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Topic: Church (Institutional)

Episode Topic Audio

2024-02-27
Female Pastors: Would you say "yes" or "no" to female pastors? "Why" or "Why not?" [1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:12-15, Acts 18:26-28, Romans 16:1, Matthew 23:9, Matthew 20:25-28].



2024-02-20
Women in Ministry: Are women allowed to be in ministry? [1 Timothy 2:12-15, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Romans 16:1, Matthew 23:11, Acts 18:24-26, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:28].



2024-02-19
Trajectory Application of Scripture: What do you think about the trajectory method and application of Biblical teaching? [Galatians 3:28, Matthew 20:26-28].



2024-01-30
Going to Chapel vs Church: If my daughter goes to chapel every day (at school), is that the same as going to church? What is a church? Rec: Topical lectures series, "Some Assembly Required." [1 Corinthians 11:17, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 16:15-18].



2023-12-28
Overly Emotional & Focused on Evangelism: What should I do about my overly emotional focus on evangelism and having no interest in general entertainment, my wife, outside activities, and such? [1 Corinthians 7:34].
Church Fellowship (Buena Park CA): What do you think of the Church "The Way Fellowship" in Buena Park, California? Is it a good church?


2023-12-27
Homosexual Unions in Church: What justification do churches use to support homosexual unions? [Luke 5:30-32, Matthew 15:18-19, Matthew 18:15-18, 1 Corinthians 6:9].



2023-12-13
Don't Attend Church: What do you think about a pastor that says not to tell people to go to church?



2023-11-29
Mega vs Small churches: Is it better to be in a small church, rather than a mega-church?



2023-11-16
Pastor's Salaries: What do you think about going to a church where the pastor is paid a salary? [Matthew 10:8, Galatians 1:10].



2023-11-14
Portland Area Church: Do you have any recommendations for churches in the Portland area?
Doctrines or Qualities of a Good Church: What should we be looking for in a church in order to find a healthy church? [John 13:34-35].
Steve Gregg Debates: How do you determine what to debate, and what does it take to get you to do a debate?

2023-10-27
Denominations: From where and when did denominations come? [2 Corinthians 3:17].



2023-10-27
Desirable Large Churches: In contrast to Steve's view that a smaller church is preferable, caller shares his view that larger churches have value.



2023-10-25
Disappointment in Churches: Having been terribly disappointed in organized churches, how does one find a good church? Rec: Fellowship Groups at Matthew713.com.



2023-10-10
Giving to the Church: If the money we give to the church is not finding its way to assist the poor and needy, should we stop giving to the church?
Worthy Charities: Steve mentions a couple of deserving charities that don't have highly paid staff (Shepherd's Heart, International, Cleveland TN and Christian Response International).


2023-10-04
Defining Christianity: Caller: If Christianity is all about the conspiracies and such that seem to be promoted these days, I am not sure I want it anymore. [1 Corinthians 5:12].



2023-09-11
Church Membership: How should I handle my Reformed church expecting me to check a box saying that I agree with their doctrine (Calvinism), especially in light of my wife's commitment to the church already?



2023-08-01
Church Membership & Accountability: Would you talk about church membership and accountability? [1 Corinthians 12:13, 2 Corinthians 4:2].



2023-07-07
Bible Being Disregarded in Contemporary Churches: Caller shares his observation that many churches have decided to disregard the Bible. Rec: Books; "The Strange Silence of the Bible in the Church: A Study in Hermeneutics" by James D. Smart and "Battle for the Bible" by Harold Lindsell.



2023-06-22
Qualities of a Good Church: Could you further explain the qualities of a good church? How do you assess doctrine over love, and vice versa? [Matthew 28:20, 1 Timothy 1:9-10, Titus 1:1ff].



2023-05-23
Resources on Ecclesiology: What are some good resources "ecclesiology"?
A Healthy Church: What do you think is necessary to have a healthy church?


2023-04-11
Paying Musicians in Church: Do you think it is acceptable to pay the church musciians? [Nehemiah 12:27, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Nehemiah 13:10-22, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Philippians 4:12]. (Caller's audio is very poor.)



2023-03-23
Evangelism-Billy Graham: Isn't it likely that many of those moved at a Billy Graham crusades were not really converted?
Church & State: Is it duplicitous if a church doesn't listen to the government and obey the law if they are a 501c3?


2023-03-22
Couple Going to Separate Churches: My wife likes a different church better than one we have gone to for a long time, and I don't want to abandon my old church. What should I do?



