Eagerly pursue their company in your home
Stan at “Rocky Meadow” has written a very good article called “The Hospitality Commands Part 1” – which, I guess, indicates that there will be other parts. So, be on the look out for those posts too!
In this post, Stan talks about Romans 12:10-13, especially the instruction to practice hospitality. I love posts about hospitality, because I think it’s one of the things missing in the life of the modern church. (Perhaps it’s been missing for some time, but I only know about the years that I’ve been around…)
At one point, Stan writes this:
For now, let’s concentrate on the hospitality aspect of this description. If I were commenting solely on the English translation the word “practice” would catch my attention. Practice carries with it the idea of doing something repetitively until we get it right. That, in and of itself, would be a very good thing where hospitality among the followers of Christ is concerned.
The Greek behind the English translation conveys a slightly different idea. Practicing means “strive for” or “pursue”. Strive for sharing your hospitality with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Eagerly pursue their company in your home. Seek to share life together in Christ with them.
Think about what Stan said: “Strive for sharing your hospitality with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Eagerly pursue their company in your home. Seek to share life together in Christ with them.” I think that’s a great explanation of the instruction to practice hospitality.
But… there is a little problem. Today, the home is not generally considered a place of socialization. It’s often a place of seclusion.
So, how do we “practice hospitality” if people will not accept an invitation to our home? How do we “eagerly pursue their company in your home” when that’s out of the question for them? Is it possible to begin by “sharing life together in Christ with them” in another location? (By the way, this is the idea of a “third place.”)
Have you found certain places (besides the home) where people are more comfortable building the kind of relationships in Christ that Stan talks about here?
(As a funny / ironic side note… if you search for “hospitality” on Google images, you get almost all pics of restaurants and hotels. That tells us a little about what our culture thinks when they hear the term “hospitality.”)
But they’re not trained teachers and preachers!
Again, I want to point you to two very good posts on a similar topic. What topic? Teaching among the church.
This is huge for the church. In fact, in seminary, many classes focused on helping people (the people in the classes, that is) teach others. And, primarily, the focus was on monologue (i.e., one-way) type teaching/preaching.
But, many studies have shown that one-way teaching is not the best way to communicate, and it’s certainly not the best way to disciple. Plus, we mostly see dialogical (i.e., two-way) type teaching in the New Testament.
First, Kathleen at “Church in a Circle” continues an on-going series about “Tomorrow’s Church” in a post called “Part 6: From spoon-feeding to hands-on learning.” This is a great article about the difference between one-way and two-way teaching.
Churches today come in all shapes and sizes, with differing styles and a wide range of music genres, but one thing is consistent across most of them – the central “teaching” session consists of one person standing at the front and talking at a passive audience. Like a caring mother preparing her child’s food (in my case, it often consisted of grabbing a packet of baby food from the pantry – shhhh), the pastor has spent the week preparing the “meal” for the congregation, “digesting” the Scriptures, and organising the message into an attractively presented platter of palatable thoughts and ideas, ready to “spoon-feed” the listeners. The content is often superb, the message is often clearly articulated – but God’s people are not given an option to get their hands messy, to be involved in the learning process, to feed themselves.
Similarly, Miguel from “God Directed Deviations” tackles this subject in his post “Someone told me I should teach Homiletics. This is why I recoiled…”
Personally, in my teaching or preaching, I want to listen to people. I want to be able, through the Spirit’s leading to not only answer their questions, but answer the person behind the question with a person, the person of Jesus. For me to teach someone homiletics would be a conflict of interests.
I think it would change the church if we moved from one-way teaching (monologue) to dialog. Yes, there are benefits to monologue teaching, but I do not think the benefits actually align with the purpose of teaching as we read about in the New Testament.
Have you been involved in dialogue type teaching before?
Two different types of leaders among the church?
Jon at “Jon’s Journey” has written a very helpful post called “Leading the Way.” The post is a summary of all of his posts on leadership among the church. The posts cover many different aspects of that topic, and he puts them all together in a great way.
A few years ago, when I had only been blogging a couple of years, I recognized that my posts on leadership were often the most read and commented posts on my blog, even though I wrote about leadership much less than other topics. I think there are several reasons for that, but I won’t get into it here. I thought about that when I read this statement at the end of Jon’s post: “So as you can see I’ve invested some thought into this topic lately. But I don’t want this to be the main focus of my journey moving forward.”
But, I’d like for us to think about something that Jon says at the beginning of his post:
I see two different types of leaders in the church.
- Those who make decisions for others to follow
- Those who live their lives as examples that others follow
I know in many cases some people do a bit of both.
After you take the time to read through Jon’s post, and some of his linked posts, think about this:
Jon is right… there are two types of “leading” among the church. And, interestingly, both types of “leading” often get followed and followers.
