Is today's church the church of the New Testament?

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. -Ephesians 4:11-16

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. -1 Corinthians 12:28

If there is a hierarchial outline of what a church should consist of ...these statements are it. For starters ...let us not forget "whose" church it is. It is Jesus' church. He established it. This statement also shows "who" the church is. The church is made up of the Believers, the Followers. We are "the Body".

At first glance ...this looks very much like the church (certainly the Protestant church, to some degree the Catholic Church) today. But I believe a closer review of the New Testament church and the church, today, reveals a different story. Far too many "Christian churches" are headed up by what is, effectively, a CEO type of leader ..the "pastor". Depending on what translation of the text that you read ....the passage in Ephesians may even say "pastor" (the only place you'll find it). But the same Greek word is used elsewhere as "shepherd". Splitting hairs??? I don't think so. Over time, the pastoral role has taken on that of a CEO type (at worst) and a designated, trained "preacher" (at best).

"So what's the point ...in pointing that out?" ...you may ask. The point is that you and I need to be very investigative of what the original "church" was, and ask ourselves if the church "today" should model it. Personally, I believe it should ...as most card-carrying Christians would agree. Whether or not there is a "paid pastor", to me, is the least of concerns for the modern church ....even if we can conclude, and I believe we can, that the New Testament church had no such role! Shepherd for certain ...lead-dog, head-man-in-charge ...certainly NOT!

It is Jesus' church! He is the HEAD of the BODY. Jesus Christ, alone, is "Pastor" of His church. So, should we give every modern day pastor the boot ...kick 'em out on the curb? I can think of many Scriptual, and common-sense, reasons to the contrary. But what is the harm, the damage of perpetuating this? In brevity .....a high volume, and great risk, of "dumbed-down Christians". A tilt toward fair-weathered, easy-believism ...that can completely skew a new follower's view of who he / she is as "Christian". THIS is the tragedy in perpetuating the modern model of the church. The writer of this article was, in fact, a "dumbed-down" Christian. This wasn' my pastor's fault. It wasn't, altogether, the church's fault ....at least not the people in it. But "the church" was, and still is, perfectly structured so that you and I may, far too easily, simply fall in line, and fall in the cracks. Without accountability to "learn" God's word ..we too often depend on others to spoon-feed it to us. While that is / was nobody's fault but mine ....what if I were in an environment that made it crystal-clear that growing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord was, primarily, my responsibility?

Do I believe every church with a designated / for-hire "pastor" is mis-lead, or not useful to the Kingdom?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! My own "membership" (membership=that's another article, for another time) is with one of those churches. Our "pastor" is a humble man, not self-seeking nor self-serving. He strives toward the mark of the high-calling of Christ Jesus. He vehemently denies absolute leadership of our body of Believers, and ascribes Lordship to Jesus Christ alone. I love my pastor. He is, in fact, a dear friend. He seeks the Lord in any decision. And can he be blamed if congregants and members do not grow in the word and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus? Surely not!

But..... does, even our fellowship's, model of "church" tend to continue to feed the notion that the pastor preaches and leads, and we simply sit and soak it all up? I fear so. I can say that, humbly, because I honestly believe my church is an exceptional church. There are, in fact, many Sunday morning services where our pastor's teaching / preaching doesn't dominate the time together. Sometimes, it is the Believers who share scripture. Often, we have spent all of our time together praying, and sometimes even singing. It is as close to "organic" as I've been a part of.

But how long do we go on .....ignoring the elephant in the room? If the Lord prompted me (and He has many, many in today's culture) to start a fellowship ...it could not include the modern-day role of "pastor". It WOULD include shepherds (those who care for, encourage, and lead the fellowship). It would include evangelists. It would include elders (called out of the body, with the great responsibility of leading the body). It would include equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and building up the body of Christ.

This is nothing "new". If you google "house church", "simple church", "organic church" ...you'll see there are many folks desiring to get back to the church of the New Testament; the one Jesus pastored, and the one His own disciples propogated.

