Church Life #5
This series is about our life with the church as we attempt to live together as brothers and sisters. (For a more detailed description of this series, see my post “Church Life – A New Series.”)
Monday: I had lunch on Monday with Adam, Danny, and Jonathan. Jonathan had written a paper for one of his classes, and he wanted our input. Concerning his paper, we primarily offered advice about presentation and structure. But, his content led to a great conversation about who we are as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Wednesday: Dave Black invited me to lecture on the topic of the church gathering in Corinth. I knew a few of the students, and I was able to meet more of them before, during, and after class. I appreciated both their questions and their encouragement. It is awesome to see people comparing the modern church to the church in Scripture!
Thursday:I had lunch Thursday with someone that I met through my blog. We’ve had lunch a few times, and he’s always been an encouragement to me. When we first had lunch together, he had a desire to live in community with his brothers and sisters. It is exciting to hear what God is doing in his life!
I haven’t said anything in this series about my Latin class. I teach a Latin class on Thursday afternoon to several homeschool students (primarily high school aged). I really enjoy interacting with the boys and girls in my class.
Friday: Our friends (the Barbours) had planned another Game Night for Friday night. We took Jeremy and Miranda and hung out for about an hour or so. But, Margaret and I didn’t stay at Game Night this time. Instead, we went out to dinner (to a great Thai restaurant) with some friends. We had a great dinner and even better conversation. These times of fellowship are so important!
After we returned to the Barbour’s house, we hung out with the teenagers for another hour or so before returning home.
Saturday: Margaret and Miranda helped the Franklin County Humane Society with their bi-weekly adopt-a-thon Saturday afternoon. Not only does volunteering with the humane society give us the opportunity to take care of homeless dogs, we also get to interact with some of the other people who volunteer. I could probably fill several posts with those stories!
Sunday: We gathered with the church again on Sunday morning. We had seen many of the people throughout the week. There is still some excitement running through our little group concerning the Black’s presentation last week. They invited us to help them serve the people of Ethiopia, and we are praying individually and as a church to determine how God wants us to help.
After singing, Mark taught from Matthew 22:23-33 – the passage where the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with a question about the resurrection. The resurrection is so important to who we are as the church. His teaching led to a great discussion about the resurrection and also about being led by God.
I shared with the church that I had been struggling over the last few days. There was not one big issue that I could point to, but I simply shared that I was more easily frustrated and less patient and loving. I didn’t like, and I asked the church to pray for me. The church was very encouraging!
That night, we helped some friends who are out of town for the week. They have goats, and they needed someone to milk their goats. Our family and another family is going to take turns milking their goats for them, so we met together to make sure we all knew what we were doing.
After milking the goats, and before we all headed back to our homes, one of my friends stopped me and prayed for me again. What a great family!
Alan-
Love the focus on being given to hospitality…I went a “church” once where the “pastor” would visit with the memebers of the congregation during the Christmas holiday, we could stop by his home during a specific hour of time based on our last names!
I suppose that we could also have bowed down and kissed his hand or ring! Grin. I always skipped that function. I do not think that is what the scripture has in mind regarding being given to hospitality!
Thank you for being a faithful example as God enables.
This is very encouraging, now when did you go to school and work? LOL. What do you recommend for people with young children. This makes it hard for my wife and I though we do try do as much as possible. We aren’t as mobile as the kids go to sleep early (8:30 or so) and I don’t get home until after 6. Not to mention on the weekends it is just as hard.
P.S, on milking goats I remember watching something and the guy milked the wrong goat and got kicked through the barn. That was hilarious! Please don’t make that mistake.
Hutch,
Hospitality is vitally important to the health of the church. I’ve learned that in the last few years. And, no, I wouldn’t call what you describe hospitality.
Lionel,
Every family has to work these issues out for themselves. One family that I know hosts people in their home after their two children go to bed.
Also, my wife and children probably interact with others from the church more than I do. If I included everything that they did with brothers and sisters in Christ while I was at work, the posts would be way too long.
-Alan
Alan-
Folks like you and those within your local assembly who are pioneering a path back to Christian community will need to encourage and be patient with those of us whose ecclesiology is now doctrinally and theoretically in place as we deal with the culture shock of learning how to live that way.
Our culture and typical traditional “church” experience has not taught or modeled for us how to do it…but I’m hopeful.
Hutch,
I’ve been through the paradigm change… living in community requires a complete thought change and world view change. So, I have nothing but patience for anyone attempting this type of life. In fact, I’m still learning myself.
-Alan