InterChurch News 

'A truthful witness saves lives' -Proverbs 14:25

Member: California Newspaper Publishers Assoc. / Digital News  

 March 2024 | Est. 2013  

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 'A truthful witness saves lives'

-Proverbs 14:25 

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Photo (L): California's Big Sur coastline.

-Photo InterChurch News

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InterChurch News

W. Keith Sloane

  Publisher-Editor 

951-357-9953

editor@interchurchnews.org

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 Communicating to 

 the needs 

 of the saints 

Romans 12:13

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'Open your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.'

-Proverbs 31:8-9

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About

Statement of Faith

The Church in the Wilderness

(Reflections on Church Government)

Cults

The Integrity of the Office of Pastor

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About

InterChurch News is a prototype digital news and resource service designed to inform, network and encourage evangelical Christians in these last days.

Established September 20, 2013 in southwestern Riverside County, the edit-at-will, veteran-owned twofold mission of IC News is to 'communicate to the needs' of the tithing and taxpaying evangelical church community -- while serving as a truth witness to the public at large..

Establish lines of communication

Conservative evangelicals are multi-faceted, multi-cultural: in the world, but not of the world. The Bible demonstrates Christians ought to find common ground with other peoples and cultures and present the gospel as time and opportunity permits; therefore political, cultural and medical news -- water cooler news -- is included.

Our foundational verses include: 'So then while we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith' (Gal. 6:10); 'Contribute to the needs of the saints ...' (Rom. 12:13) and 'Wake up, and strengthen what remains ...' (Rev. 3:2).

Forerunner: Bulletin-insert distribution to 17 West Los Angeles churches in 2001:

 

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Forerunners of InterChurch News & Resource Service (above): The Grapevine West L.A. Edition (1993 - 2001).

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Forerunner of InterChurch News & Resource Service (above): Weekly Dispatch (1997 - 2001)

Distributed as a suppliment to semimonthly bulletin-insert, was faxed to 17 subscriber church offices

and up to 80 church or parachurch ministries throughout Los Angeles. 

The publisher-editor holds a bachelors degree in journalism with a discipline in religion from Pepperdine University (see Editor's Testimony).

InterChurch News has been visited by readers with IP addresses from over 100 countries -- including Afghanistan, Australia, China, Ecuador, Israel, Russian Federation, Ukraine -- even Vatican State. We hold membership in the California Newspaper Publishers Association for accountability and legal advice. We utilize the Associated Press Stylebook for newswriting and editing consistency.   

IC News does not use Facebook and most other popular social media platforms. Since the 2020 Election when the Democrat Party took control of three of the four branches of government (media as Fourth Estate), conservatives have been censored, arrested, IP data harvested and tracked.

Red capped, taxpaying American patriots in MAGA (Make America Great Again) -- millions of whom are conservative Evangelicals -- were targeted as insurrectionists and 'America's greatest threat' in president Joe Biden's November 2, 2022 midterm pre-election primetime broadcast.

(For the record, president Donald Trump was -- and is -- considered an 'America first' president. Islamic State's reign of terror was all but elimimated quickly under the Trump presidency. N. Korea stopped launching missles over Japan. The US economy was booming as companies gave employees raises and bonuses from corporate tax cuts. America was energy independent. Christian schools and colleges were protected from LGBT lawsuits over Title IX interpretation. Trump exposed Fake News -- but never advocated censorship.)

Yet, the 600-plus violent Democrat-aligned Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots from May 25, 2020 into the summer and onward were not condemned as a threat by Biden -- instead, blaming MAGA as Hitler did Jews. Not surprisingly, conservative Evangelicals -- and MAGA -- are Israel's greatest allies. 

Where is the Pope's condemnation of the president? Biden, a Catholic, promotes abortion-on demand and same-sex marriage -- with their fostering or adoption of innocent children. 

In fact, June 1, 2020, Democrat VP nominee Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted from her 'United States government official' Twitter account: '... chip in now ... help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota.' 

Her tweet wasn't concerning the January 6th 'Stop the Steal' Capitol protest's political prisoners. No, Harris' tweet was six months earlier, just three days after the Third Precinct in Minneapolis was evacuated, looted and set on fire by protestors reacting to the video death of George Floyd in police custody.