If you are involved in a fellowship where the pastor holds the reigns for all the decisions being made for the church ...I would encourage you to leave quickly. If, on the other hand, you belong to a fellowship where the pastor simply desires to serve the Lord Jesus, and desires that the body of Christ also carry out the work, by the unified leadership of the Holy Spirit ....I would encourage you enjoy it, but to see the church's ministry through the lense of Jesus Christ as told in the New Testament. Realize that you have a specific role, which only you can discern through leadership of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement and guidance by fellow Believers.

If you're where many other Christians are ...and you feel that it's time to deliberately, and intentionally, return to the simple model of a fellowship of Believers, who literally places Christ as the Head, and at the center, of all things.... I would encourage you to do some research. Investigate "organic church". Beware of wolves, bathe in prayer, and ask the Father, through the person of the Holy Spirit, to show you the way He would have you go.

The "message" of God's word has not changed. Who Jesus Christ is has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The times we live in, to quote an old song, they are a-changin'. We must be all things to all men, that by all means ....some might be saved! I'm open to doing that through a big church (though I have great concerns over what kind of disciple it creates), and even more open to following His will through a small fellowship ...that can live, eat, breathe, make decisions, and be flexible ....as God leads.

Wrestle with this. It is a good wrestling match. The questions will cause you to seek Him. And I believe He will reveal Himself if you seek Him with all your heart -Jeremiah 29:11-13

People Don't Care How Much We Know ..Until They Know How Much We Care

As a "Believer" (..that may be a secret code for "Christ-follower"..) I, and others, have been taught to stand firm in what we believe. As the old-saying goes.... "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!" I believe there is certainly some general truth to that statement ...but I also believe we (The Believers) have often, and inadvertently, twisted this a bit ..maybe "over-done" it a bit. I'm just being a little transparent here. Let me explain. I believe, and believe "passionately", who Christ is ...what He did ...what He is doing ...according to Scripture and what He has revealed in my own life and walk. Often, I am so convinced, so passionate, about what I believe to be the truth ...that I can be guilty of "arguing"! I don't want to ...yet I just find myself "defending". Does God need "me" to defend "Him"?? Certainly not ...but I'm only human, and simply passionate about my belief. I guess it only makes sense. If a person believes something so much, has calculated the cost of believing, has sometimes paid the price for believing, and wraps his or her life around that belief ..then it only stands to reason that he or she will desire to "defend" that belief.

That being said ...I believe, as a Christ-follower, we are called to defend our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 says... "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,". (emphasis mine) I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to say that the "burden of proof" is on Believers ..as we think of this burden of proof in a modern judicial sense. But, we Believers do believe that the truth exists in that which we hold so dear. Conclusively, we are the "carriers" of His truth. I guess... if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....?? But how often has this "defense" turned into an out-and-out "argument". And what exactly does it mean, anyway, to "make a defense..."?

I like what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans...

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." -Romans 14:13

A dictionary definition of the word "defense" indicates... "resistance against attack; protection:" It's the same defense utilized in football or basketball. We, as Christians, are not to instigate attacks ...yet we are called to "defend" the faith, and the Believer, against attacks ..no differently than a defensive line guards the line of scrimmage.

So what, exactly, is a practical difference between "defending" and "arguing"?? The non-believing world may often sense that we Chris-followers want to brow-beat them with the truth. Let me be the one to say.. I am sorry if you have ever felt "brow-beat". That is not the true Believer's intention. Sometimes our "passions" get involved. If you were driving down a highway, driving toward me, and I had already discovered that the road is out, or a bridge is out, up ahead ...I would be, indeed, "passionate" about warning you of this pending doom. It's no different with us as Christ-followers. I / we cannot force you to "believe" ...and if we could, it would be against God's will, according to Scripture, to do so. He gave all of us the choice. Regardless ...my belief in His truth SCREAMS to me to warn others of the truth.