2023-03-06
Unity Among the Churches: Have you seen local churches get together for activities for the sake of unity? Doesn't it seeme like we should be doing more of that in this anti-Christian climate?



2023-02-23
Concerns About Pastor: Caller shares concerns about her pastor's ability to teach and his manipulation of the congregants to go forward in an altar call.



2023-02-16
Bethel Baptist Church: What do you think of "Bethel Baptist Church?"



2023-02-08
Church Departures: How should I approach someone if I want to know why he left our church?



2023-02-03
Finding a Good Church: What does one do if they are struggling to find a good and uncompromised church for fellowship? [Malachi 3:16].



2022-12-15
Church Stage & Altar When did we establish the church traditions with the stage and altar?



2022-11-07
Women in the Pulpit: Should we have women in the pulpit leading a church? [Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:1-4. I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6, I Timothy 2:12, Acts 18:24-26, 2 Timothy 4:19. 2 Timothy 1:5, Mark 16:5-7, Matthew 28:7].



2022-11-04
Employee of a Church: What do you think of becoming an employee of a church?



2022-11-01
Church Membership: What do you think of a pastor who says that people have to become members of a church, and that the early church was not really all the Christians in one town? [Ephesians 4:1-4].



2022-10-27
No Longer Attending Church: What do you think about a pastor who indicated that because I had a complaint about the outreach ministry of church, that "the devil had me?" I have not been back to church since. [Matthew 28:20].



2022-10-26
Caring for the Poor: How do we obey the directive to care for the poor, when most of our churches are into building nice buildings? [Luke 6:1-3, Acts 18:1-4].



2022-10-24
Black History Month: Should institutional churches be celebrating "Black History Month" or is this getting caught up with the "wokism" (woke-ism) of the day?



2022-10-05
Church Membership: Can you respond with some scripture that supports the idea of becoming a member of a local church? [I Corinthians 1:12-17].



2022-07-20
Modern Churches Welcoming the Sinners: Shouldn't our churches be more like physicians welcoming the sick into them, rather than a place of condemnation?



2022-07-13
Early Church Compared to Modern Church: Could you clarify what you meant by your critique of modern day church and pastors in contrast to the early church?



2022-07-12
Changing Churches: What kind of loyalty should one exhibit when considering changing churches?



2022-06-27
Any Other "Steve Greggs"?: Is there anyone else like you out there?
Steve Gregg's Church Attendance: Do you go attend a local church?
Guns: Should Christians own guns?

2022-06-14
Apostles & Church Leadership: What is the appropriate role for leadership and descision making in the church? Is the apostle in the church the final descision maker? Recommended topical lecture; "Some Assembly Required"-"Who Will Lead Us?" [Ephesians 4:11-12, I Thessalonians 1:1, I Thessalonians 26:, John 13:20, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, James 5:14, I Peter 5:1, I Corithians 12:29, 2 Corinthains 8:23].



2022-06-07
Cult-Like Churches: What do you think about the label of "cult" for the Catholic church?



2022-06-02
Finding Alternate Fellowship-Other than the Mega-Church: What does one do if they really find the mega-church experience (entertainment) is leaving one wanting? How do you find fellowship in a good church?
Professional Clergy & Institutional Church: Is the structure in the modern church model, with paid clergy, really what it should be? Recommended topical lecture; "Some Assembly Required."


2022-05-27
Pray to Find a Church Fellowship: Comment regarding an earlier caller and Steve's suggestion that he pray about finding a church.
"Only Begotten" vs "Unique" Son: When considering Jesus as the "only begotten" or "first begotten"-is this referring to our spiritual rebirth (being born again)? [John 3:16, Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5, Psalm 2:7, Acts 13:33, I Peter 1:3, Hebrews 6:5].


2022-04-25
Finding Truth Among Denominations: Since there is much conflict between denominations, how do we find the real truth?



2022-04-15
When to Leave a Church: What signs might God be giving that it is time to leave a particular church group?



2022-04-13
God's First Religion: Did God give a specific religion when He created Adam and Eve? (Jeremiah 31:34, I John 2:27].



2022-03-31
Modern Leadership Failures: Where would you put modern Christian leadership relative to bad motives and legalism discussed in Philippians? [Philippians 1:18, Philippians 3:2].



2022-03-18
Untrustworthiness in the Church: Could you advise us regarding our concern over the trustworthiness of some in charge of church affairs?



