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	<title>Comments for Be The Fruit</title>
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	<link>http://bethefruit.com</link>
	<description>Helping the people of God learn to bear fruit wherever they are.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:09:25 -0700</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Comment on The Role of the Deacon by Bill Blair</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/10/02/the-role-of-a-deacon/comment-page-1/#comment-1065</link>
		<dc:creator>Bill Blair</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:09:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=298#comment-1065</guid>
		<description>Good questions.  Although, you seem to have a wrong view of leadership.  Leadership &amp; being a servant are not mutually exclusive.  I  think you are trapped in viewing leadership from a worldly perspective where leaders manipulate and &quot;lord it over&quot; their followers, but that is not the picture of a godly leader.

Godly leadership is not a gift, but a responsibility.  An ungodly leader desires to rule others so people can serve him, while a godly leader is given authority so he can serve the people.  The godly leader looks after his followers, cares for the people, and bears a responsibility for his followers welfare. The following passage shows this responsibility (as well as the fact that there are leaders):

&quot;Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.&quot; (Hebrews 13:17, ESV) 

In your list of verses you highlight verses where people call themselves &quot;servants,&quot; but you neglect times when the Apostles call themselves &quot;Apostle.&quot;  At times, Paul defends his authority as an apostle (Gal 1:11ff) to show why they must follow what he says.  Other times Paul states that he has the authority to command, but chooses not to.  All of this shows that there is such a thing as a leader in Christianity.

At the end of the day, the problem is not leadership but sin.  If you have encounters leaders, even Christian leaders, who have mistreated their followers or even you, then perhaps you should pray for them because they will have to give an account for how they treated the people God entrusted to their care.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good questions.  Although, you seem to have a wrong view of leadership.  Leadership &#038; being a servant are not mutually exclusive.  I  think you are trapped in viewing leadership from a worldly perspective where leaders manipulate and &#8220;lord it over&#8221; their followers, but that is not the picture of a godly leader.</p>
<p>Godly leadership is not a gift, but a responsibility.  An ungodly leader desires to rule others so people can serve him, while a godly leader is given authority so he can serve the people.  The godly leader looks after his followers, cares for the people, and bears a responsibility for his followers welfare. The following passage shows this responsibility (as well as the fact that there are leaders):</p>
<p>&#8220;Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.&#8221; (Hebrews 13:17, ESV) </p>
<p>In your list of verses you highlight verses where people call themselves &#8220;servants,&#8221; but you neglect times when the Apostles call themselves &#8220;Apostle.&#8221;  At times, Paul defends his authority as an apostle (Gal 1:11ff) to show why they must follow what he says.  Other times Paul states that he has the authority to command, but chooses not to.  All of this shows that there is such a thing as a leader in Christianity.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, the problem is not leadership but sin.  If you have encounters leaders, even Christian leaders, who have mistreated their followers or even you, then perhaps you should pray for them because they will have to give an account for how they treated the people God entrusted to their care.</p>
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		<title>Comment on The Role of the Deacon by A. Amos Love</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/10/02/the-role-of-a-deacon/comment-page-1/#comment-1064</link>
		<dc:creator>A. Amos Love</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:27:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=298#comment-1064</guid>
		<description>I have some question’s about the use of the word “leader” and “pastor.”

The words “leader” and “pastor” seems like a “high place.” Yes?

Jesus always took and recommended the “low place.” Yes?

Jesus humbled Himself, made himself of no reputation
and took on the form of a servant. Php 2:7

Doesn’t the “Title” pastor/leader give you a reputation
wether you want it or not?

Jesus in Mat 23:10 told His disciples “NOT” to call
themselves master/“leaders”
for you have one master/”leader” the Christ.

King James Version –
Neither be ye called masters:
for one is your Master, even Christ.

The Interlinear Bible –
Nor be called leaders,
for one is your leader the Christ.

Phillips Modern English –
you must not let people call you leaders,
you have only one leader, Christ.

Today’s English Version –
nor should you be called leader.
your one and only leader is the Messiah.

