rebuking sin, and abstains from it instead of turning a blind eye to it). I have it seen this all firsthand. Nevertheless, I have not spoken against the church itself as God will do the cleansing in it if it’s meant to be His church. But if not (and it seems not as many have departed from it in massive numbers), God will ordain others to preach the early church Gospel truth without compromise and raise up a new one. a church is not a building but rather a group of believers who have accepted God and His word as the number one priority in their lives. The 24/7. Well, may God continue to lead and guide you into all of His truth by His everlasting word and Gospel (or Good News).
Very true, For example I have been asked what denomination are you? I answered ” A christian” . God helped me with this issue long ago , I was so discouraged because everyone thought I needed to be in their denomination . I am glad that I belong to a heavenly church who leads me and has no rules other than Gods. Very good article.
Interesting article, thanks for the read.