Competing Churches

Question:

If 2 churches, heaped in the Lord, believe that they were the one and true Church, and pray against each other, how does God deal with their prayers? Whose prayer does he answer? How does God know which one is the True Church?

  

My Reply:

Churches are not supposed to compete against one another...not if they're really members of the Body of Christ.  Although many do anyway.  

The Apostle Paul actually talked about this, for in the Corinthian church, people were arguing with each other about status, theologians, doctrine, etc. But Paul said that neither are unneeded, and went into comparing the Church with a body...I like to say that you never realize why you need particular toes until you break one. In the same way, for churches to compete with one another or pray against each other is un-Christian. So in terms of prayer, I'd guess that God would hear them both, but also challenge each other with the words they say against the other. For example, if one is claiming to be the true church, then in due time, the Lord will humble them, for the one and only true Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of every believer with the Holy Spirit around the world.

I have heard of churches in the past claiming to be the one and only true Church, and they ALL were later found to be cults of some sort. Only the True Church recognizes the fellowship of believers, the communion of the Saints, the Body of Christ, and Jesus as the center.

---Pastor Andy

Recommendations for a book for bible study?

Question:

I'm looking for something that has scripture and maybe questions for discussion. We're a bunch of 20-25 year old girls who meet once a week. Thanks for you help!

My Reply:

In terms of books in the Bible:

My wife & I went through the book of Joshua (Bible), which is a great book for young leaders, teaches to consult the Lord before every big decision, and fulfillments of promises. It also ends with a great note.

Judges was a fun one, also, for in it, God calls several different people (and different kings of people) to serve Him and rescue His people. It also explains that throughout most of the time then, there was no king and so everybody did as they thought was right. So it's a good comparison with issues of the world/Church today.

1 Corinthians seems to touch on many issues that are great discussion-starters, for it talks about problems within the walls of the Church, and among its people. It starts with conflict, goes into bad representation of God, talks about death and resurrection, and even how to worship (or how not to).
(feel free to email me...I've written a Bible Study for it I'd be happy to email you...free, no strings).

Non-Bible books:
-Max Lucado: "Facing Your Giants"
-Gary Chapman: "The 5 Love Languages"
-Lee Strobel: "The Case For..." (faith, Christ, Easter, Christmas...)
-"Influencing Like Jesus"

---Pastor Andy