Why is every church not like this?
Frank at “Reimagining Church” has posted a letter from someone who recently spent a week with an organic church. His post is called “Visiting an Organic Church: A Firsthand Report.” At one point, the “visitor” says:
These brothers and sisters really do share their lives together. They’re family. Rather than just seeing each other once a week, they’re intimately involved in one another’s lives throughout the whole week. There wasn’t a day that I didn’t fellowship with some of the brothers and sisters (even outside of the two brothers I was staying with). And one of the coolest things is that they already feel like family to me … like I’ve known them for years and years. I felt so welcome…the Lord’s hospitality there was powerful. Everyone’s lives were a great blessing and encouragement to me. While I was there, the Lord impressed upon me that I would become like a child again with these people and re-learn Him in a new way.
All church are (and should be, I think) different, because the people involved are different. So, there will be differences in the way that they meet together. However, some things should be consistent. Things like what the person describes above.
We should be sharing our lives together daily. We should be caring for one another and serving our community together. We should look like and act like a family.
If our church (the brothers and sisters that God has placed in our lives) do not look like this, then something is wrong… which means that something needs to change. That something must begin with you and me.
A Friend is Waiting
My friend Jason at “Second and Content” is planning to move to South Africa next spring. He hopes to stay there for a year working with orphans. Recently, he wrote a post called “Sitting, Waiting, Listening (Genesis 39-45 Redux).”
In the post, Jason talks about (very honestly and openly) how worried he’s been about everything working out for him to go to South Africa. He also talks about how the church has helped him with this issue. He says:
Hearing this conversation go on between Gary, Alan, and Rodney was like little Mark came out of nowhere and slapped me in the face and said, PAY ATTENTION! I was so consumed with thoughts I couldn’t bring myself to formulate coherent sentences for the discussion. I had had a discussion with Alan the week before because I was geting a little anxious waiting on God to do something and trying to discern to what degree do I work towards this goal without me messing it up. I’ll admit, I was pretty distraught, that happens to me occasionally, I get so worked up about something that thats the only thing I can think about, and I worry. Working through this Joseph discussion, I was once again refocused back on the goal: go to Africa. God showed me that, no matter whether I tried to make it happen, it would not happen if He didn’t make it happen. Just go on about life, don’t complain or question, just work towards the goal and it will work out the way that God has planned. I’ll keep preparing until God stops me. While at the same time, sitting, waiting patiently for the time to go, and listening for that word to stop or continue going.
Jason writes more, so you should read his post. But its great to see how God is using several of us to encourage Jason during this time of planning and waiting.
Do we put the pulpit by the fireplace?
Felicity Dale from “Simple Church: A House Church Perspective” has written a very important post called “What’s the difference between a church that meets in a house and a simple/organic/house church?”
While I’ve met a few “house church” (or simple/organic/whatever) enthusiasts who demand that the church must meet in a house, most don’t. (For those who do, what do you do with the hall of Tyrannus in Acts 19:9-10?) No, it’s not the place that matters.
So, what matters? How the church relates to one another when they meet together (for one thing).
As Felicity warns:
We suspect that many people in house church still do what they used to do in the buildings–and usually they do it badly. Someone has been asked to lead the worship, another person gives a talk, another is responsible for the kids. Unfortunately, the lone guitarist lacks the professional expertise of the worship band that led worship in the building and the person who gives the sermon hasn’t had hours to prepare a stimulating talk because he’s been working at a job all week. To be honest, we might be better off staying in the building!
Yep. If you’re just going to do the same ol’ thing, then why change location?
If, instead, you start with how the church should meet together (and I think Scripture is a good starting point for this) you might deciding that meeting in a different location would be better. (Or, you might not decide that.)
Like a Family Reunion?
Sol at “Looking for Church” has been thinking about church in his post “Update #6.” He writes:
I’ve been thinking about the church, and I’ve been trying to back it up in my mind where we only get together, period. No bible study, no time for prayer, no “worship†schedule. I picture Thanksgiving with the family. People talking over here, people laughing over there, people praying in the back. And then defining the assembly as that, just a family gathering. Can’t each one bring a teaching, a song, a prayer in this scenario? Everyone is there to edify one another.
When the church gathers together, does the meeting have to be scheduled (whether that schedule is published or by habit)? Does everyone have to do the same thing at the same time, listen to the same person/people at the same time, sing the same songs at the same time?
Or, can the church meet together as Sol describers?
What do you think?
(By the way, while you’re at Sol’s blog, don’t miss his latest post, “Despair.”)
Be Prepared
Yes, “Be Prepared” is the Boy Scout motto, or at least, it was the Boy Scout motto back when I was a scout.
But, Scripture also instructs believers to be prepared any time they meet with other believers. Prepared for what? Prepared to build up the other believers. Prepared to help them grow in maturity with Christ. Prepared to encourage them with the circumstances and situations of their life.
