WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE?
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New Ways of Doing Church
Over the course of 16 years of doing ministry, I must confess that there were times I knew Jesus wouldn’t do it this way. I would be sitting at my desk, pouring over some administrative paperwork KNOWING Jesus would do it differently. My insides would be screaming “Get out of the office and hang out with people.” Or I can remember times I spent a good 20 hours preparing for a message: creating an outline, writing small group discussion questions and developing my power point for a 35 minute (all right I spoke for 43 minutes) sermon. Was that really the best use of those 20 hours? What kind of impact did it have? How many lives were changed? I might not know till judgment day. Then I read in Acts where Paul spent every day with people in the Halls of Tyrannus in the City of Ephesus teaching his disciples. By that means all the Jews and Greeks in the whole province of Asia heard the word of the Lord! I bet he didn’t spend 20 hours on each message.
As I am in transition right now for my next ministry assignment, the word I keep hearing from the Lord is “new wineskins.” To actually apply some of the lessons the Lord has been speaking to me about, will require new forms and structures. Most churches do not have the “stretch” to accommodate a radical shift in how to do ministry. I sense the Lord saying, don’t you dare go to an existing church and try to implement these things. You will ruin the existing church and all this new wine will be spilled on the ground and ruined. IF I am hearing the Lord right, either I have to find an existing church with the same values and structures that are needed...or I have to start new.
Some of the core values I think the Lord is looking for includes: a multiplying movement of “house church” size groups where radical body life ministry happens,; releasing the people in their priesthood; a leadership characterized by servanthood, humility, able to hear the voice of God, inclusive of men and women; a worshipping community; a healing community that transforms lives spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally; a house of prayer; releasing all the gifts of the Spirit; a church without walls- that is the people live in the world and minister in the world; a simpler model of church; a church with the parents discipling their children.
I guess I am tired of the church seemingly treading water when it comes to impacting our world. Can we truly say that the gospel is really radically changing our community? I’m hoping to see the Lord come in power and authority! I think it will take new wineskins for the work He wants to do.
Come Lord Jesus!
Posted by on 04/27 at 08:12 AM
Comments
Great Truth the church is floundering in the flesh. Satisfied with the current numbers of folks that are well that the pastor is trying to get better. Jesus said the well don’t need a physician. The church needs to model after how Jesus lived, walked and acted. We need to get a burden for souls a hunger to see our fellow neighbors repent. That will only happen when we are obedient to God loving Him with everything we have. The house church is coming which is a result of persecution or possibly the church walking away from Christs model. Kiss is what God has shown me (Keep It Simple Stupid) a military term and I’m in the Lord’s army Ben Palm
Cheers Dave! Best wishes and prayer enclosed.
"Some of the core values I think the Lord is looking for includes: a multiplying movement of “house church” size groups where radical body life ministry happens,; releasing the people in their priesthood; a leadership characterized by servanthood, humility, able to hear the voice of God, inclusive of men and women; a worshipping community; a healing community that transforms lives spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally; a house of prayer; releasing all the gifts of the Spirit; a church without walls- that is the people live in the world and minister in the world; a simpler model of church; a church with the parents discipling their children.”
Please check out our church in Melbourne, Australia.
http://www.lifeexpedition.org
Posted by
Angela on 07/14 at 06:04 PM
There seems to be a marked difference between “being the church” and “being A church.” While we at The Word Shop have avoided “becoming a church” for our eleven years of existence, much of the conversation, communion and commitments floating through our small corner of the Kingdom is around “Being the Church.” The books lining the walls speak of the experience of The Church through the ages. The people who come in are dealt with in small groups or individually, each in wildly different places in relationship to the Church and to the Lord. We muddle along, hoping to make a difference, hoping that this small witness will be a flame that lightens the darkness, a flame that ignites the fire of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s people. Come and visit us.
