Monday, February 06, 2006
Pioneering
Pioneering is 98% staying some one once told me. Its easier to start something new with a few people rather than a large group. A large group must reach a consensus and that is a very hard thing to do. With 2 people you can just say " do you agree?" "yah I agree" and you can begin. But what can happen is becaus ethose two have less to worry about they can move quite quickly out ahead of the larger group. I beleive this could have been some of God's wisdom in sending early followers out 2 by 2. But its also important not to move too far out in front or the larger group will be lost. No one left behind. As I write this I have a picture of 2 people moving through the wilderness in thick brush. There is no way the group could keep up with them so they press on ahead exploring the new territory. They find possibilities, new things, and dangers. If they move too quickly the brush behind them will start to grow in and the trail will be lost and they will become isolated from the larger group. The 2 must come back and lead people onto the new possibilities. The probelm is the group has not seen that it might be a better deal on the other side and they are quite content where they are. This i believe was the way the early church felt in Jerusalem just before God allowed persecution to come and the church was scattered. They were now the church at large, the diaspora. Some might think that is too bad that they couldnt stay together and enjoy one another's company, but I think it was a good thing. The Gospel was supposed to be shared with all. This scattering allowed that to happen. If that happened today would we fight it? Is God doing a similar work today? maybe it might look different. I do believe the Church is complacent in many ways. Not lazy and well meaning but we are in a rut.
What is God's vision of what the Church should look like today? The Bible compares the Church to a body. One big unit not really a family but something much closer. I trully believe God is not happy with so many factions and divisions. I think he wants us to divide physically, or to spread out to cover more ground and be more effective in sharing the good news but not spiritually. Denominational borders help us understand where we stand on different issues. It feels safer to me to know where sop and so belongs, in what category I can put them. I would be bold in saying it is fear that creates denominations. This is what I beleive. Just because we have denominations and God chooses to bless the church doesnt mean He approves. I can only imagine what it would be like without them. Paul said He considered it all loss compared to knowing Christ. He lists numerous socail and religous classes he belonged to in that context. In most of the introductions of his letters he states his identity as being sent from God, or of God etc. My point is he never mentions a church or religeous group. I realize this is not a perfect world but just because its not perfect does not mean we should pretend these things are right.If God had his way with the church in this world what would it look like? Would there be denominations or not? Denominations are a result of a disagreement. People could not resolve their differences and choose to leave one group and start another. They felt the differences were so great they could no longer in good conscience worship and live together. If it was simply a different ministry they would be a sister church or plant of the original and not tak on a new identity. We should speak the truth- in love of course and strive toward the truth. Its really dangerous to live our lives simply the way our fathers have just because unity seems immpossible. Paul said he had not attained these things but he strived towards them. Havent we stopped striving? I guess I could simply do what I am saying and hope that my life would convict others but really I am not strong enbough I need the rest of the Christian Community to "spur me on toward love and good deeds".
I seem to have gotten off the trail so to speak, but not really. Sometimes I dont want to share what God has showed me for fear that people might see me as arrogant. This way of thinking implies that those thoughts were from me and not a gift from God. I beleive everyone who has chosen to allow Christ into their life can hear God from the smallest to the largest matter. Of course when He spaeks it is inline with His character. If I am part of the body it is my responsibility to share what I have seen and heard to better the worldwide body. Blogs are great for this sort of thing. I believe the structure of the modern church limits the ability of God to show Himself through the diversity of individuals. When I say limit what I mean is that God , for whatever reason chooses not to interfere in alot of matters. He prefers to guide and allow us the choice to obey Him. He is so amazingly patient. People should not take offense if the administration of the church is questioned because we are all in this together if we are truly part of one body.
If my nervous system tells my brain that there is too much tension on my calf muscle and my brain tells me to stretch that muscle, should I be hurt and get angry at my nervous system? of course not. then why do we get angry when someone questions the administration of the church and its resources? We are all in this together and working towards the same goal. Its obvious why we get angry, because we are not rtruly unified, emotions run high, sin, we have many fears which cause us to desire to control people and our own lives. Its really hard to trust people.
I believe if we have any hope it is in having a correct view of the bibnlical concept of what the church is and wher it should be going so that when we get off track we can recognize how, where, why, and how to get back on track. So as simple as I can say it THe Church is: One body, of one spirit, and One lord. We are moving toward marriage and true unity with Christ in all His attributes for the end puropose of being eternally with God the Father. So the negative of that would be several smaller groups and even further every person just doing their ministry without any connection at all. What I am speaking of is a visual concept or picture in our minds when we think of Church. We even ask each other which church do you go to? this is evidence of a wrong perspective. Yes i understand it is simply small talk but subtly we have been taught a certain picture in our brain. I believe od has a different picture and the Bible illustrates it very clearly. The danger has been a copnstant one. A problem throughout the ages of the Church even before Christ. We moved from a family with abraham and ultmately God as father to religeon, kings and separations. We desire stability and I beleive the best place to find that and our identity and purpose is in God Himself anything short of that allows fear and animosity to take over. We have a great inheritance - God Himself is our inheritance (the livites were promised no imheritance of land and security only God Himself- we are now called a royal priesthood)would we rather trade it for a bowl of soup (comfortable and warm)?
