I occasionally have people ask me to define some of my beliefs on what can be some controversial subjects.  I thought it might be helpful to give a broad overview of my thoughts on some concepts I tend to get asked about the most.  Some may find that they disagree with me on some points.  That is okay.  I may find at some point in the future that I have changed my thoughts in some areas, so this list is not intended to be “Pastor Jym’s final word” that must be accepted by all.  Here it goes…

1. I believe God still speaks.  I think he speaks primarily through his revealed word to us (the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments).  I believe that the Holy Spirit can, and does, help us discern truth from error, guides us in decision-making, and that we may, at times, “feel” strongly that a certain act, response, or word is from God.  I think we should check our impressions against the word of God.  “I feel it” is not synonymous with “God said it.”
2. I believe God still moves in miraculous ways in our world.  I think he still heals people.  I think he continues to speak to us in his two books, the book of creation and the book of his word (the Bible).  I believe he uses people in our lives to teach us, convict us, encourage us, and remind us to look to him (among other things).  I believe that men and women who claim to be able to heal like the apostles of Jesus, or speak with the same authority, are either misguided, deceptive, or both.  I believe it is okay and even necessary to ask people to verify their claims to miracles or directives from God, and that asking for verification does not mean we are quenching the Spirit or that we are not “Spirit-filled” (Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Thess. 5:20-21; 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1).
4. I believe that genuine Christians can be sincerely wrong.  I know that speaking or writing in the public square as a profession will always give ample opportunities for people to nitpick and parse out everything that is said, and in almost every instance, find some things to be questionable.  I do not think we should roast every Christian speaker or author.  However, I do believe that when one takes upon themselves the office of pastor/teacher, they must expect and accept more scrutiny, and they should never utilize their platform to squelch every question about their teaching by dismissing it as a “witch-hunt” (James 3:1).
5. Finally, I believe that I still have much to learn about God.  Your lead pastor (Jym Gregory, who is finite and created) does not have the final word concerning your God and Savior (who is infinite and the Creator of all things).  With that being said, we must be careful!  There is much false teaching out there being passed off as deep, theological, and groundbreaking, when in fact it is unbiblical and therefore, by definition, false.  This type of teaching is often geared toward allowing us to do and be whatever makes us happy or fulfilled, while leading people away from the God who has revealed himself to us in his word.  It also often brings a significant amount of money to the teacher.  Be careful of those who claim a specific word for you from God, make much of their visions and dreams, or tell you that God has things for you, or wants things for you, that you cannot find anywhere in the Scripture.  Use your best judgment and let a solid biblical worldview be your guide.

Want additional help?  I suggest going deeper in the Scripture so you can test teachings with more precision.  We continue to offer our Bible and Life study on Sunday mornings.   Our Fellows Ministry is a great opportunity to be challenged and go deeper in your faith.  Our Children’s, Youth, College, Koinonia, Senior Adult, Women’s and Men’s Ministries offer solid learning opportunities. For you ladies who are free during the day, Mary Ann Demott teaches an excellent, in-depth study on Thursday mornings here at the church.  Life Groups are a great place to both connect and grow in your faith.  Bible Study Fellowship is a great resource outside of LifePoint, and asking an older Christian to disciple you for a period of time is always worth the effort as well.  There are a plethora of good websites, YouTube content, and podcasts out there.  As always, be careful.  If you want some suggestions, ask a trusted friend or feel free to speak to any of your pastor/elders.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false teachers have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).  This word from the apostle John is sobering and necessary. Let’s all do our best to follow his directive.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym

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