The Life of Joy
I've been reading a lot of the christian blogs. There are some very interesting ideas about, what is your "Ideal Church". The point that I think is the most important is, "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty". If anyone has had a home fellowship they can relate to this liberty.
Taking the church out of a traditional setting, the people act in a more natural and joyous manner. Not having to be, or appear to be, anything other than themselves. This opens up a lot of discussion, and interaction. The members are free to question and to give opinion on whatever subject comes up.
This allows each person to be a fellow-minister, as each relates his experiences and wisdom. There, of coarse, is an elder or deacon or some one as the leader, who is responsible to correct error in a gentle spirit. As a hole this is great for growth to the body, as an opprotunity to pray one for another. We are told to bear each others burdens. It also is the heart of the gospel, to love one another.
If we have never talked to another, or hear there views. If we can't listen to the trails of there life, how then do we love them or pray for them effectively. Fellowship with the Father, is what Jesus died and resurrected to bring to man. As He said, if we have not love for the brothern that we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see?
What then would my "Ideal Church" be, a body of believer who know and care and help each other. Who are aquainted with the problems and trails, and also who share in the Victory's. For the love of God working through a group of loving believer will result in the power of God to be sent forth to insure Victory in the lives of those who are doing His commands. So it is a house of prayer and worship, and a source of Great Joy to all the people.
This does not imply that a church has to be small. On the contrary, if it works in a small pilot program, then size is not the issue, but content. To make groups that can interact without being subjected to rejection, suspicion, or ridicudle. Regardless of the stage of growth, whether an infant in the Lord, or not even yet converted.
We need a less formal setting, a place where the body is comfortable to participate. Where we hold the moving of God amoung the body to be worth more than a hour of lecture. This is not a classroom, but a living, breathing, moving and growing body. Paul has given many directives to this in his letters. Let's follow the Bible.
Taking the church out of a traditional setting, the people act in a more natural and joyous manner. Not having to be, or appear to be, anything other than themselves. This opens up a lot of discussion, and interaction. The members are free to question and to give opinion on whatever subject comes up.
This allows each person to be a fellow-minister, as each relates his experiences and wisdom. There, of coarse, is an elder or deacon or some one as the leader, who is responsible to correct error in a gentle spirit. As a hole this is great for growth to the body, as an opprotunity to pray one for another. We are told to bear each others burdens. It also is the heart of the gospel, to love one another.
If we have never talked to another, or hear there views. If we can't listen to the trails of there life, how then do we love them or pray for them effectively. Fellowship with the Father, is what Jesus died and resurrected to bring to man. As He said, if we have not love for the brothern that we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see?
What then would my "Ideal Church" be, a body of believer who know and care and help each other. Who are aquainted with the problems and trails, and also who share in the Victory's. For the love of God working through a group of loving believer will result in the power of God to be sent forth to insure Victory in the lives of those who are doing His commands. So it is a house of prayer and worship, and a source of Great Joy to all the people.
This does not imply that a church has to be small. On the contrary, if it works in a small pilot program, then size is not the issue, but content. To make groups that can interact without being subjected to rejection, suspicion, or ridicudle. Regardless of the stage of growth, whether an infant in the Lord, or not even yet converted.
We need a less formal setting, a place where the body is comfortable to participate. Where we hold the moving of God amoung the body to be worth more than a hour of lecture. This is not a classroom, but a living, breathing, moving and growing body. Paul has given many directives to this in his letters. Let's follow the Bible.
posted by pete porter | 9:44 PM
1 Comments:
Hey Pete, I've been following the ideal church conversation and linked here to get your comment. You are right, this is the shift. Really, all of what you talked about is "the way it was". Right on! I plug around here in blog world and sometimes I feel lonely. It's refreshing to know someone understands.
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