2022-03-16
Deconstruction (of the Church): Could you explain the word "deconstruction" as applied to the church?
Eternal Security (Once Saved, Always Saved): Do you believe in "Once Saved, Always Saved"? [Romans 11:22].


2022-03-02
Pastor Closing Doors During COVID: Should I go to my pastor and apologize for my anger about the church remaining closed when they should have opened?



2022-02-14
Church Meeting in the Basilica: I have been told that that the basilica is not biblical and should not be practiced. What do you think?



2022-02-09
Background Checks for Churches: Caller shares an alternate opinion about requiring background checks and clearance to work with children.
Rebellion Against Government Restrictions: Where should one draw the line in submitting to others, including government authorities & general civil rights? [Acts 5:29, Acts 4:19].
Cautioning Others to Avoid Persecution: Should I be cautioning my friend in China to be more careful about talking about things that could get him in trouble? [Matthew 10:16].

2022-02-08
Benefits to Institutional Churches Today: Isn't their a lot of benefits from the larger institutional churches today? [Romans 14:3-5].
The Persecuted Church: Does persecution cure the problem of disunity?
Infighting in the Church: What do we tend to fight over within the church? [Ephesians 4:3-6].

2022-02-04
Purpose of the Contemporary Church: Exactly what is the purpose of the modern day church, and why has the church left the early church model and tends not to use the gifts? [Acts 2].



2022-02-04
Background Checks in Church: Caller shares his experience with this church requiring a background check.



2022-01-11
Elders & Deacons: Do all churches need to have elders and deacons? [Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:1-4].



2022-01-04
When Your Life Doesn't Reflect Christ's Standards: Should one leave a church that promotes the idea that your life doesn't have to reflect God's standards?



2021-12-08
The Message Bible: What do you think about "The Message" Bible?
Pastor Completely Controlling the Church: Is the pastor supposed to be in complete control over the church? [Matthew 20:25-26, I Corinthians 11:3, James 5:14, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:1-4, 3 John 1:9, Acts 20:28, Titus 1:5].


2021-11-17
Steve's Website Caller Promotes.
The Church & "Bride of Christ": Who is the "Bride of Christ", and how do we enhance and identify with that role and the church?


2021-11-01
Early Church & Church Membership: What do you think of the numbers mentioned in scripture about how many were converting being evidence that they had a formal membership in the early church? [Acts 2, I Corinthians 3:4].



2021-10-05
Catholicism: What is the best argument against Catholicism? (Ref: Debate with Jimmy Aiken). [I Corinthians 11:3, Matthew 20:25, Luke 22:25].



2021-09-13
Catholic vs Protestant: Could you clarify your view about the origins of the church (Protestant or Catholic)?



2021-07-14
The Church as an Assembly: If we are "the church" does that mean we do not need to attend church anymore? [Hebrews 10:25].



2021-07-05
Sinful to Vote Contrary to the Pastor's Wishes: What would you say to a pastor who thinks voting contrary to his vote to change the church constitution would be sinful? [3 John 1:9, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:44].



2021-07-02
The Bride of Christ: What do you think of the concept of the "Bride of Christ" coming out of the church, rather than being, itself, the church? [Ephesians 5:31-32].



2021-06-30
Pastors Control the Church: Does the pastor have complete control of the church? Recommended Lecture; "Some Assembly Required." [Matthew 20:26, Mark 9:35].



2021-06-23
How Many Required for a Church?: How many people do you need to gather together to call yourself a church? [Matthew 18:20].
The Bible Project: Are you familiar with "The Bible Project" with Tim Mackie, and what do you think of it?


2021-03-22
Those That "Rule Over" Us: Could you talk about those in authority and how they are to "rule over" us-those in government, institutional church, home church, and how it relates to our own souls? [Hebrews 13:17, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:24].



2021-01-13
Disillusioned with the Church: Can you help me in my struggle with being disillusioned with the organized church and religious people? Do you think that this is why we may be facing persecution? [Matthew 20:26].



2016-12-19
Seeker-friendly churches: Churches that play loud, rock & roll type music it would seem would lose a whole bunch of older people, so counterproductive.



2016-10-07
Mega-churches: If I have reservations about our church, but my wife and kids are enjoying it (worship is like going to a concert, using a paraphrased Bible), what do you suggest?
Bethel Church in Redding: About Bethel Church's view of the continuation of the office of apostles and prophets, what teaching can you suggest? Recommended: topical lecture "Charisma and Character."


2016-10-05
Institutional Church: There seems to a lack of unity & love in the traditional, institutional church.