For the last several weeks, I’ve been sharing my “preparation” on Facebook. Hopefully, these short statements have helped others think about how they meet with the church. This is what I’ve shared so far:
I’m ready to meet with the church with a song and a pot of chili. What are you bringing to build up your family?
When we meet with the church this morning, I’m bringing a lesson from Genesis 34, and I’ve helped my son Jeremy to prepare a lesson from Genesis 33. What are you bringing to build up your family when you meet with the church?
Meeting with the church soon. I’m bringing a teaching from Genesis and sub sandwiches. What have you prepared to build up your family?
I’m bringing a song, a praise (answered prayer request), and a pot of chicken corn soup for the church today. What have you prepared to build up your brothers and sisters toward maturity in Christ?
Looking forward to my friend Jim teaching and leading our discussion on Genesis 39-41 this morning. I’m bringing some insights on that passage and meatball subs to share with the church. What are you sharing with your brothers and sisters to help them grow in maturity in Christ?
How do you prepare to meet with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
The Disconnect with Commentaries
Eric from “A Pilgrim’s Progress” shares an “Interesting Commentary on I Corinthians 14:26-33.” Eric is referring to William Barclay’s commentary on 1 Corinthians which was published in 1975. Eric includes this quote from Barclay:
There was obviously a flexibility about the order of service in the early Church. Everything was informal enough to allow any man who felt that he had a message to give to give it. It may well be that we set far too much store on dignity and order nowadays, and have become the slaves of orders of service. The really notable thing about an early Church service must have been that almost everyone came feeling that he had both the privilege and the obligation of contributing something to it. A man did not come with the sole intention of being a passive listener; he came not only to receive but to give. Obviously this had its dangers, for it is clear that in Corinth there were those who were too fond of the sound of their own voices; but nonetheless the Church must have been in those days much more the real possession of the ordinary Christian. It may well be that the Church lost something when she delegated so much to the professional ministry and left so little to the ordinary Church member. (page 134)
Eric adds some great remarks to this quote in his post. But I wanted to mention something else.
A few years ago, I wrote an exegesis paper on 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 for a seminary class. While doing research for that paper, I came across several commentaries with similar conclusions. In other words, when studying Scriptures, Barclay’s comments above seem obvious (well, perhaps not to everyone, but to most commentaries that I’ve read).
But, there’s a disconnect when it comes to practice. Very few churches actually meet the way that Barclay (and many others) conclude that the early church met.
Why do you think that disconnect exists?
Once you get ’em started
A few weeks ago, one of my fellow elders said that we need to try to get the young people (children and teenagers) more involved in our church meetings. As I wrote in a previous post (see “Equipping“), I helped my son, Jeremy, get more involved by teaching one Sunday morning.
But, we also wanted the young people to understand that they could (and should) take part in the discussion and encouragement that takes place on Sundays (and anytime they are meeting with other believers). We wanted them to recognize that as children of God who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, it is their responsibility (as much as it is the adults’ responsibility) to build up their brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, whenever one of the children or teenagers have added something to our discussion or has requested prayer or has spoken up in other ways during our church meetings, we (individually and corporately) have attempted to notice and affirm their participation.
Last Sunday, several families were traveling, so we met with a smaller than usual group. However, there were several children and teenagers (7 between the ages of 11 and (just turned) 18). For some reason, they began to take part in our discussion of Genesis. Several of them offered some very good insights, especially as we discussed Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph. (By the way, when I was talking with them later, one of the young ladies told me that she was more comfortable because there were not as many people present.)
(Irony of ironies was that the elder who encouraged us to help the young people get involved was not meeting with us Sunday.)
Later, I was talking with a brother about Sunday and the young people getting involved in the teaching and discussion. He was very excited about it too. He asked, “What do we do if one of them starts speaking too much, or starts saying things that are not true?”
He was asking honestly. But, his question is the one that is normally raised when you begin to talk about participatory meetings. What do you do when someone speaks “out of turn” (however you want to define that). The way I see it, there are two extremes that you want to stay away from.
Extreme #1: Allow anyone to say anything that they want without any consequences at all.
Extreme #2: Don’t allow anyone to speak unless you know up front what that person is going to say and how they are going to say it.
Like I said, I think the church needs to stay away from both extremes. Instead, I think we need to allow people to speak. But, if someone becomes abusive or heretical (contrary to the gospel), then we need to counsel that person – privately at first, but if it continues, it may have to be public. (I’ve never had to move beyond the “private” admonishment.)
So, what do you think about young people (children and teenagers) speaking and teaching when the church meets? What would you do if one of them (or an adult, for that matter) speaks too much or says things that are either untrue or unhelpful?
Monday-Saturday Church
Everybody knows about church on Sunday. But what about Monday-Saturday?
