Thanks for an informative The Alabama Baptist. As a deacon in a church without a pastor, I sense a need for the laity to sacrifice ego and self-will in harmonizing zeal for soul winning. Your article on a methodology for church growth included a challenging guide.
Surely warm fellowship, deep discipleship, strong worship, broad ministry and large evangelism are soul-winning needs in any church. By focusing on these needs and observing 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order,” we can have a spiritual atmosphere in which agape love can thrive.
As James L. Sullivan explains in his revised edition of Baptist Polity, we need to distinguish between pure democracy and theodemocracy. He explains that the latter is a God-guided process in which calm business meetings can be moderated without a takeover by special interest groups.
By observing mutually-agreed-upon bylaws, under God, in a climate of openness and trust, we can get on with lay renewal and soul winning.
John A. Vanderford
Jacksonville, Ala.
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