You got answers?
I'm anxious to hear about what you think will work to turn the American Church around? You got answers, why not share them?
posted by Bob Carder @ 2:22 PM
11 comments
I'm anxious to hear about what you think will work to turn the American Church around? You got answers, why not share them?
posted by Bob Carder @ 2:22 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I know most people are very defensive when we look at Church. That is probably due to the fact that they see Church as people meeting together. Why they meet and what they do, most people do not have a clue about. I always point them to 1 Cor. 14:26-40, and Eph. 4. But that is only the one part. We have to share the Gospel with people and then train them. We do not need pew warmers. So what about "my church".
Whatever form of church you belong to is not the issue, be it a home church, cell church, Pentecostal church, Methodist church, Anglican Church, or any other grouping. It is about being Church. These different churches are not any different from the groupings we found in the time of Jesus, with the Pharisees and the Sadducees. But Jesus did not try to convince them that He was the Christ. No, He went to people like Matthew, a tax collector, or Peter a fisher. Today's church is not any different. The best analogy I could find is to compare our churches of today with a club. You will find that a club has certain rules that specify who can be members and they have rules that you have to abide by; there is a club captain or chairman that decides on how the club will function (Pastor); there is a clubhouse where everybody meets (Church building); there are membership fees that one has to pay (tithes), and all the members normally have a common interest. But that is not what the Bible tells us what Church is.
You might feel that you would like to differ from me in that Israel had a Tabernacle and later a Temple in which they gathered, and that is why you feel this way. This is what you see as people getting together, a place where the Spirit of the Lord will manifest. Now we also know that Jesus came to destroy the temple in three days. During this time Jesus fulfilled every commandment and prescription Israel had to adhere to as far as offers and the first covenant was concerned. That is why there is no temple anymore, as Jesus came to restore the relationship Israel had before being disobedient. This relationship is explained in Exodus 20 verses 18 to 20: "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." The Lord wants to have a relationship with each one of us, but we have to realize the impact of this situation. We cannot like Israel tell Moses to stand between the LORD and us, as He promised in Ezekiel that He will come and live inside of us. Once we realise the immenseness of the situation, we will do as He commands. This is the relationship he wants with each one of us.
Bob, Hope this note finds you well and I know you and Michelle are proud grandparents (your too young to be a grandpa). As far as the church turning around, I believe it can be done. I believe we as leaders have failed to come along side the people of the church and disciple them. Teaching,training and putting into practice what it means to be a Christian. We, not "The Church" have failed them. It is not a building, budget or program problem.It is teaching by example the simple things- the bible and how to study and use it, prayer life and what it means to go to the Lord in prayer, how to serve others and in turn show them how to serve the next person and many other things that I do not have the time or length of blog to list. It is us! It does not matter if we worship in a building, a home, or under the stars, if we do not step up, then any type of church/movement will fail. God Bless and give Matt,Liz and Silas my best...John
I have no answers. But I want to think John is right. And that's the direction I'm working toward.
The best thing we can do is learn to trust Jesus with our lives and love like Jesus in our relationships and in the world. Learning this is discipleship. Teaching it is disciple-making.
John, I agree, but how can we see this change come about in America. You say so much that is so true, but how do we reactivate the church in the right direction and away from status-quo?
Louwrens, well said. One by one we reach two by two who reach????
This could be the answer you know.
Cyprusdan, We never fully teach or learn until the people who teach and who learn put it into practice. That is what is lacking in the American Church.
This is also the Greek influence that crept early into the church which taught learning above doing.
No more optional discipleship!
Right on, Byron. You caught the fever for sure.
No mention of the Holy Spirit. He must be grieved.
ANOM- The Holy Spirit through Spirit-filled Christ followers is the only answer. Without the Holy Spirit there is nothing of eternal significance. You and I speak the same language here.
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