As a Pastor I am sure you will not be surprised to hear me say I love the church. However, the Church is not a building. Church is also not an event that takes place exclusively on Sundays.
I know, it's how we think of it. "I go to First Whatever Church." "We are members of St. Somebody's." "It’s Sunday so it’s time to GO TO church?"
You might be surprised to learn that this is not how the Bible uses the term at all. When the Scriptures talks about church, it really means 'community of believers'. The little fellowships of the heart that are growing together. A shared life experience.
They worship together, eat together, pray for one another, go on missions together. They hang out together in each other's homes.
When Peter was released from prison, "he went to the house of Mary the mother of John… where many people had gathered and were praying" (Acts 12:12).
Anytime an army goes to war, or an expedition takes to the field, it breaks down into little platoons and squads. And every chronicle of war or quest will tell you that the men and women who fought so bravely, fought for each other.
That's where the acts of heroism and sacrifice actually take place, because that's where the devotion is. You simply can't be devoted to a huge mass of people; devotion takes place in small units, just like a family.
We are not called to be an organization; we are more of an organism instead, a living and spontaneous association of individuals who know one another intimately, care for each other deeply, and feel a kind of respect for one another that makes rules and bylaws almost unnecessary.
A group is the right size, I would guess, when each member can pray for every other member, individually and by name.
Now, I'm not suggesting you don't do whatever it is you do on Sunday mornings. I'm simply trying to help you see the reality — that whatever else you do, you must have a small fellowship of friends to walk with you and fight with you and bandage your wounds when you are injured. This is essential. There are no Rambo Christians; at least there is not supposed to be.
I am so grateful that I have a group of fellow travelers that have joined me on this journey.
I know, it's how we think of it. "I go to First Whatever Church." "We are members of St. Somebody's." "It’s Sunday so it’s time to GO TO church?"
You might be surprised to learn that this is not how the Bible uses the term at all. When the Scriptures talks about church, it really means 'community of believers'. The little fellowships of the heart that are growing together. A shared life experience.
They worship together, eat together, pray for one another, go on missions together. They hang out together in each other's homes.
When Peter was released from prison, "he went to the house of Mary the mother of John… where many people had gathered and were praying" (Acts 12:12).
Anytime an army goes to war, or an expedition takes to the field, it breaks down into little platoons and squads. And every chronicle of war or quest will tell you that the men and women who fought so bravely, fought for each other.
That's where the acts of heroism and sacrifice actually take place, because that's where the devotion is. You simply can't be devoted to a huge mass of people; devotion takes place in small units, just like a family.
We are not called to be an organization; we are more of an organism instead, a living and spontaneous association of individuals who know one another intimately, care for each other deeply, and feel a kind of respect for one another that makes rules and bylaws almost unnecessary.
A group is the right size, I would guess, when each member can pray for every other member, individually and by name.
Now, I'm not suggesting you don't do whatever it is you do on Sunday mornings. I'm simply trying to help you see the reality — that whatever else you do, you must have a small fellowship of friends to walk with you and fight with you and bandage your wounds when you are injured. This is essential. There are no Rambo Christians; at least there is not supposed to be.
I am so grateful that I have a group of fellow travelers that have joined me on this journey.
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