My Ramblings on the 2nd part of Ch. 4

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan Lambshead on August 28, 2009 at 5:13pm

I think Yahushua knew we would not find many. That is why He said "Wherever two or more are gathered in My name..."
I personally think He was laying out the gathering for us in that statement, and giving us the encouragement that we need to know that when we do this we are not missing it somehow by not going to the 'special building' as you called it.

Nathan

Permalink Reply by Gordon Brock on August 28, 2009 at 7:20pm

That and the 'comfortable christianity' you can find in the IC...the larger the group, the easier it is for you to hide and not get confronted about your Spirituality, your growth, your walk, etc.
In my old IC, the "two-winged church" was taught. That is a Church that has two wings, one is the Sunday morning meeting and the other is the home group meeting. Both were believed to be essential for proper functioning in the body, and home group participation was stressed for members. This was good in theory, but as we have all learned, when the home groups are a trickle down of the structure of the IC, and still the dominion of the 'Pastor' no matter who the leader was, you still do not have a NT style gathering. I can look back and say, that when I was a 'home group leader', our group lasted a long time and was well attended, and I believe it's because I focused on relationship and Spiritual growth (kinda like the Spirit was already preparing my heart for organic christianity before I ever knew what that was).
But as Ron says; the mindset is, church as a building, a denomination, a program, a place you go, a Sunday morning experience. A paradigm shift is necessary, and only God can do that though the Holy Spirit.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Skillman on August 29, 2009 at 1:17am

I agree that a big part of the problem is our own individualistic mindset--glorified in the US even more than in other places. We consider individualism as amongst the highest of virtues (so long as the individualist is of the flavor we personally approve.) ;) In the church, it should not be so. We are to melt into one body of Christ. Needing one another is not only okay, it's essential. In a large (or small) IC, you can come in, sit through the service, shake a few hands (or not) and leave. In fact, it's a LOT easier to be anonymous than relational. In my experience, making true friends in an IC (unless maybe you grew up there) is nearly impossible. I'm not that much of a mixer, but I really did try. No good at a number of different ICs. I don't think it's just me. In the church we're involved in now, people seem to like me okay. It's just the nature of the whole IC experience. Anonymity is almost kind of the point for a lot of people, isn't it? Commitment, but not too big a dose of it, maybe?

Figuring out SC is hard, but making IC work the way the NT seems to expect church to work is--dare I say--like putting a rich camel through the eye of a needle. With God all things are possible, but I think God is definitely moving in a homeward way in these last days. It's time for the church to coalesce into that radiant bride Jesus is preparing a place for. No more spots and wrinkles and blemishes. Time to wake up and trim the lamps and if we haven't put in a supply of extra oil, I'd get a move on. I don't think God is going to settle for second best in a bride for His Son. Is this the last reformation? Is it time to make the final touches to the gown and the hair? Time for the church to truly become one as God is One? I absolutely believe it is.

As to your situation, Ryan, I can only encourage you, brother--keep on praying. There are others near you who do already long for, or will soon be looking for what you're looking for. God told me to just wait, but if He's telling you to move, a couple of suggestions: Start a group here and maybe at SC, too, for the church in your hometown (even tho it's just you and your family at the moment). It will help people find you. Also, you might check out the home school movement in your area. Lots of home schoolers also do home church and might be interested in some company. Finally, some of us here in RC will be going to the Las Vegas convention Viola and Rodriguez and some others are putting on. Vegas is relatively affordable--maybe you should consider it if only for the refreshment/fellowship.

Love, Cindy

Permalink Reply by Ryan Huling on August 29, 2009 at 4:52pm

Thanks Cindy, I appreciate your suggestions. I am thinking about the vegas thing. Would love to go. Not sure if it would work for us at the moment. I think I'll follow your advice and post the groups.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Huling on September 22, 2009 at 3:06pm

I'm not sure if we're going or not. Thanks for the support, Ron.