What’s trendy is seldom eternal …
And what’s eternal is seldom trendy.
Category: Simple Church
When “church” and “worship” are about stirring up carnal feelings, God’s not there.
And that thing you feel?
It’s not God, because it’s more about you …
Than Him.
It may be intense, but trust me …
It ain’t Him.
Why is it that those who consistently fail at establishing any real vocation, fail at being part of a functional local church, and fail overall at life in general …
Seem most inclined these days to promote themselves as “apostles,” apostolic “workers” or some such nonsense …
Where they only succeed at reproducing their failures in others?
When your ministry becomes your source of validation …
It truly is “your” ministry.
What we mean by “worship” today seems to have become a distraction …
From what God means by “worship” in the New Testament.
In the original language of the New Testament, the Greek words translated “worship” mean a lifestyle of Godly sacrificial obedience and reverence …
Not music or musical performances designed to press our feel-good buttons.
In fact, there’s not a single use of those Greek words in the New Testament, or in the context of the common vernacular of the day when the New Testament was written, which even hint at such a thing.
Nope, not, nada …
Just ain’t there.
I’m all for singing God’s praises together, but let’s leave behind the self-absorbed counterfeit “worship” that’s so common today …
And begin to actually worship God by living holy lives of obedience and reverence, as He defines it.
This Sunday when you go to church, look around and make an effort to see those who have no family or are going through hard times …
Then ask if they’d like to share Thanksgiving with you and your family at your home later this month.
If space allows, also invite others in your neighborhood and community who are isolated, struggling or maybe even homeless.
This is love.
This is being the church.
You will form friendships that will last a lifetime.
Marianne and I do this each Thanksgiving – as well as throughout the year – and it has enriched our lives beyond measure.
The key to effective ministry …
Is becoming less and less indispensable.
A pastor introduced himself to me at a local ministerial association meeting and asked about “my” church.
As I considered how best to answer, it struck me for the first time that we didn’t have a name. I mean, the idea had just never even occured to us.
When I told him that, he seemed intrigued.
So I went on to shared how we were a simple, participatory gathering of believers who were the church, rather than folks who went to a church, and we never even considered the need for a “name.”
He thought about that and asked a few questions.
I responded by explaining that we don’t follow the post-New Testament model of a sole-proprietor “pastor” who preaches and runs the “service” every Sunday.
Rather, my role is to be an elder who – with others – unassumingly insures a safe environment where everyone can gather and feel free to minister one to another, each according to their own gifts as prompted by the Holy Spirit …
You know, just like the New Testament says.
He quietly considered what I said, then responded that he guessed that was OK – after all, “God once spoke through a jackass.”
Seriously, he said that.
Sigh …
I’ll take relational simple church over staged scripted church any day of the week.
Is church supposed to be a staged event …
Or a functional community that ministers to one another?
Without hospitality …
There is no ekklesia.
I’d rather gather together as a functional community of believers who express Christ’s presence already in each of us – one to another …
Than go elsewhere for a scripted performance which tries to “usher” us into His presence – stage to pew.
The more I learn to “be the church,” the less I want “the show.”
What we call “church” these days is so far removed from the New Testament …
That we dare not let those who see that truth …
Also speak that truth …
Without “correcting” it with a “but,” “and” or “or” …
Rooted in presumptions, anxieties and rationalizations from our own man-made traditions.
Making everything about my thing, even when it’s a God thing …
Denies His Lordship over all things.
If insanity is doing the same things over and over, and expecting different results …
How can anyone defend “church” as we’ve come to know it?
Often, it’s primarily about a carefully produced weekly “service” designed to advance the “institution’s” own interests by feeding the need for affirmation through a contrived “sermon” that mimics secular motivational speakers …
And staged “worship” that mimics worldly entertainment.
The result has been self absorbed “Christians” who think Jesus is all about reinforcng their own insecurities and comfort zones.
In the meantime, the “church” distorts the “Gospel” to grow its attendance – and its finances – by inviting people to make a hollow “decision” for Jesus …
Without repentance or transformation.
Jesus, however, commands us to go and make disciples of all nations by teaching them to obey all He has commanded …
Not appease the masses by catering to a culture which craves carnal affirmation and emotional intensity – then calling it “God.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
Let us return to the Lord, and His ways, once again.
Many claim to have a “high view” and believe in the “authority” of Scripture, but be careful.
Often, they are playing verbal games rooted in the existential philosophy of “theologians” like Karl Barth.
He taught that Scripture is “authoritative” only as a helpful – but flawed – jumping point to personal experiences and “revelation” which, he claimed, are God’s actual “Word” and more authentic than Scripture itself.
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God’s norms apply to all cultures …
But often are uniquely expressed in each.
While holding to those norms, I’ve learned to not interpret another’s situation and culture through the lens of my own situation and culture.
Doing so thwarts mutual esteem and understanding.
That’s true even when done with the best of intentions.
In contrast, the Great Commission requires us to go beyond our own reality and enter into very different realities …
Where people are very different than us.
They may be across the globe, or just down the street.
Few do it.
Nonetheless, Jesus bids us “go” with a fierce love that takes us outside our own limited perspectives.
Only then can we truly embrace “others” as brothers in Him.
Many “go to church” for a directed Sunday “service” performed by the “anointed” few in an odd building where they:
- Sit in regimented rows;
- Listen to a monologue “sermon” by the “Lead Pastor;” and
- Are entertained by a staged “worship” band.
Some, however, “are the church” as they unassumingly gather in homes and other hospitable places where life naturally happens to participate together through:
- Shared teachings with open dialogue and discussion;
- Singing God’s praises together from among and within the congregation as they encourage each other; and
- Each and every one actively ministering “one to another” out of the different gifts God distributes among them – including diverse elders – as a functional community.
Which “church,” do you think, looks more like what the New Testament actually commands?
Is it any surprise when men refuse to give up their God-given masculinity …
For the borderline Jesus eroticism which masquerades as “worship” in many “churches” these days?
There is no basis for authentic unity apart from our identity in Christ …
But that identity has no validity apart from the plenary authority and discipline of Scripture as His written Word.
Unfortunately, that seems to be a hard and offensive “word” for many today …
Who presume the right to define Christ – and thus us – in their own terms.
They create anarchy – as everyone does what’s right in their own eyes – leading to tyranny …
Rather than healthy community and Godly liberty.
Plumbline Faith 