Many Americans viewed the Black Lives Matter and Antifa 600-plus violent nationwide protests -- during COVID-19 lockdowns -- as the insurrection. 

Indeed, the definition of 'freedom' and 'tolerance' in America is in turbulent redefinition. Freedom is evolving to mean freedom to sin with no restraint to sinful, sexual desires. Tolerance is not 'live and let live' to those on the Left -- it is 'tolerant me or else.' Temperance, decency, respect to this end is all but vanishing. 

Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-D) famously gave marching orders June 2018 to Democrats if they spotted then-president Trump's cabinet members in restaurants or gas stations:

'Harass them ... create a crowd' she said. 'Tell them they are not welcome!' 

The first chapter in the Book of Romans describes this generation's malady. More than ever in America, the gospel is needed.

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'Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

prisoners in affliction and in irons,

for they had rebelled against the words of God,

and spurned the counsel of the Most High.'

-Psalm 107:10-11

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'Truth is lacking,

and he who departs from evil 

makes himself a prey.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him

that there was no justice.' 

-Isaiah 59:15

Editorials are the opinion of the editor and not necessarily representative in all -- or part -- by the evangelical community we seek to serve. Under First Amendment protection, our editorial position is to exercise the right to freedom of -- and to -- religion, speech and the press; to defend the rights of the oppressed, the unborn, adoptive children and children of faith enrolled in taxpayer-funded public schools -- as well as private and home schools. 

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Save Lives -- Don't Placate A Culture of Reprobate Minds

InterChurch News advocates non-violent resistance, pro-active measures (evangelism, fact-based information and voting) to overturn the redefinition of marriage as ruled in the 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2015.

'Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.' -Hebrews 13:4

We are opposed to SCOTUS-approved word-theft of 'family,' 'parent,' 'father,' 'mother,' 'husband' and 'wife' to accomodate same-sex couples in their attempt to legitimize sin as defined in our Bible.

We believe in saving lives -- not placating a culture of reprobate minds.

For the U.S. Supreme Court to nationalize the adoption of children to same-sex couples is a great sin on this nation. We consider their ruling legalized child abuse -- a violation of the universal rights of children.

Nations are mandated to protect 'the best interests of the child' -- an unwitting foster and adoptive baby and/or child's right is to be cared for and raised by parents comprised of a biological XY male (father) and a biological XX female (mother) in the household.

Jesus said: 

'... whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea ... woe to the one whom the temptation comes ... do not despise one of these little ones ... in heaven their angels always see the face of of my Father who is in heaven.' -Matthew 18:5-11

When necessary, to protect others, our family and even our Christian reputation, we may chose prayfully and with wise counsel, as the apostle Paul, to 'appeal to Ceasar' -- that is, as American citizen Christians, utilize the legal system to stop, discourage and expose evil. 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is reliable in the interplay of history and prophecy, of mankind's inherent sin nature since the fall of Adam and Eve, the broken relationship with God and consequences thereof, and God's offering of forgiveness and redemption soley and uniquely through faith in Jesus Christ as the only son of the living God. 

'Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" -John 14:6

The internet provided InterChurch News with an unexpected worldwide audience since established in 2013 (see international reader list at bottom of page). Internet statistics as of December 31, 2021: 37,000 unique visitors, 90,000 visits, 324,000 pages viewed; 4.7 million hits from over 100 countries including Vatican State.

Not a big splash production, InterChurch News continues to advance as 'Twenty-six Lead Soldiers' march -- and the Lord wills. 

Early Days: The Grapevine, circa 1980, weekly distribution needs sheet to 30+ home Bible study groups

within Calvary Chapel of San Diego, North Park network.

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Statement of Faith

Here at InterChurch News, we hold to the National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith:*

  • We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
  • We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
  • We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential.
  • We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
  • We believe in the resurrection of both saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
  • We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.Church in the Wilderness

Reflections on Church Government

A template for non-denominational churches

References:

'The Philosophy of Ministry,'

and

'Calvary Chapel Distinctives -- The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement'

-by Pastor Chuck Smith.

lllustration, 'The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel,' by Chuch Smith. 

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What does your church government model look like?