2016-09-16
Arguing People into Truth: Can you debate/argue people into the faith? What about loving/fellowshipping with people who are not Christian but other religions?
Church, Ecclesia & English Definition: What is the English definition of "church"? Isn't it in contrast to the Ecclesia derfinition which means "assembly", "a gathering" of people?


2016-09-09
Churches an Incubator: Some of the Churches in America are just incubators for infant Christians but not really making Disciples of Christ.
Church as an Evangelistic Mission Tool: When did the Church become exclusively all about evangelism instead of church discipleship? Is it exclusively an American phenomenon or around the entire world?


2016-05-05
501c3 registered churches: What do you think about churches being registered as 501c3's?



2016-05-04
The Church & Invisible Church: Can you comment about the (institutional) church verses the invisible church, some saying the latter is heretical?



2016-04-21
MEGA churches: Caller is concerned that her church that was relatively small at one point is just becoming a Megachurch, & is wondering the phenomenon of what's going on....just trying to bring in the people.



2016-04-20
The Institutional Church: The building up of a church, how is this not in some degree an "institutional" church?



2016-03-07
2 Models of Church: Caller is torn between 2 models of a way church should be run. Does Steve have any thoughts?



2016-02-25
Church Membership for Church Discipline: A church requires church membership because of church discipline so they don't get sued for slander.



2016-01-12
A Professional Worship Leader: Hiring a professional worship leader, is that biblical?



2015-05-27
Church Building Project Followup: What do you think about the new building project her church wants to do when people are being told they are not following the Spirit of God for not pledging to help? [Acts 2:46]



2013-12-17
Coarse Jesting: Can you talk about what coarse jesting is? [Ephesians 5:3-4]
Churches that are Aposatizing: So in follow up to a previous caller, what are we supposed to do about churches that are embracing sin? [Revelation 3:16]


2013-12-16
Large Churches: Caller called back to clarity what he meant when he called the other day about, is Steve saying large churches should disband & start home churches? How about just putting good pastors in the bigger churches?



2013-12-11
Church not Evangelism: Caller thinks that church IS an evangelistic tool.



2013-12-02
Best Bible Version: What is the best Bible version or translation?
Catholic Doctrines; Infallibility of the Pope & Praying to Mary: What to you think about the Catholic Church's doctrines of the "infallibiltiy of the pope" and praying to Mary?
Best Church to attend: What is the best denomination or church in which to find fellowship?

2013-11-27
Women Silent in the Church: What does Paul mean about women being silent in the church? [1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14]
Paul's Culture: Could it just have been that way, women keeping silent, because of the culture Paul was in?
Heading Coverings: Why did women have to cover their heads because of angels? [1 Corinthians 11:10]

2013-10-22
Steve's Followers: Has Steve ever encountered people who believe exactly like him in all things?
Steve Leaving the Church in Idaho: Why did Steve leave the church he loved so much in Idaho?


2013-10-08
Healing Rooms: Caller is concerned about a book she's reading at a Bible Study called, "Prophecy & Wisdom" by Graham Cooke & Randy Clark, which talks aboaut healing rooms & stuff that happens at Bethany. What does Steve think?
Heidi Baker: Have you ever heard of Heidi Baker?
Fellowshipping at churches that Disagree: Is there any churches I can go to that won't mind me being a partial preterist & not agree with them? Are there any churches that agree with the Partial Preterism paradigm?

2013-08-28
Institutional Churches: Is a pastor supposed to be in "control" of you? [Hebrews 13:17]



2013-08-26
Institutional Church: So should we leave the "institutional church"?



2013-07-26
Church Membership: Is Church Membership-being forced to sign a piece of paper-biblical? [1 Corinthians 1]



2013-06-19
Local Church Blessed by God: How do you know if your local church is blessed by God?



2013-06-18
Pastorless Church: How should a church look for a new pastor?



2013-05-29
Ten Commandments Application: Do you think that the whole Old Testament is not really for us as believers? [2 Timothy 3:16].
Sabbath Worship is Sunday: Isn't it appropriate to consider that for us today the Sabbath Day refers simply to Sunday, or whatever day you gather to worship with others?


2013-05-21
Pastor's Salary: How do you figure out the pastor's salary? [Matthew 10:8, Galatians 6:6, I Timothy 5:17].



2013-05-15
Church Hierarchy & Authority: Doesn't the protestant church have a kind of authority, though unlike the Catholic church, a hierachy in measure? Have we not thrown the baby out with the bath water?[Ephesians 4:13].