The Amplified-
you must not be called masters ( leaders )
for you have one master ( leader ) the Christ.

Jesus told His disciples not to be called “leaders” and none did.

Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant

His disciples all called themselves “servants,”
none called themselves “leaders.” None? None.
None called themselves “servant-leader.” None.

If someone calls themself a “leader”
or thinks they are a “leader;”

Are they a “disciple of Christ?”

In the Bible, How many people… have the title pastor?
In the Bible, How many people are… referred to as pastor?
In the Bible, How many people are… ordained as a pastor?
In the Bible, How many congregations are… led by a pastor?

Be blessed in your search for truth… Jesus

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16

One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.
If Not Now, When?

Be blessed and be a blessing</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have some question’s about the use of the word “leader” and “pastor.”</p>
<p>The words “leader” and “pastor” seems like a “high place.” Yes?</p>
<p>Jesus always took and recommended the “low place.” Yes?</p>
<p>Jesus humbled Himself, made himself of no reputation<br />
and took on the form of a servant. Php 2:7</p>
<p>Doesn’t the “Title” pastor/leader give you a reputation<br />
wether you want it or not?</p>
<p>Jesus in Mat 23:10 told His disciples “NOT” to call<br />
themselves master/“leaders”<br />
for you have one master/”leader” the Christ.</p>
<p>King James Version –<br />
Neither be ye called masters:<br />
for one is your Master, even Christ.</p>
<p>The Interlinear Bible –<br />
Nor be called leaders,<br />
for one is your leader the Christ.</p>
<p>Phillips Modern English –<br />
you must not let people call you leaders,<br />
you have only one leader, Christ.</p>
<p>Today’s English Version –<br />
nor should you be called leader.<br />
your one and only leader is the Messiah.</p>
<p>The Amplified-<br />
you must not be called masters ( leaders )<br />
for you have one master ( leader ) the Christ.</p>
<p>Jesus told His disciples not to be called “leaders” and none did.</p>
<p>Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,<br />
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,<br />
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,<br />
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,<br />
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God<br />
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant</p>
<p>His disciples all called themselves “servants,”<br />
none called themselves “leaders.” None? None.<br />
None called themselves “servant-leader.” None.</p>
<p>If someone calls themself a “leader”<br />
or thinks they are a “leader;”</p>
<p>Are they a “disciple of Christ?”</p>
<p>In the Bible, How many people… have the title pastor?<br />
In the Bible, How many people are… referred to as pastor?<br />
In the Bible, How many people are… ordained as a pastor?<br />
In the Bible, How many congregations are… led by a pastor?</p>
<p>Be blessed in your search for truth… Jesus</p>
<p>And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:<br />
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;<br />
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.<br />
John 10:16</p>
<p>One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.<br />
If Not Now, When?</p>
<p>Be blessed and be a blessing</p>
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		<title>Comment on Sarah Learns Biblical Hebrew &#8212; Video by Mammie</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/09/15/sarah-learns-biblical-hebrew-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1029</link>
		<dc:creator>Mammie</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:28:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=273#comment-1029</guid>
		<description>Very good..Keep more coming..Precious angel,,so proud</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Very good..Keep more coming..Precious angel,,so proud</p>
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		<title>Comment on Sarah Learns Biblical Hebrew &#8212; Video by Aunt Phylis</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/09/15/sarah-learns-biblical-hebrew-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1025</link>
		<dc:creator>Aunt Phylis</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:56:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=273#comment-1025</guid>
		<description>Precious! And she is obviously very brilliant -- must be taking after her Grandpa Gerald!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Precious! And she is obviously very brilliant &#8212; must be taking after her Grandpa Gerald!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Sarah Learns Biblical Hebrew &#8212; Video by Kathy</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/09/15/sarah-learns-biblical-hebrew-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1014</link>
		<dc:creator>Kathy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:59:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=273#comment-1014</guid>
		<description>LOVE IT!!!  Especially the hands in the air at the end &quot;Now I&#039;m done!&quot;  talkin with her hands--what a TRUE Texan!!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>LOVE IT!!!  Especially the hands in the air at the end &#8220;Now I&#8217;m done!&#8221;  talkin with her hands&#8211;what a TRUE Texan!!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Sarah Learns Biblical Hebrew &#8212; Video by Rhonda</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/09/15/sarah-learns-biblical-hebrew-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1012</link>
		<dc:creator>Rhonda</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:14:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=273#comment-1012</guid>
		<description>She did a good job on that!  I bet Jennifer loves seeing those cards again!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>She did a good job on that!  I bet Jennifer loves seeing those cards again!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Sarah Learns Biblical Hebrew &#8212; Video by Jason</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/09/15/sarah-learns-biblical-hebrew-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1010</link>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:39:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=273#comment-1010</guid>
		<description>nice!  I think she was calling you some bad names too...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>nice!  I think she was calling you some bad names too&#8230;</p>
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		<title>Comment on The Cross &amp; Children&#8217;s Ministry by How do people become de-churched?&#160;&#124;&#160;Be The Fruit</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/08/21/the-cross-childrens-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-975</link>
		<dc:creator>How do people become de-churched?&#160;&#124;&#160;Be The Fruit</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:57:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=254#comment-975</guid>
		<description>[...] I came across the  video below earlier that features Matt Chandler at a recent conference where he spoke about preaching the gospel to the de-churched.  In this clip, he speaks about how he thinks people become &#8220;de-churched.&#8221;  His explanation about churches assuming the gospel and teaching a moral diesim is right on target and dovetails nicely with my post from last week, &#8220;The Cross &amp; Children&#8217;s Ministry&#8221; that can be read here. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] I came across the  video below earlier that features Matt Chandler at a recent conference where he spoke about preaching the gospel to the de-churched.  In this clip, he speaks about how he thinks people become &#8220;de-churched.&#8221;  His explanation about churches assuming the gospel and teaching a moral diesim is right on target and dovetails nicely with my post from last week, &#8220;The Cross &amp; Children&#8217;s Ministry&#8221; that can be read here. [...]</p>
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		<title>Comment on The Cross &amp; Children&#8217;s Ministry by Bill Blair</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/08/21/the-cross-childrens-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-970</link>
		<dc:creator>Bill Blair</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:53:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=254#comment-970</guid>
		<description>Mitch, the problem certainly carries over into adulthood.  I think the lack of gospel to be a be contributor to the massive church dropout rates we are seeing. If kids are not connected to Christ through the gospel they will not be transformed on the inside, and this makes them leave the church when they leave the nest. They leave because they were never really connected to the vine.

