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Wolves or Tares?

| November 14, 2006 | no comments

 

The primary responsibility of leaders is to protect the flock from spiritual harm.

Most of that turned out to be true. God has provided for our basic economic needs, but I make less now. I have an inadequate insurance plan and no pension. My congregation, after two years of struggle, has 70 members. But none of that is of any spiritual significance. We are free from the oppression (even the name) of the Episcopal Church and its apostate hierarchy, and our services are marked by a special presence of the Holy Spirit in healing and the other gifts of the Spirit.

The main point I am making is not our success or failure, but the “carnal” nature of the rector’s argumentation. I hear echoes of it in many other Episcopal clergy who are “hanging on.” To which I remind them of James’ admonition: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (Jam. 3:1, NIV) Certainly, we are not commanded to separate the wheat from the tares, but the primary responsibility of leaders is to protect the flock from spiritual harm.

 

PR 

 

Editor’s note: This response by Fr. William De Arteaga was written when he was Hispanic Pastor of Light of Christ Anglican Church (Capilla San Lázaro) in Marietta, Georgia. 

 

To read Bishop Little’s article online, point your internet browser to: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/003/24.69.html

 

 

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Category: Fall 2006, Ministry

About the Author: William L. De Arteaga, Ph.D., is known internationally as a Christian historian and expert on revivals and the rebirth and renewal of the Christian healing movement. His major works include Quenching the Spirit: Discover the Real Spirit Behind the Charismatic Controversy (Creation House, 1992, 1996), Forgotten Power: The Significance of the Lord’s Supper in Revival (Zondervan, 2002), Agnes Sanford and Her Companions: The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal (Wipf & Stock, 2015), and The Public Prayer Station: Taking Healing Prayer to the Streets and Evangelizing the Nones (Emeth Press, 2018). Bill pastored two Hispanic Anglican congregations in the Marietta, Georgia area, and is semi-retired. He continues in his healing, teaching and writing ministry and is the state chaplain of the Order of St. Luke, encouraging the ministry of healing in all Christian denominations. Facebook

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