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Over the
past several years I have called attention to
some of the serious problems going on in the Church
and in the Messianic Jewish Community. I have
been thinking and praying about this for several
years, and now is the time to further expand this
aspect of my ministry. I am calling it Shoareem
- Gatekeepers (pronounced show-ah-reem). Gatekeepers
were men with a very important office in Israel.
In the days when the Beit HaMikdash (the Holy
House, the Temple) was in existence, the gatekeepers
were the ones responsible to guard the various
entrances to the Temple. They made sure that the
Holy Place wouldn't be defiled. They prevented
anyone who was unholy or unauthorized from going
where they did not belong. They guarded and protected
the good and holy things within from defilement
and loss and intrusion from without.
Gatekeeping
is an essential function of godly leadership.
It is necessary for sound congregations and organizations,
and healthy individuals. Where there are serious
errors in doctrine or practice within the Community
of Believers, we must judge ourselves, and isolate
and exclude serious offenders until they can be
restored. It is right to point out their errors
so that others may learn where they went wrong,
and not follow their example. Public sins, especially
of a doctrinal or theological nature, call for
public correction.
Recently
this has not been happening within the Church,
and especially within Messianic Judaism. Some
of the key leaders in the Messianic Jewish movement
have failed to be the gatekeepers they should.
In fact, some of these would-be gatekeepers used
their authority to exclude me when I dared to
bring to the public's attention some of these
extremely serious problems!
Not only
will we be calling attention to those who are
missing the mark, but we will also be commending
those who are doing well. You'll also want to
watch our monthly Shema newsletter for periodic
news items concerning doctrine or theology, which
will also appear under the heading "Shoareem -
Gatekeepers." Feel free to contact us and let
us know about any questionable teachings you encounter,
especially those that identify themselves as "Messianic."
Likewise, if you hear of successes in correcting
doctrinal errors, please let us know, so that
we'll have good news to share as well.
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