The above illustration is the model presented as God's government for the church according to Chuck Smith, the late Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa senior pastor and founding pastor of the Calvary Chapel Movement and/or Jesus Movement in S. California (see: 'The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel,' by Chuck Smith, © 1992, 1993 Logos Media Group/Revised edition © 2009 Somebody Loves You Media Group).

The booklet 'was transcribed from a message given to the leadership of Calvary Chapel of West Covina on December 13, 1988.'

InterChurch News is not affiliated with a church or denomination, but pastor Chuck Smith's book lays a foundation to begin conversations for non-denominational church government and ministry applications. 

In Smith's model of church government, the pastor appoints and anoints elders -- as well as assistant pastors -- to help minister to the congregation's spiritual and physical needs.

The church Board is composed of elders within the church (pg. 24/31).

The Board -- embedded in the church -- 'discuss and decide the business aspects of the church, the requests for help that they have from various missionary groups, ministries.'

Smith: 'If someone in the church comes to a board member about something they feel that the church ought to be doing, it is presented at the board meeting. The board will discuss it and pray about it together, and oftentimes the board will say, "Chuck, what do you feel that we should do?" The board recognizes that God has called me to be the pastor of the church, the shepherd. In Calvary Chapel the pastor is not a hireling' (pg. 24/31).

In Chuck Smith's church government model, the pastor is vested with the authority to hire -- and fire -- the Board (pgs. 25-26/33-34). Smith does not here address the steps to remedy a pastor who has fallen into sin. Nor does he discuss what constitutes a volunteer or a salaried staff position.

In the Philosophy of Ministry model, the assistant pastors oversee various aspects of the church: Jr. High, single adults, married couples, special interest groups.

According to Smith, among other responsibilities, 'the board is there as a protection for the pastor, a buffer to stand between [the pastor]  and the people when difficult decisions are made that are not always acceptable or agreeable to the entire body' (pg. 27/35).

The pastor, if cornered about a polarizing decision, Smith said, can point to the Board. The pastor is right to say, 'But the board made their decision' i.e., the Board decided, and now it's out of the pastor's hands. As a result, Smith said, the congregation won't polarize or divide against their pastor.

They may polarize against the Board, but not against their pastor. 

Smith briefly addresses the role of deacons in his book, 'Calvary Chapel Distinctives -- The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement.' He wrote: 'It is my belief everyone should be a deacon (italics added for emphasis). The ministry of helps was the essence of the deacons function. They were to look after the facilities. They were to look after the needs of the congregation and help the sick.'

To this we would ask, was Smith advocating all saints possess the spiritual gift of helps (1 Cor. 12:28) -- or the heart to help? We think the latter. 

Smith also states giving titles to people in the church was 'a dangerous thing.' In fact, he said, it was 'one of the worst things.' 

Notwithstanding Pastor Smith's experienced opinion, New Testament verses cite the early church-government titles of overseers, elders and deacons. They include: 'To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons' (Phil. 1:1), 'Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him'  (Acts 20:17), '... the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God' (Acts 20:28), 'This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task' (1 Tim. 3:1), 'Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued' (1 Tim. 3:8), 'Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord' (James 5:14).

'In essence,' Smith said, 'the philosophy of Calvary Chapel is to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry and to build up the body of Christ, instructing them in the Word until they come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and into a full maturity ...' (pg. 14/18). 

Amen. 

Yes, We Have No Secrets --

Hold Church Board Meetings as City Council Meetings

'For by wise guidance you will wage war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.'

-Proverbs 24:6

Pastor Chuck Smith's books, 'The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel' and 'Calvary Chapel Distinctives -- The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement' provide checks and balances within church goverment  -- Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14; Acts 17:11), the pastor, Board, elders, deacons and congregation.

However, it is our opinion greater transparency is needed today within non-denominational, autonomous churches who have little to no oversight. For example, why not post church Board meeting notifications in church bulletins, bulletin board and church websites in order to provide the opportunity for tithing congregation members to address the Board with concerns and ideas?

How about an open mic?

Taking a step further, we opine church Board meetings should be as open to the tithing congregation -- as local County Supervisors, City Council and School Board meetings are open to their taxpaying public. Why not?

