Some churches believe that if they hire the right preacher, a growth "plosion will take place. If they hire the right man and the growth does not take place, they endure him for one or two years and then try again.

Here in the Detroit area I often pass by a Baptist Church building. From what I have heard this church has gone through four building campaigns in the past ten yews. Their first building seated 300. Their second seated 500. Their third seated 900. And the present building seats about 2,000. They have an attendance of about 1400 each Sunday. They are a church that has (according to them) found the right man! But Is the right man "God's Man?"

This idea of hiring the right preacher to obtain growth is a sectarian concept. If we we going to hold to such ideas, why not go all the way with it? The next preacher you hire, give him the authority in the congregation to run things as he sees flt. Make him "The Pastor." Whatever plan he institutes for growth must be followed! If he want a gym, bowling alley, or whatever, buy or build it. After all, if he is going to be the "man" to bring growth as sectarian preachers bring growth, he must have the same authority and use the same techniques.

What I have noticed about this Baptist church is their preacher (who they consider to be the right man) does not follow the Bible in so many ways. For example:

1. He encourages the use of choirs, chorales, quartets, rock bands in the services of the church. Of course all of these are groups use the instrument of music. Look at Col.3:17 & Eph 5:19.

2. He encourages the use of women in the services: women choir directors, women on the church board, women teaching mixed adult Bible classes, women educational directors, women youth ministers, etc. Look at I Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim 2:11-12.

3. He encourages the partaking of the Lord's Supper on days not authorized. Look at Acts 20;7

4. He encourages the religious observance of special days - such as Christmas and Easter. Look at Gal 4:9-1 1 and Col.2:16-17.

5. He encourages the fellowship of every religious group in our community. Look at 2 John 9.

6. He says he and his followers are Christians but not the only Christians. Look at Tit 1:9.

7. He encourages the reading of the Baptist Church Manual along with the Bible. Look at 2 Tim 3:16-17; Acts 20:32; Col 1: I 8.

8. He encourages congregational voting- he says we are a democracy. Look at I Peter 5:14.

9. He encourages the raising of funds by car washes, bake sales, yard sales, r rummage, etc. Look at I Cor 16:1-2.

10. He won't tell the people what the Bible says do to be saved. Look at Acts 2:38; 22:16.

That 1400 member Baptist church really think they have gotten themselves the right man. But from the number of scriptures this man and his followers have violated it does not look like he is God's Man.

Some among us would like to look big and beautiful to the world but God looks on the inside of the heart of a man.

How many of the things listed above are now practiced in the churches of Christ? We can be just as big as the 1400 member Baptist church if we will forsake the scriptures and do the things listed above. Which do you think pleases God and has God's approval. To be big and beautiful and worldly or to be religiously right before God regardless of the number of members?

The right man is the man of God who speaks for God, not adding or subtracting from the Word of God. If you want the right man hire the man who is God's man.