Consider this question: What type of “leading” are you following? (And, if you think you’re not following anyone but Jesus – i.e., not learning from another’s example – then I think you’re probably fooling yourself.)
Is house church the answer?
Well, Keith at “subversive1” has answered this question (the title of the post) in his post “House Church is Not the Answer.” So, I guess that makes for a short blog post here.
But, of course, I can’t leave it like that, can I? That would be too easy.
Obviously, in the New Testament, we read about believers meeting in houses in several cities, both in the book of Acts and in some of Paul’s letters. I’ve read several books (and I’ve written several blog posts) that discuss some of the benefits of gathering in homes. I’ve often gathered in homes with various brothers and sisters in Christ, and I’ve found it to be extremely helpful.
But, like Keith said, gathering in homes is not the answer. Here is part of his post:
But gathering in a home won’t cut it. Meeting in a circle and singing songs won’t accomplish anything. Having a great meeting about Jesus is not the same thing as having an actual meeting with Jesus.
House church is not the answer. Jesus is. And learning to gather beneath the shadow of His wings, and learning to hear His voice together, and actually encountering the Risen One in the fellowship of other submitted and surrendered believers is what every follower of Christ is made for.
Please read the rest of Keith’s post, and if you’re interested in my thoughts on this issue, you may want to read my post “Why I’m not a house church proponent.”
I have a few related questions for my readers: 1) Have you ever gathered with other believers in a home? 2) What benefits did you experience while gathering in a home? 3) What struggles / detriments / hindrances did you experience while gathering in a home?
When we pretend that everyone is normal and fine
Swanny at “Allergic to BS” has written a great post called “The ‘F’ Word.” No, he’s not talking about THAT “F” word; he’s talking about the word “farce.”
What kind of “farce”? The farce of sitting together with a bunch of strangers (or relative strangers) for 1-2 hours each week and pretending that everything is fine.
In other words, he’s talking about not being real with one another… not sharing who we really are and what’s really going on in our lives.
At one point, Swanny writes:
Sometimes I would wonder, as I look down the row I was sitting in, who here has real problems. Out of the 10 people including me, we all just sit in passive brokenness. Somewhere among the 10, there is at least one person struggling with an abusive spouse, a child that has been molested, porn, schizophrenia, or having a hard time feeding their family. And of course, and including me, plenty who feel irreparably guilty either for something they have done or something done to them. You can hear the silent screams as the show goes on.
I’m so glad that God has placed people around me who share what’s going on in their lives. And I’m so grateful to be in a group of people who have allowed one another to share those struggles when we gather together.
(Make sure you read the rest of Swanny’s post… it’s very good.)
Pulling up a chair at the table of the Lord
There have been some really good blog posts lately about “the table of the Lord.” I want to highlight a few of them.
Kathleen at “Church in a Circle” writes about the table in her post “Tomorrow’s church – Part 5: Food and fellowship.” At one point, she writes, “The act of sharing food draws us together. It relaxes us, and creates an intimate space to talk and interact. It ‘greases the wheels’ of conversation and fellowship.” Then she connects this conversation and fellowship to the meal that we call “the Lord’s Supper.”
Jamie at “The Cost of Community” also writes about the table in his post “At The Table of Belonging.” He says, “The start of our time together is our shared meal- a potluck dinner where everyone (who is able) brings something to add to the table where we all partake. For me, this shared table is the center piece of our worship together.” I think he describes a great way of meeting together around the table.
Finally, David at “Reclaiming the Mission” writes about extending the table in his post “The Table in the Neighborhood.” He begins with this thought-provoking statement: “One important pathway to mission in the neighborhood is ‘the meal.’ This is what I have been learning these past many years.” The remainder of this post is how meals have allowed him to connect with his neighbors.
I’d encourage you to read each of these posts, and join in the discussion at each site.
Then, I wonder, how have you seen God use meals (and especially meals among believers – i.e., the table of the Lord)?
Happy Reformation Day?
So, while alot of my friends are enjoying Halloween today, others are celebrating “Reformation Day.” Two bloggers in particular have written about the historical and present significance of “Reformation Day.”
Arthur at “The Voice of One Crying Out in Suburbia” wrote a post called “Happy ‘What Could Have Been’ Day.” While he recognizes some of the positive changes that happened among believers during the “Reformation,” he also recognizes that the changes stopped short of what it could have been.
He writes:
Now I look back with regret at this time, regret over what might have been. In those days when the shackles of Rome were first cast off there was a very real chance to reform the church in practice as well as in doctrine. Instead institutional inertia won the day. The doctrine got better (at least some of it) but the practice stayed the same.