Click here to review Current and Upcoming Meetings for the City of Menifee. The planned 6 p.m. December 7th, 2022 Menifee City Council meeting, for example, includes agenda starting with Roll Call, 'Words of Inspiration' by Pastor Ryan Sharp of Impact Church and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

(On a side note, churches should asign 'ambassadors' to sit in, participate -- perhaps speak during Public Comments -- and report back to the church on issues of concern. Also, church ambassadors should attend the local school board meetings.)

The church should do its due diligence to provide the who, what, where, when, how and why the congregation's tithes are invested -- whether its ministries, salaries, 401K Plans, property investments or to help meet the needs of its own and the community. 

The members of a church Board and their meetings should not be a mystery to the congregation. All members of the Board should be above reproach. The Board should have a rapport with the congregation, and report the church budget to the congregation on a regular basis.

Board members names and photos -- along with the church's pastors, elders, deacons and adminstration -- should be on the church's website with office phone numbers and email links. 

By law, all nonprofit budgets are to be available to the public upon request -- but congregants shouldn't be placed in the position to ask for a copy of the budget from the front office. Congregants should be encouraged from the pulpit or from bulletin announcements (i.e. 'Copies of the 2023-2024 church budget are available in the office this week').

Copies of the Board meeting agenda and minutes should be posted and available via church websites or offices -- as well as access for tithing members of the congregation to the 501(c)(3) church budget/IRS statement. 

'The entire church, from the pastor on down,' pastor Chuck said, 'is here to minister to the needs of others. We are not here to be ministered to. We do not look to the people to minister to us; we look for ways to minister to them' (pg. 19/25). 

Opinion: Holding open church Board meetings would minister, deepen trust, open the windows of heaven to the congregation. 

If today you or your family are tithing to a church that does not provide a budget report -- and you are intimidated to even ask the leaders or church office about the budget -- we suggest it's a red flag and time to consider relocating to a church that discloses its budget freely and willingly. 

We suggest the church you participate in and tithe to needs to be where God ultimately leads you -- where you get fed and grow in the Word of God and where the gifts and distribution of the Holy Spirit are allowed to be used for the building of His church.

If you are in a prolonged spiritual rut at your church, hit a wall in your growth as a Christian, ask God why. Perhaps the devil is causing doubts, confusion, fear because God wants you stay the course in your current church to be and receive a blessing -- or is God using His staff to move you to a new church, a new team, to bless others and be blessed?

It would seem the right thing to do is to finacially support a church where the congregants do not feel intimidated to ask reasonable questions about the church's finances -- the books are open.

Are you intimidated to ask your spouse about finances or other things? We think not. The New Testament church is a relationship: 

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The Fellowship of the Believers

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

-Acts 2:42-47

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Ref: For updates on Calvary Chapel movement, see Calvary Chapel Association.

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 Well, what does an 'Evangelical' look like? (video)

   National Association of Evangelicals Denominational Members * www.nae.net 

NAE Denominational Members (39): Advent Christian General Conference, Anglican Mission in America, Assemblies of God, Brethren Church, The Brethren in Christ Church, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Christian Union, Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), Church of the Nazarene, Conservative Congregation Christian Conference, Converge Worldwide, Elim Fellowship, Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches, Evangelical Church, Evangelical Congregational Church, Evangelical Free Church of America, Evangelical Friends Church International, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Every Nation Churches, Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, Foursquare Church, Free Methodist Church USA, General Association of General Baptist, Grace Commission Churches, Great Commission Churches, International Pentecostal Church of Christ, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Missionary Church, Inc., North American Baptist Conference, Open Bible Churches, Presbyterian Church in America, Primitive Methodist Church USA, Salvation Army, Transformation Ministries, United Brethren in Christ, US Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches, Vineyard USA, Wesleyan Church.

Note: Numerous non-denominational associations or congregations, not listed in the NAE denominational, such as Calvary Chapel, Cornerstone, The Grove, Rock Church, Sandals Church, etc., are recognized as evangelical like-minded congregations.

InterChurch News respects and considers friends of the faith Protestant denominations of Amish, Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, Mennonite, Southern Baptist Convention and like-minded others. 

Cults

'For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.'