Also, keep in mind that the legalism you speak of does not always look mean, ugly, or authoritative.  Sometimes it is cool, hip, and fun but it always leaves out Christ and our need for him.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mitch, the problem certainly carries over into adulthood.  I think the lack of gospel to be a be contributor to the massive church dropout rates we are seeing. If kids are not connected to Christ through the gospel they will not be transformed on the inside, and this makes them leave the church when they leave the nest. They leave because they were never really connected to the vine.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that the legalism you speak of does not always look mean, ugly, or authoritative.  Sometimes it is cool, hip, and fun but it always leaves out Christ and our need for him.</p>
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		<title>Comment on The Cross &amp; Children&#8217;s Ministry by MitchTheFielder</title>
		<link>http://bethefruit.com/2009/08/21/the-cross-childrens-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-969</link>
		<dc:creator>MitchTheFielder</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:20:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethefruit.com/?p=254#comment-969</guid>
		<description>&quot;White-washing&quot; kids also leads to problems as they become adults. They are fed obedience and a list of rules and it creates legalism. There are so many people in the church that are adults that completely skip over the message of grace and go straight back to the law.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;White-washing&#8221; kids also leads to problems as they become adults. They are fed obedience and a list of rules and it creates legalism. There are so many people in the church that are adults that completely skip over the message of grace and go straight back to the law.</p>
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