8 Support Policy

8 Support Policy

This evangelistic and teaching ministry, The Gospel Broadcasting Association, is a proprietary work of Russell L. Harris. This is not an "association" in the sense that it involves a multiplicity of labourers, or that a group of individuals directs the work or directly is involved in the work. Rather, the term "association" reflects the fact that, following the example of the Scripture, the evangelist is to be sent forth and supported in his work of evangelism by other Christians, and the fact that the teacher is to be supported in the physical realm by those whom he feeds in the spiritual realm.

Contemporary Christianity has adopted many perverse practices which are contrary to the teaching of the Scripture. Among these practices is that of forming a "church", in the sense of an artificial entity which is created by governmental edict and which operates under the law of the land. The Scriptural concept of a church is that of a local assembly of Christians who, having submitted to the authority of a man having the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher, assemble on a regular basis for worship, prayer, instruction in the Scripture, and fellowship. However, contemporary "churches" typically are formed in order that a group of individuals collectively, through the artificial entity which represents them, may own land and buildings and hire a pastor or teachers. But this practice is wrong from a number of standpoints, not the least of which is that, by making the pastor-teacher a mere hireling who is answerable to the congregation, the congregation denies the authority with which God has endowed the office of pastor-teacher. But the self-righteous take delight in keeping the pastor-teacher on a "short leash"; this they do through their niggardly giving and by holding over his head the threat of dismissal, should his teaching displease them.

The Scripture declares that those who are taught in the spiritual realm owe a personal debt in the physical realm to the teacher; and the Scripture commands that this debt be repaid directly to the evangelist or teacher. But this obligation must not be construed as a contractual arrangement between the members of local assembly and the pastor-teacher. The English word "pastor" means shepherd; thus does the Scripture portray the man whom God has placed in charge of the local assembly. Likewise, the Scripture portrays the Christian as a sheep which belongs to the Lord, Christ Jesus. The pastor-teacher is the servant of the Lord; he labours because the Lord has assigned him to feed, protect, and care for the sheep. The pastor-teacher and the evangelist answer directly to the Lord, Christ Jesus, and not to any human authority. The prerogative of those who are taught is limited to the action of departing and seeking out another local assembly.

Consequently, the Christian should understand that money or property (be it termed a "contribution", "offering", "gift", "donation", or whatever) made to this ministry or to any other legitimate Christian ministry is a donation which is made directly to the respective evangelist, pastor-teacher, or teacher, for his personal use and without restriction or reservation. In essence, the respective evangelist or teacher is the ministry; every legitimate Christian evangelical or teaching ministry is, in effect, a sole proprietorship. No man, by his contribution to a ministry, thereby purchases an interest in that ministry or becomes co-owner of the assets of the evangelist or teacher. No individual legitimately may "buy into" the ministry of another; no individual, by giving to a ministry, may legitimately gain a vested interest in, a measure of control over, or a voice in, the ministry of another.

8 Support Policy