CHURCH
Here's a recent excerpt taken from an email conversation I've been having with my brother. Interesting take on how the church is supposed to love each other in the church. I always hear the position of 'we need to love those outside the church'. Gave me insight, hope it gives you some.
The whole conversation really revolves around one question: “What is the church?”
Biblically the word church in the greek is ekklesia, which is broken down into two parts, “klesia” meaning “called” and “ek” meaning “out”. So the word ekklesia or church means “called out ones”. And biblically it’s broken down by location, “the church in . . .” So the the church is the Christians in a given locality. What locality? Well in the bible there are three: universal, city, and house. Everyone, everywhere, for all of time that has put their faith in Christ is born into the universal church that we are all a part of. All the Christians in west bend are the “church in west bend” and within the church of west bend are Christians “who meet in homes”. Those are the only three breakdowns in the bible. If you find any others, let me know. We may make other distinctions but I believe God only sees those three.
And I’ll leave you with one last food for thought. . . I believe that the church is supposed to be more focused on love for each other than love for the lost, or rather that radically committing yourself in love for other Christians is the best way to love the lost, because the love between each other is the most attractive, drawing thing and the way God always meant it to be. Now days we add to our number, or a building, or a program, or a website adds to our number. In the book of acts it says that “God added to their number, daily those who were being saved.” We commit ourselves in selfless love to each other and God adds to our number. I think one reason we don’t is because it costs far less to put on a service and get things like charismatic personalities, good multi media presentations, cutting edge music, and a good children’s program than it does to have the character to live daily in love with people.
Biblically the word church in the greek is ekklesia, which is broken down into two parts, “klesia” meaning “called” and “ek” meaning “out”. So the word ekklesia or church means “called out ones”. And biblically it’s broken down by location, “the church in . . .” So the the church is the Christians in a given locality. What locality? Well in the bible there are three: universal, city, and house. Everyone, everywhere, for all of time that has put their faith in Christ is born into the universal church that we are all a part of. All the Christians in west bend are the “church in west bend” and within the church of west bend are Christians “who meet in homes”. Those are the only three breakdowns in the bible. If you find any others, let me know. We may make other distinctions but I believe God only sees those three.
And I’ll leave you with one last food for thought. . . I believe that the church is supposed to be more focused on love for each other than love for the lost, or rather that radically committing yourself in love for other Christians is the best way to love the lost, because the love between each other is the most attractive, drawing thing and the way God always meant it to be. Now days we add to our number, or a building, or a program, or a website adds to our number. In the book of acts it says that “God added to their number, daily those who were being saved.” We commit ourselves in selfless love to each other and God adds to our number. I think one reason we don’t is because it costs far less to put on a service and get things like charismatic personalities, good multi media presentations, cutting edge music, and a good children’s program than it does to have the character to live daily in love with people.
posted by Andy Christophersen at 12:26 PM
4 Comments:
Good topic to talk and think about. This is a hot topic and it will be interesting to hear varying responses. One thing I sometimes think of, is the way we sometimes read the bible and attempt to interpret it through our modern paradigm, that is to say we think of the way it would have been to meet in a "local church" then and what it would look to meet in the local church today. Breaking down the three aspects of church, universal, city house, or local. The times of the early church were less complex to say the least with less populous cities in many respects, a different culture socially, politically and spiritually. Looking at the time period then and looking at our world of hybrid cars and nano- ipods, it is clearly a different world and a more complex one at that to say that least. This complexity does not negate the notion that we are to love and love well and passionately those in the church- thus reaching those out. The modern era, some say post modern, creates the necessity for those in the church to really press in to wisdom and discernment when it comes to living our lives. While I share the thoughts by the author of the email that it is in fact easier and less costly to put on the big dog and pony show with dynamic music PowerPoint messages and killer child care. The idea of loving out of the home is good and valid, however I feel that a blending of the two paradigms, small house meetings, and the larger out of the house in the large building setting. While there are no references to mega churches in the new, (or old for that matter) testament, there is something to be said, I feel, to the vitality and vibrancy that comes with the carefully crafted large church setting. Any thoughts?
While I agree that my "blog" is getting and has been for some time now quite "flabby" for some time now, I do feel the importance of the art of forum to take place and, flabby as it may be does produce some good. Good examples of "Mega" in the new testament though, very insightfull this most excellent the ophilus one.
Tucci! Great Job! I agree with you. Not much else to add except one thing I have been learning. Real community can not happen outside of the place of prayer. I believe they gathered in thier houses mainly to pray. It is in the place of prayer that we move past fakeness and into real vulnerbility. When we pray with each other, for each other, for our cities we bare all that is on our soul and we connect spirit to spirit!
Mega Churches, if done correctly, can change the spiritual atmosphere in a city. While I agree with the use of today's technologies to put forth the gospel, we must be careful to not dumb down the message of the gospel. Most mega-churches I have been to have a tendency to be more man focused then God focused. They tend to be more concerned with getting more people then more of God in thier churches. When the multitudes gather to pray, fast, worship and turn to God, God moves. That is what we are after, is it not?
Another look at "mega churches" in the bible. (I hate using that word though! Carries a bad conotation.) Israel at Mt. Siani; Solomons dedication of the Temple; Also some really good ones that have not happened: the book of Revelation. The company of believers and angels around the throne of God worshipping Him.
Does that make sence? I agree with theo...they both have thier place. One is not more important then the other. But I am of a firm belief (partly because of where I live) that the only way we have true community is if it is centered around the place of prayer and intercession.
Tucci! Great Job! I agree with you. Not much else to add except one thing I have been learning. Real community can not happen outside of the place of prayer. I believe they gathered in thier houses mainly to pray. It is in the place of prayer that we move past fakeness and into real vulnerbility. When we pray with each other, for each other, for our cities we bare all that is on our soul and we connect spirit to spirit!
Mega Churches, if done correctly, can change the spiritual atmosphere in a city. While I agree with the use of today's technologies to put forth the gospel, we must be careful to not dumb down the message of the gospel. Most mega-churches I have been to have a tendency to be more man focused then God focused. They tend to be more concerned with getting more people then more of God in thier churches. When the multitudes gather to pray, fast, worship and turn to God, God moves. That is what we are after, is it not?
Another look at "mega churches" in the bible. (I hate using that word though! Carries a bad conotation.) Israel at Mt. Siani; Solomons dedication of the Temple; Also some really good ones that have not happened: the book of Revelation. The company of believers and angels around the throne of God worshipping Him.
Does that make sence? I agree with theo...they both have thier place. One is not more important then the other. But I am of a firm belief (partly because of where I live) that the only way we have true community is if it is centered around the place of prayer and intercession.
Post a Comment
<< Home