-Romans 10:2

'All war is deception.' - Chinese General, 500 B.C. 

A working knowledge of the Bible, the cooperation of the Holy Spirit and wisdom are the best defenses to identify -- and avoid -- a cult. Three companion books in a witnessing believer's library could well include: 'Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions' by John Ankerberg and John Weldon; 'Handbook of Denominations in the United States -- 13th Edition' by Grieg D. Atwood, Franks S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill; 'The Kingdom of the Cults' by Walter R. Martin.

We believe true-Christians can be caught up in cults and we seek to retrieve those individuals into a faith-affirming body of believers such as those listed above (we intend to provide a church locater for our readers). We also seek to restore those who have fallen away from the faith into a restored, affirming relationship with Jesus Christ and into fellowship with a body of true believers. 

Concerning the Roman Catholic Church (briefly): InterChurch News appreciates Christians can learn from the life and writings of selected Catholics such as Augustine, Aquinas, St. Francis and others, and appreciate the Catholic church as a moral alliance to protect the family and children, to end abortion on demand, and restore the dignity of marriage to what God intended a between a man (XY) and woman (XX). -- and the raising of children by a father and mother.

But was the mother of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, without inherent sin --  a sinless person? The Bible teaches 'all have sinned' since the fall of Adam and Eve (save Jesus Christ). Notably, Jesus never calls Mary 'mother' -- but only 'woman' as recorded in the four gospels. And after her name in Acts 1:14, Mary is never again mentioned in the New Testament -- not even in Revelation -- no prayers are recorded in the New Testament via Mary.

For further understanding of our pilgrims progress-type map to follow the right path of sacrificial obedience to Jesus Christ, we refer you to: 'The Cost of Discipleship' and 'Life Together' by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 'Mere Chrisitianity' by C.S. Lewis, 'Calvary Chapel Distinctives -- The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement' by Chuck Smith, 'The Westminster Confession of Faith' by G.I. Williamson, 'The Preacher's Portrait' by John Stott and 'Baptised into Wilderness - A Christian Perspective on John Muir' by Richard Cartwright Austin. 

The Integrity of the Office of Pastor 

Editorial Position Regarding Restoration of a Pastor Who Commits Adultery or Criminal Activity 

"How have the mighty fallen!" - 2 Samuel 1:19

The InterChurch News editorial position is biblically conservative regarding the practice of restoring a repentant pastor to the pulpit who committed adultery or criminal activity while serving as a pastor. We believe a pastor (bishop, overseer) "must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable ... gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money ... one who manages his own household well" (1 Tim. 3:2 -5), "he must have a good reputation with those outside the church" (1 Tim. 3:7), and be "self-controlled" (2 Tim. 1:6-7).

Therefore, based on these Scriptures, we believe a pastor who has committed adultery or criminal activity -- either while serving as a pastor or in their walk of faith prior to serving as a pastor -- is disqualified to hold the office of pastor.

There is no New Testament evidence -- either in Scripture or in outside historical references -- of the Lord Jesus Christ, an apostle, bishop or overseer in the New Testament committing a sexual sin or being arrested for criminal activity (outside of preaching the gospel). King David, often used as an example for restoration, was a king, not a priest. Although referred to as a prophet, David was not called to the office of a prophet in the sense of a Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah or Hosea.

InterChurch News maintains the Bible teaches that faith in Jesus Christ means repentance -- and by God's grace and mercy a believer works out his or her salvation abstaining from all appearances of evil. Therefore, a pastor who truly repents of the sin of adultery or has been released from jail or prison for criminal offense (does not include arrest for non-violent protest, free speech, etc.) may become an integral member of a congregation in serving Christ, but not as a "pastor."

InterChurch News believes to do so -- to continue to work under the title of pastor -- is unscriptural, taints the integrity of the office, causes believers to stumble and the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme God (1 Samuel 12:14). 

"Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today for costly grace." - "The Cost of Discipleship," Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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InterChurch News -- local & international readership

Established 2013 in southwestern Riverside County, the InterChurch News site unique visitors include readers locally and from many nations including Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaidjan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbardos, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyrus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Former Czechoslovakia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lativia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macendonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Samoa Islands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands and Zimbabwe.