I've been in many dead churches which represent the majority of churches, unfortunately. The pastor is emulating the catholic priesthood of old, but they don't have the Roman troops to knock heads together. So they are very frustrated with the position the denomination has put them in. The denomination sets them up to be the Ordained Priest of a flock of sheep. Keep them contented and good humored. (Contented cows give good milk.) That means there's no need to pray for things; their pastor will take care of them. And if they die of diseases, it must have been God's perfect, loving will for them. Who can disagree with that?
They are usually infiltrated with occultists and sinners to keep God from collectively blessing them. Nobody asks any uncomfortable questions; that would be "judging" and sowing discord. We can't financially do that.
I recall a church that had a revival start in one of the small groups. It surprised everyone, including the pastor who was a Freemason. He said he wanted to spread it through the church, so he assigned each of the people in this group, so many people of the congregation to care for. They were overworked and didn't have time to meet & pray anymore. The fire went out, just as he had planned. He told that to me on my last day at that church.
In the New Testament, the churches didn't have Pastors lording it over them. They were well on their way to winning the world. Wherever two or three of them, Jesus was among them and could lead them through the Holy Spirit.
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