Making everything about my thing, even when it’s a God thing …
Denies His Lordship over all things.
Category: Simple Church
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.
I have yet to see lives consistently transformed from despair to maturity in the Lord …
Or viable local churches emerge …
Among those promoting a dichotomy between Jesus as the Living Word and the plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word.
Some things just don’t make sense when you cut through the enticing, nice sounding rhetoric.
For example:
So-called “Christians” calling Jesus “Lord,” yet implicitly claiming the right to define Him and His precepts on their own terms …
By explicitly rejecting His plenary authority and discipline of Scripture as His written Word.
At the core, they know not Christ.
Rather, they serve a God of their own perceptions, created in the image of their own agendas and sensibilities.
They may be charming. They may be inspirational. They may even occasionally say good things.
But in the end, their way leads to destruction as they lead others over an existential cliff.
Where they hold sway, you will not find viable local churches (of any stripe), the power and authority of the Gospel, cohesive functional community, God’s Kingdom conquering darkness, or the Great Commission in action.
But hey, they love to make social media posts telling everyone “how to” on all the things they themselves actually “don’t do” because their self-centered ideologies simply don’t work.
That’s why, when you look closely, you inevitably find that they repeatedy fail to make their own ideals – which they incessantly peddle to others – work in their own lives and local communities …
When they even bothered to try.
It’s time for clear discernment.
It’s time for clear talk.
It’s time to move forward as we leave their hollow existential angst and fraud behind.
The times once again demand authentic disciples who embrace all of Christ and His Kingdom …
While boldly going forth into all spheres of life with the confidence and power of His Word.
May we once again affirm a vibrant relationship with the Living Word, in submission to the authority and discipline of His written Word.
Christ’s mission for us, and His love for a watching world, demand nothing less.
Christians who dismiss some as beyond the reach of God’s redeeming grace …
Stand outside His redeeming grace.
Isn’t it interesting that there’s more open sharing, participation and fellowship at a funeral service …
Than a typical “church” service?
We need accomplished people who’ve mastered a vocation that allows them to minister …
Rather than unaccomplished people who seek “ministry” as their first vocation.
Sigh.
Why are those most adamant about promoting the need for “apostles” today, as they define it …
(With the implication that they are one) …
The least likely to have any real sucess at actually being one, as the New Testament actually shows it?
I guess it beats having a real job, huh?
The two main criteria most Christians look for in a “church” today are:
Do they like the “Lead Pastor” and the “service” he puts on for them each week?
Interestingly, these are post-Biblical concepts not found in the New Testament.
In fact, both are contrary to what the New Testament actually teaches.
In the New Testament, there are no “lead pastors” but rather multiple elders (plural) with other diverse leaders …
Who equip US for works of ministry.
That’s why the New Testament also says that when we gather together, ministry is from one another to each other …
Rather than from the “one.”
It’s time to repent and be the Church once again.
Tragically, some throw off the limitations of pastoral monopoly …
Only to fall prey to the tyranny of modern day claims about “apostolic” hierarchy.
Maybe that’s why the New Testament instead prescribes the safety of multiple elders to watch over local churches …
And protect His people against both.
Simple, huh?
But when will we ever learn?
Don’t like what you see in the world around you?
When “church” becomes a homogenized hierarchy of spiritual triviality, what do you expect from the larger culture?
Let repentance begin with the household of God.
Any metaphor, if taken too literally, bumps up against absurdities.
Like some forms of Christian mysticism, which say the Church literally is the Bride of Christ …
While others say literally the Body of Christ.
I guess that’s gonna be some weird honeymoon, huh?
Sound doctrine in the abstract may be helpful …
But sound doctrine in action is transforming.
Jesus told us to build disciples …
And He would build the church.
Seems we got it backwards these days.
Just sayin’.
I’d rather gather together with a few in my living room and be the church, one with another …
Then sit in rowed seats with a thousand in some building called the “church” to watch a staged event.
“Church” as the New Testament shows it is simple:
– The only “hierarchy” is preferring everyone else above ourselves;
– All are “called” with diverse gifts, motivations and perspectives bestowed by God among His people;
– Among those diverse gifts are elders, who emerge within fellowships to watch, protect and serve through example, persuasion and earned respect – rather than hiring a “senior pastor” to become the focus and “head” of the church;
– “Ministry” is not by the one but through one another;
– Local believers assemble in homes – and other places where life, hospitality and community naturally happen – to participate together as Christ’s multi-part Body as they motivate one another towards love and good works;
– While also going forth as His disciples into all spheres of life to extend the blessings of His Kingdom to a waiting world.
However, you’ll never get there through the writings and influence of the existential “organic” church fringe – including the mutual promotion networks of authors like Frank Viola, Milt Rodriquez, Jon Zens, Ross Rohde, Keith Giles and their buddies – who:
– Promote various extraneous, counter-Biblical agendas like insular mysticism, “deeper life” revelation and post-modern ideologies in their books, workshops and offers of “itinerant” visits and oversight;
– Dismiss God’s plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word;
– Love to tell others “how to” on things they themselves “don’t do”;
– Express open contempt and impose a new legalism against anyone who serves the Lord by engaging our broader society in ways that transcend their own narrow political biases, limited experience, and unbiblical ideologies of civic retreat and anarchy;
– Try to impose their own detailed, cookie-cutter image of church life on others – rooted in their own backgrounds, failures and angst – rather than teach general New Testament precepts which allow Christ to express Himself uniquely within each different locale and community as He chooses; and
– Have consistently failed to start, sustain and be part of viable simple churches – like they peddle to others – in their own lives, home towns and elsewhere.
Honestly, viable gatherings as the church need not be impossible or a disappointing failure …
If you simply avoid phony and start instead with the only true apostolic foundation which was laid once and for all in the New Testament.
Christians who think proper church methodologies and structures will solve all their problems …
Are just as naïve as Christians who think that wrong church methodologies and structures don’t contribute to their problems.
Over the years, I have found that without the humility of repentance, there is no freedom …
And without the transparency of confession and forgiveness, there is no wholeness.
Unfortunately, many ignore these essential elements of discipleship …
And wonder why their simple participatory churches never advance beyond everyone’s accumulated quirks, hurts and insecurities.
In traditional spectator church, such unresolved issues are easy to ignore.
But with real church as commanded in the New Testament, we have no such luxury.
Ignore them and your attempts to be the church one with another will stay stuck in a rut …
No matter how well you started.
