Forums
Author: Commoner
For we know in part and we prophesy in part but when perfection comes the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part then I shall know fully... Throughout the ages the church is fundementally preserved by Chist (God is in control) It is a living organism that is being changed not only as individuals(cells) in the body of Christ but also collectively as a corporate body into the image of Christ. What I see in the church today is the age old agruement from Pauls day...namely (I am of Paul and I am of Appolos) anotherwords I go to so and sos church and you go to so and so's and we do things this way and you do them that way. What I dont see clearly is the body of Christ united and cooperating with one another to Love God and Love people so that the gospel could be spread throughout the known world till Christ's return. Are we not to go about our Fathers' business no matter what the cost? Are we so distracted by our comforts, our individuality, our own needs that we forget what we as a church are designed by God to do? Have we strayed that far from the teachings of Christ and the Apostles that we've become complacent in our responsiblities as a collective body of Christ. The fundamental problem of our church today is immaturity. I hope that I have given some thought provoking insights to the church as we know it today so that we may learn and begin to unite in the work that we are called to do. And that we may mature and change in Him collectively until He comes again. In His Love and Care, Commoner
I was a 'founding' member of our church and faithfully attended for over 20 years. My husband works there, and we were best friends with the pastor and his wife for the first 10 years or so. I had struggled deeply with the idea of an eteral hell of torment since I was a child. I watched all the 'tribulation' movies as a youth at my old baptist church and was terrified. For the last 8 years or so I was really seeking God, and for the first time feeling near to Him. As I was studying more, I was coming across more verses that seemed to indicate that God still has power to save, even after death! This was so exciting to me, and confusing because it went against everything I had been taught. When I specifially prayerd for God to show me "how will you show grace to the unbeliever?", I came across the book "Hope Beyond Hell" and my life was transformed. I was so excited to share with my pastor, I just knew he would embrace it too...because obviously the word 'eternal' was mistranslated; who could or would want to argue that? Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. If someone could have given me any answer to why eternal HAS to mean eternal and why that makes more since, I would have stayed. But I was pretty much just scoffed at and ignored. I waited almost two years before I finally felt like God told me to leave. I have never felt more betrayed and hurt, and I pray everyday for God's healing. My husband and I are in counseling; he also refused to read the book, and when I explained to him what it said he agreed it made more since...but he couldn't believe it because the 'church' doesn't teach it. Well, I'm done with the 'church'. Of course I'm not done with Christians or loving people or having community...I'm still waiting for God to show me where to go from here.
My short answer: the community would not have to give up anything, but add something. Now, an explanation. The present structure of the church has developed over almost 2000 years, and has certain essential features: preaching (fully Biblical), teaching, (likewise), the sacraments, (again, Biblical), and fellowship--i.e. personal relationships. The occasion for these features has been public worship services, with preaching, sacraments, and relationship. What is not necessary to the community is a particular kind of building, a scripted liturgy, and a formal administrative heirarchy. But Christian worship and fellowship around the world share the essentials, but differ on the non-essentials. We should not try to re-engineer the essentials, and if we do, our efforts are going to be short-lived and rootless. What must be add? Only one thing: a serious engagement with fellow Christians in multiple kinds of face-to-face relationships. Modern Brits and Americans are almost adverse to devoting serious time to our relationships as cats are to water.
By the way, my wife and I served as circuit ministers in the Methodist Church in Great Britain for two years. We loved it, and had a wonderful impact. Checkout formativerelationships.org.