This is oversimplistic I realize- it is vision and not worked out completely in mission but I believe we must start from this foundation of what God wants the church to be. Every supporting ligament working together to accomplish His purposes.
What is God's vision of what the Church should look like today? The Bible compares the Church to a body. One big unit not really a family but something much closer. I trully believe God is not happy with so many factions and divisions. I think he wants us to divide physically, or to spread out to cover more ground and be more effective in sharing the good news but not spiritually. Denominational borders help us understand where we stand on different issues. It feels safer to me to know where sop and so belongs, in what category I can put them. I would be bold in saying it is fear that creates denominations. This is what I beleive. Just because we have denominations and God chooses to bless the church doesnt mean He approves. I can only imagine what it would be like without them. Paul said He considered it all loss compared to knowing Christ. He lists numerous socail and religous classes he belonged to in that context. In most of the introductions of his letters he states his identity as being sent from God, or of God etc. My point is he never mentions a church or religeous group. I realize this is not a perfect world but just because its not perfect does not mean we should pretend these things are right.If God had his way with the church in this world what would it look like? Would there be denominations or not? Denominations are a result of a disagreement. People could not resolve their differences and choose to leave one group and start another. They felt the differences were so great they could no longer in good conscience worship and live together. If it was simply a different ministry they would be a sister church or plant of the original and not tak on a new identity. We should speak the truth- in love of course and strive toward the truth. Its really dangerous to live our lives simply the way our fathers have just because unity seems immpossible. Paul said he had not attained these things but he strived towards them. Havent we stopped striving? I guess I could simply do what I am saying and hope that my life would convict others but really I am not strong enbough I need the rest of the Christian Community to "spur me on toward love and good deeds".
I seem to have gotten off the trail so to speak, but not really. Sometimes I dont want to share what God has showed me for fear that people might see me as arrogant. This way of thinking implies that those thoughts were from me and not a gift from God. I beleive everyone who has chosen to allow Christ into their life can hear God from the smallest to the largest matter. Of course when He spaeks it is inline with His character. If I am part of the body it is my responsibility to share what I have seen and heard to better the worldwide body. Blogs are great for this sort of thing. I believe the structure of the modern church limits the ability of God to show Himself through the diversity of individuals. When I say limit what I mean is that God , for whatever reason chooses not to interfere in alot of matters. He prefers to guide and allow us the choice to obey Him. He is so amazingly patient. People should not take offense if the administration of the church is questioned because we are all in this together if we are truly part of one body.
If my nervous system tells my brain that there is too much tension on my calf muscle and my brain tells me to stretch that muscle, should I be hurt and get angry at my nervous system? of course not. then why do we get angry when someone questions the administration of the church and its resources? We are all in this together and working towards the same goal. Its obvious why we get angry, because we are not rtruly unified, emotions run high, sin, we have many fears which cause us to desire to control people and our own lives. Its really hard to trust people.
I believe if we have any hope it is in having a correct view of the bibnlical concept of what the church is and wher it should be going so that when we get off track we can recognize how, where, why, and how to get back on track. So as simple as I can say it THe Church is: One body, of one spirit, and One lord. We are moving toward marriage and true unity with Christ in all His attributes for the end puropose of being eternally with God the Father. So the negative of that would be several smaller groups and even further every person just doing their ministry without any connection at all. What I am speaking of is a visual concept or picture in our minds when we think of Church. We even ask each other which church do you go to? this is evidence of a wrong perspective. Yes i understand it is simply small talk but subtly we have been taught a certain picture in our brain. I believe od has a different picture and the Bible illustrates it very clearly. The danger has been a copnstant one. A problem throughout the ages of the Church even before Christ. We moved from a family with abraham and ultmately God as father to religeon, kings and separations. We desire stability and I beleive the best place to find that and our identity and purpose is in God Himself anything short of that allows fear and animosity to take over. We have a great inheritance - God Himself is our inheritance (the livites were promised no imheritance of land and security only God Himself- we are now called a royal priesthood)would we rather trade it for a bowl of soup (comfortable and warm)?
This is oversimplistic I realize- it is vision and not worked out completely in mission but I believe we must start from this foundation of what God wants the church to be. Every supporting ligament working together to accomplish His purposes.
hd 1:47 PM
