Frequently Asked Questions (page 3)
(cont'd
from page 2)
placed on the altar, reconciling G-d with man. The Ark contains a Torah
scroll that is dressed like the High Priest with a beautiful covering and
a breastplate representing the twelve tribes of Israel. It is our custom
at Beth Yeshua to stand when the ark is opened and the Torah taken out,
to demonstrate that we are attentive and willing to submit to what G-d commands.
What is that box at the back of the meeting room?
The beautiful wood box at the back of Beth Yeshua is called a Tzedekah Box. Over time, the Hebrew word "Tzedek" came to mean charity or money donated to charity. This box is there to collect the money that those attending wish to give to further the ministry of Beth Yeshua. This box allows for everyone to give in privacy as the Lord leads them to give. The money from this box is counted, recorded, and deposited into a local bank. Tax deductible receipts are available upon request. The money collected goes to paying the ongoing expenses of maintaining Beth Yeshua which includes helping those in need.
What is that display board with all the names and dates?
The board at the back of the meeting room is called a Yartzeit Board. The word "yartzeit" means "time of remembrance." On this board, are the names of parents, grandparents, or children who have passed away along with the date of their passing. The yartzeit board allows us to honor those who have blessed our lives and to thank G-d for their presence in our lives. It is traditional to stand in honor of a deceased relative on the Sabbath closest to the anniversary of their passing. For those standing in honor of a relative, we recite a traditional blessing known as the Mourner's Kaddish. This blessing focuses us on G-d's greatness and goodness in giving us family. Anyone can have a relative's name placed on the board by a simple request to the elders.
Who is the "Pastor" of Beth Yeshua?
The pattern of leadership we see in the Apostolic Scripture is a plurality of leadership. Within the plurality of leadership there are two levels of leadership. The spiritual oversight of the congregation comes from the elders or overseers within the congregation. The second level of leadership is that of deacon/deaconess. The deacons are responsible for oversight in areas such as finances, buildings, festivals, and other necessary areas that make a congregation run smoothly. At Beth Yeshua we have a board that oversees the Business of the Congregation. The board meets monthly and then conducts annual meetings of the congregation to inform and gather information. The members of the board are Dale Jacobs (Elder), John Whaley and Kathy Hetrick (deaconess). You will often hear the elders referred to as Ro'im (Hebrew for Shepherds) and the deacons as Shammishim (Hebrew for Helpers). Regular attendees of the congregation are encouraged to talk with either an elder or deacon if they have something that needs to be addressed by the board.
Are the Jews attending Beth Yeshua more important than non-Jews?
NO! May it never be! We hope that we never give the impression that one person is more important than another. All who have expressed faith in Yeshua have been grafted into the natural branches and call Abraham their father (see Romans 11:11-24). While the physical distinction of Israel remains (there are Jews and non-Jews in the body of Messiah) as far as salvation or service is concerned there is neither Jew nor Greek (see Galatians 3:28). We at Beth Yeshua do not espouse to the Two-House theory that assumes all who have expressed faith are members of ethnic Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) saw the eventual ingathering of Gentiles into the community of faith without the necessity of "becoming Jewish." Isaiah 56 is a primary text that clearly expects Gentiles to attach themselves to Israel so that the Temple will be a house of prayer "for all nations." One is not closer to G-d or more important to G-d based on ethnic status.
Is Beth Yeshua associated with any larger denomination of Churches or Synagogues?
Beth Yeshua does not maintain
a membership in any local or national denomination. We do have associations
with other Messianic congregations and fellowship with them as part of the
greater body of Messiah. Beth Yeshua believes the local congregation should
maintain autonomy and not be governed by outside controls. We are not opposed
to affiliations and associations with fellow believers provided these alliances
are Biblically-based and do not impose undue constraints on our independence.
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