2013-05-15
Recommended Article: At Missionfrontiers.org (of May 2013) there is an article on the way we do church that is very valuable.



2013-05-15
Early Church Authority & Hierarchy: Do you understand that, in contrast to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, we really should not have any hierarchy or authority, except in scripture and the Holy Spirit? [I Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:5, Acts 20, Acts 1:20, I Timothy 2:12, Matthew 20:25, 2 Timothy 2:2].



2013-05-02
Jesus' Anger as Oppossed to Jesus': If Peter had turned the tables over in the temple, would he have been justified in doing so?
The Sanctity of the Church (building): What about the sanctity of the church building-like those meeting in schools or nightclubs?
The Qur'an (or Koran): Should I be reading the Qur'an if I am not very grounded in the Bible?

2013-04-30
Church in the Last Days: Do we need to be in church in the last days? [Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 18:20, I John 5:1].
Offering Sacrifices to God Now: How do we offer sacrifices to God today? [ I Peter 2:5, Hebrews 13:15, Philippians 4:12-23, Romans 12:1].


2013-04-22
Church History, Order & Structure: What would you expect from an ideal church structure? [I Timothy 3:1, TItus 1, Matthew 20:26, Mark 10:43, Mtthew 23:8-9, I Thessalonians 5:12, I Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 1:24].



2013-04-15
Poem: May I read a short poem; "Trouble in the Amen Corner" by Thomas Harbaugh?
Hope & Knowledge of God's Will: What does it mean "to lay up hope" and "knowledge of His will" in Colossians 1? [Colossians 1:5, Colossians 1:9].
Reconciling contradiction-Forgiveness vs Repayment: How do you reconcile scripture that says our sins are forgiven and others that say that we will be held accountable for what we have done? [Colossians 3:25, Colossians 1:14, Matthew 5, I Corinthians 7:17-24, Ephesians 6:5-9].

2013-03-29
Attending Institutional Church: Are you discouraging people from going to a local church?
Finding Pastors & Teachers: If one does not attend a local church, where else might one find pastors and teachers?
Gifts of the Spirit Still Viable: Do you believe that the gifts of the Spirit are still viable today?

2013-03-29
"Means of Grace" (Sacraments): Is there a church hierarchy that established the administeration of the "means of grace" (sacraments)
Sacraments, Grace & Faith: Would they differentiate between the adminstration of the sacraments, means of grace, and being saved by faith? [2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 2:8-9].
Conspiracies About the Resurrection: Are not the conspiracies surrounding the attempt to discredit the resurrection suggest a mindset that goes against reason and evidence?

2012-01-17
Catholic vs Non-Catholic (Protestant)-Hierarchy-Pope & Priests: Discussion between Steve and Catholic Tim Staples on the hierarchy in the church (Pope). [Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Luke 10:16-23, 1 John 4:6, John 11:49-50, Matthew 21:41, Acts 1:20, Psalm 109:8, Psalm 69:25, Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 8:6, Matthew 18:18, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6].



2012-01-16
Catholic Guest: Tim Staples: Steve introduces Tim Staples, host of the "Catholic Answers" radio program (Catholic.com). Steve and Tim discuss opposing views in the Catholic and Protestant Views.
Catholic vs. Non-Catholic (Protestant)-Spiritual Authority: Steve and Catholic Tim Staples discuss the difference in views about the spiritual authority of the church. [2 Thessalonians 2:15, Matthew 18:15-18, Matthew 21:23-27, Isaiah 22:16-22, Acts 15, Matthew 23:2, Matthew 15, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Deuteronomy 17:8, Matthew 18:6, Matthew 20:25-29, 2 Peter 2:10, 2 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Matthew 23:10, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 51:1-2, Luke 10:16, Matthew 23:8, Ephesians 4:11, James 3:1, 1 Corinthians 12, Matthew 16:19].
Catholic vs. Non-Catholic (Protestant)-The Stakes: Steve and Catholic Tim Staples discuss; If one doesn't think Catholics are correct but can be saved, then what is at stake? What is the benefit of being Catholic or Protestant? [Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 23:10].

2012-01-05
Other Denominations & the Church of Christ: What about attending various churches rather than one specific denomination?
Hearing the Holy Spirit: Aren't we able to hear from the Holy Spirit today, and He gives discernment?
Music in Church: Someone in the "Church of Christ" thinks instrumental music in church is wrong. What do you think?
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