I think that’s a great way to look at any period of history, including church history. We can learn from both their victories and their failures. (Of course, during that same time period, some believers did “reform the church in practice as well as in doctrine”…)
Meanwhile, Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” writes about the historical Reformation Day and how it corresponds to a personal “Reformation Day” of his own in a post called “Keep Reforming.” After explaining his own personal reformation, Eric ends his post with this:
The Christian life should be one of consistent reformation. As we walk daily with Christ, we have the privileges of getting to know Him better, becoming more like Him, and helping others do the same. This was Paul’s goal. In this sense, reformation never ends.
Again, I think this is a great way to think about this day. Let’s keep reforming – personally and corporately – as we walk daily in Christ together.
A living example of knowing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
Yesterday, in my post “To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,” I ended with some simple questions. Primarily, I said that Paul prays that the Ephesians have the power to know something that cannot be known, i.e., the love of Christ.
Our discussion about that passage and statement led me to think about BeckyLynn Black, the wife of Dave Black. She has been fighting cancer for a couple of years now. And, last week, she needed emergency surgery for a perforation in the lower part of her stomach.
During the last two years, the Blacks have walked into aspects of life that they have never experienced before. And, do you know what they found there in the midst of pain and struggle and suffering? The love of Christ.
For example, consider this excerpt from his post yesterday, Monday, October 29, 2012 at 9:47 p.m.:
These are days of great blessing for Becky and me. We have been plunged into a deep mystery, facing momentous decisions, longing for intimacy with our Lord, riding (as Becky says) “on a raft of mercy and grace down a mighty river.” Because of His grace, we are staying on deck, surrendered in faith to His truth and character. He loves us whether in a state of health or illness, just as we are, not necessarily as we should be.
I just got home after some pretty heavy-duty ministry, a bit bedraggled and worn out, but shouting “Wow!” at what I have seen God do since I last updated you. Perhaps the gut issue is not Becky’s health as much as it is Am I experiencing God on a moment-by-moment basis? In times like these, theoretical Christianity collapses. Becky and I have been swept up into the embrace of God, into His inexhaustible, unfathomable love. His outstretched arms exclude no one, not even a tired old Greek prof or a woman undaunted by cancer and its consequences. So what of these circumstances! I am David Black, and I am my Daddy’s son. I am an eyewitness to the truth of the Gospel: God loves me! And Becky Lynn!…
So it’s been one of those crazy, wild, hectic, enjoyable, satisfying weekends. I remember so vividly when all of this craziness started, with Becky literally writhing in pain last Wednesday, but since then God has done some really great things. I honestly can’t say enough about the excellent care we’re receiving at UNC. I am now, more than ever, convinced that truly nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. No matter how hard things get, He has given us each other and especially His Spirit to help us make it through all the weariness and frustration and heartache.
Did you catch that? Because of everything they have gone through, they are convinced that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now, as a New Testament professor, I’m guessing that Dave Black has read, thought about, and taught that verse many, many times. He’s probably parsed it, translated it, and interpreted it for many different classrooms full of students.
But, now, he’s living it in an entirely different way – a way that he’s never experienced before. Do you know what he’s finding? The love of Christ… everywhere he goes and everything he goes though.
I think that’s a great living example of “knowing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.”
How do you use the Bible?
Growing up “in church,” I learned the proper use of the Bible. You use the Bible to find a passage the quickest during “Bible drills” so that you could get the prize. I was pretty fast, but not as fast as some people who shall remain nameless and always on my list.
But, now, two bloggers are suggesting that we’ve been using the Bible all wrong. (To be honest, these are not the only bloggers – or the only people – who have suggested this strange idea. But, these are the two that I’m highlighting today.)
Dan at “Some Church Stuff” writes about being “Biblical.” He tells us the special super-secret definition of what it means to be “biblical,” but don’t tell him that I told you about it.
Similarly, Randy at “Bible Study Geek” (I still love his tagline, “Nerd Groks Word”… perfect!) writes about something similar in his post “Frye: Story.” (He’s not cooking up narratives. Read his post and you’ll understand the title.) One good line: “So many pastors these days are drugstore clerks and the Bible is their pharmaceutical shelves.” I think you could change out “Christians” for “pastors” in that statement, and it would be just as true.
All this talking about “using the Bible” has left me wondering… How do you use the Bible? How has God used the Scriptures in your life?
Missions in the New Testament
My friend Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” has finished his series on missions in the New Testament. He began this series back in January with a post called “Missions in…” His summary page, with links to the other posts, is simply called “Missions.”
I think this is an excellent series. He wrote one post for each book/letter of the New Testament, covering various aspects of God’s mission (and our mission as God’s children) through that particular book/letter.
I love the way that Eric introduces his summary page:
God has a heartbeat for missions that we see throughout the pages of scripture. John 1:14 may sum it up best, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” May our hearts beat for the spread of the gospel as God’s does!
This is quite timely for me, since I am praying along with some friends that God would give us a passion and opportunities for proclaiming his good news.
When you think about God’s mission (or perhaps our mission as God’s children), what verse/passage comes to mind first?