The Remnant – Part 1

Over the next several weeks we are reading “The Remnant” by Larry Stockstill. The subtitle of the book is ‘Restoring Integrity to American Ministry’. The happenings over the last several years prove this type of book is needed. The book is broken down into two parts: Part 1 is titled ‘Help for the Dysfunctional Church’ and Part 2 is ‘The Ten Commandments of Ministry’. This week we will start with the first three chapters and move through the rest of Part One next week.

Larry Stockstill opens the book with the statement “I’m going to shake this nation.” This shaking will awaken a new breed of pastors and laypeople who will examine some important questions of ministry; calling for a transparency and integrity to ministry.

In Part One we look at the dysfunctions of the church. The term ’dysfunction’ is defined as “deviating from normal behavior”. As we discuss these five functions, we will also look at the cure for these dysfunctions found in a return to the fivefold ministry of the church in Ephesians 4:11.”And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

The first dysfunction is ‘The Unfathered Church”. “Fathering is a basic human need and those in ministry are not exempt from it.” Even Jesus was affirmed by his Father in heaven in Mark 1:11. “You are my Son, whom I love, and with you I am well pleased.” Stockstill says “Affirmation, however, is not optional but totally necessary for a leader to function correctly.”

The cure for the Unfathered Church as described by Stockstill is ‘The Government and Mentoring through the Apostle”. Government, what is he talking about? Make sure you read to see exactly what he means by government. He states “All church government should flow from an environment of affirmation, validation and acceptance.” He describes government as “the operation of seasoned spiritual fathers who develop and mentor protégés as though they were sons.” The government process then provides the apostolic function in ministry. I am fortunate to have someone like Pastor Robert Owen as my spiritual father. I believe each of us need someone in our lives that can pour into us. Someone we can look to for advice, enrichment, affirmation and encouragement. Who is that in your life?

The second dysfunction we see is the ‘Uncorrected Church’. In the Bible we see the prophet of God as someone who “called it like it was.” The prophet was no respecter of persons. He confronted kings and servants alike . “Accountability was built into the prophetic office and was intended to bring deliverance rather than destruction.” We see in the Old Testament the prophet Nathan confronting David. Now that guy had guts. Last week in church we talked about the discipline of the Lord. How he uses different things to discipline us. One of those things was the Spiritual Authority over us. Stockstill talks about the importance of accountability today within the church. But unfortunately there is little. “Choices without consequences bring confusion”. “The world looks upon the church’s abuse of authority and lack of accountability as ultimate hypocrisy”. Boy is that true.

The cure he presents is “Accountability and standards through the Prophet”. The church and leadership must be held at higher standards. We are to be an example to the world. We are to lead the way. People must be held responsible for their decisions. I thank God for my accountability partner. We have given each other permission to ask the hard questions to one another. This protects both of us.

Stockstill writes “Fathering the unfathered church and standards for an uncorrected church will lay a new foundation for touching America. Security and sincerity will reign.” People want something that is real today. Wouldn’t it be great if the church was that example?