Josh at “Called to Rebuild” has written an excellent article called “Church Life: More than a Meeting.” Josh says:
A person may go to a meeting once a week, and it might be the best meeting this world has ever seen-full of life, love, and warm-hearted fellowship. But if that meeting alone represents the full extent of their participation in the local Body of Christ than they are still missing out on the majority of real church life. I’ve experienced the difference myself, and there really is no comparison. The writer to the Hebrews didn’t instruct the believers there to exhort one another “daily†for no reason, you know. Daily fellowship is not just a privilege but a necessity if we ever hope to go on unto the fullness of Christ.
Yep. Just last night I was talking with some new friends. I told them that if they wanted to understand who were are as a church, they would need to hang out with us during the week. For example, tonight we plan to help some friends pack their truck as they prepare to move to Georgia. Church life!
This reminds me of something I read a few years ago (perhaps from Jonathan?): If there is no life outside the meeting, there will be no life in the meeting. (Or something like that.)
Three Church Meetings in One Day
We met with the church three times yesterday. Yeah, I know that some churches have three or more “services” in the same day, but that’s not exactly what I’m talking about.
First, we met the church at our normal meeting place and our normal meeting time. This week, we sang some songs a capella that the brothers and sisters wanted to sing. Between songs, we prayed for various requests. Then, Geth led us in a study of Genesis 32. After we discussed that passage and encouraged each other to trust God (even as we “wrestle” with God), several people made announcements about upcoming events they are planning, like a camping trip for the church, or a trip to Carowinds for the teenagers, or a get-together in the park that afternoon. We then ate together and continued fellowshiping for a while.
Second, during our time of prayer request, I updated my brothers and sisters about my friend T. (See my post “The doctor told her she’s dying.”) I told them that after we finished eating, I was planning to go visit T., and I invited them to go with me. Several decided to go. So, we drove over to T.’s apartment. We talked for a few minutes, then I told her that we wanted to sing with her, read Scripture together, and pray with her. She asked if we would sing “How Great Thou Art,” so we did. Then, I read Ephesians 1, when includes a list of such great spiritual blessings from God. Then we sang “In Christ Alone,” and prayed together. It was a beautiful time. As we left, one of my dear friends stayed with T. for a while longer.
Third, a little later in the afternoon, I drove out to a local park where a family said they were going. It turns out that some other brothers and sisters came also. We played volleyball together, sat around for awhile, and walked around some trails. It was a great to spend time together, talking about what God was doing, and encouraging one another just as we had fun together.
The only bad thing about yesterday is that my wife, Margaret, was sick. She started running a slight fever Saturday night and it continued Sunday morning.
I’m looking forward to spending more time with the church this week (yes, this week, not just this weekend). I’m also looking forward to seeing T. this week. Perhaps I’ll be able to connect with some of T.’s neighbors that I haven’t had the chance to meet yet.
I came together with the church Sunday morning with a song and a pot of chili. God gave so much more through my brothers and sisters.
What did you bring to meet with your church yesterday (or whenever)? How did you meet with the church? How did God encourage your and how did he encourage others through you?
The doctor told her she’s dying
It’s been a while since I’ve written about our friends in “The Neighborhood.” There are several reasons for that. One of the main reasons that we haven’t been able to spend as much time with them as we normally would.
In case you haven’t been reading my blog in a while, “The Neighborhood” is a low income, government assisted housing development in Wake Forest. Originally, one of our friends invited us to come meet some of her neighbors there. Eventually, we became good friends with many of those who live there.
One of the ladies that we met was T. When we first met T., she had just had surgery for breast cancer, and she had been diagnosed with emphysema. She’s been on oxygen the entire time that we’ve known her (about 2 1/2 years). For the last year or so, she has had an assistance program coming to her house a few times a week to help her out.
She called me last week. She was very upset. She’s been having an even harder time breathing, and she went to the doctor. She was not able to see her normal doctor. The doctor that checked her that morning told her, “You’re dying. There’s nothing we can do for you. You may have a week or two, or maybe a year, but you will die soon.”
Now, she’s under hospice care.
I stopped by one afternoon to spend some time with her. She actually looks very good – better than she’s looked lately. She doesn’t think she’s as bad as the doctor said. Who knows.
She told me that she knew that God was taking care of her, and that she was trusting God. If God decided she was going to die soon, then she would. If God did not want to die soon, then it didn’t matter what the doctor said.
She said that she wants to get stronger so that she can come meet with the church with us. I told her that coming to our meeting place on Sunday morning should be the least of her concern. But, I told her, I thought the church would want to come to her.
Her face lit up. She smiled really big. “Do you think they’ll come here?” she asked. “I’m not able to clean my house like I want to. I don’t look very presentable.”
I promised her that her brothers and sisters did not care what her house looked like (they would probably even clean it for her), and they didn’t care that she had not had her bottom teeth replaced yet, and they didn’t care that she couldn’t take baths as often as normal. I told her that the church would want to come to her, to encourage her, to pray with her, to sing with her, to help her through this.
I haven’t seen her this bright and cheerful in a long time.