Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I have to believe that Heb 13.17 does give healthy church leaders the responsibility to oversee and vet outside ministries which impact their congregation. The metaphor of sheep and a shepherd is apt here. Are not elders primarily shepherds caring for the feeding of the sheep? Should not they be watching also for false teachers disguised as wolves, ready to prey on their charge?
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I agree with this in the context of a congregation but I also think each individual (who is not a newborn Christian) is responsible to know enough of basic Christian truth to know whether a teacher is straying into unhealthy teachings that do more damage than good or worse are heresy.
Logistically for most congregations the leaders will be those who invite guest speakers and individuals will listen and evaluate the content for themselves and openly discuss around lunch or on the way home or in the courtyard what they liked and/or disliked about the message and delivery. But in addition to this many members will hear/read various ministries via radio, books, visiting other churches, etc.
In no instance outside the LC system have I ever seen church leaders adhere to one publisher's materials, guest speakers and events and expect their members to do likewise.