THE LAST 7 WORDS – –
We humans find comfort and security in things as they are and often become restless with change. How we do church is a prime example.
Most of us acknowledge that our society is profoundly different from 10 years ago, but many still can’t see that it effects “church.” Isaiah and Jesus spoke of them. I join the swelling company that hears Jesus calling us to become a Mt. 16:18 Church that is relevant to the growing hostility toward Him, and us.
Our need for instruction and encouragement, and for giving-receiving relationships with fellow believers, will always remain, but the ways we experience them must change. This is revolutionary.
Are the last seven words of a dying church, “We never did it that way before.”?
ARE WE “THE CHURCH”?
Elaine’s and my week included numerous instances of serving others in Jesus’ Name. Saturday evening we listened to a challenging message by a wonderful servant of God; Sunday morning we took in a live online service; and that evening we joined a three-hour home gathering with several families.
Does that qualify for “being the church,” or must we go to a specified building with its spiritual hierarchy, budget, and man’s management systems?
Do we need to “pass the basket” or may Elaine and I invest in the Kingdom otherwise?
Must we have a professional preacher, or can the Holy Spirit instruct us? Assuming that Biblical “eldership” is present, can a divorced/remarried sister lead our meeting?
What makes us “the Church”? Do we need a “head” other than Jesus? We’d better figure that out because trouble is coming and the way things are is not the way they will be.
THINK DEEPLY!
Is it possible that how we do church defines our spirituality enough that changing it, threatens us?
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Eph. 1:22-23 niv
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
Oct. 25, 2021
CLICK HERE for printable pdf.