Just as my God loves me enough to give me the "choice" of following Him ....I need to offer you the same choice; and the true freedom to choose it or decline it. If I "convinced" you... it would be short-lived. But if "He" convinces you ....I'll need not say a thing. So my goal is to just try and stay out of the way; to not be a stumbling block. I am passionate about my Lord, my God, my Savior. I'd LOVE to talk about Him with you (assuming you don't know Him). But I don't wanna' brow-beat. It wasn't brow-beating that persuaded me. It was "faith" ....simply trusting in what His word says about Him (Jesus). And He loves you just as much as He loves me. No reason you can't apply the same faith.

I think this is all best summarized in a note, written on a napkin, I was handed today at a restaraunt. A good friend and I were having this very discussion. Not surprisingly, a lady at the table behind us over-heard our conversation. Just as we were checking out to leave ...she handed me this "napkin truth". I think she stated, in one sentence, what took my friend and I an hour to discuss. It read.....

"Until someone knows Jesus truly loves them, they can't love Him. It's all in GOD's grace!"

For The Love of Christ,
Steve

Balance

Life is all about balance. Whether in the midst of adversity, or when things are going well ...our goal is "balance". I have learned this lesson with our children. It is clear, to my wife and I, that their contentment, their happiness, is not dependant on us "giving" them stuff, or whether we do not. Furthermore, it is really not dependant on what we "do" with them; though it is important that we "do" things with them. But if we merely "do" ..without a purpose, without showing that we care, that "we" are interested ....then we have only "done".

I DO believe that it IS about how much time we spend with them; how much quality time we spend .....how much we show that what is important to them is, also, important to us. Skateboarding and drums for my middle son, music and "thinking / discussion" for my oldest, and just plain ole' having "FUN" with our youngest ....though his world is beginning to change as well ...so we need to adjust with it. His now "simple" contentment will soon change to ceaseless curiosity and likely dis-contentment with the same ole'. He'll want to test boundaries, and see what is out there.

BUT, and there is always a "but" ..because that is, in part, where the "balance" comes from. There are / must be some non-negotiables. My wife and I must decide what values and practices we hold dear. We'll need to be firm on those, but at the same time flexible where / when it is warranted. Not wishy-washy ....but flexible. There is a difference. Sometimes the line between the two is rather "thin" ..but there is a huge "effective" difference. We must be ply-able enough and discernable enough, as parents, to know when to make those judgment calls.

More than anything ...my wife and I must keep on keepin' on. I honestly believe this is, hands-down, the MOST IMPORTANT thing in the world for our children. We must decide the "right" things to do, the "right" directions to go ....and we must pursue them accordingly ...and make clear, by our own actions and lifestyle, that the non-negotiables WILL be accomplished ...with or without the active (impassive) participation of our children, as they so choose. They must continue to see, into adult-hood, what is important to us. They are going to be "grown" soon enough, themselves. They'll have their own adulthood and own realities to live with, make decisions for, and wrestle through.

I want them to see their mom and dad, even when they are adults themselves, still pushing toward the goal of the non-negotiables ...all while being "gracefully" flexible and compassionate toward theirs, and others, needs.

That is all really easy to "say" ...and much more difficult to live out..... to "balance". But if we don't first say it and make a decision as to what we willl do ...then we will most certainly never actually do it.

This is my challenge to "us", as parents. This is a challenge my wife and I present to ourselves. Our relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ, and His will, is priority #1. I'm not talking merely about the church building and the attendance thereof. I'm talking about Christ-like-ness and following His will. My youngest is involved in Scouting. And his "mom" is his den leader... his Akela! This is a great teacher! This shows a commitment to our son, and the other boys in his den, and it teaches them such good values ...simple values ..which will endear them the rest of their lives.

It would be reasonable to say that we must be almost robotic, without discounting the compassion only a human can have, in our endeavor to be consistent ...to do what we do because it is what Jesus Christ would have us do. We need to live like we can't imagine another way ...as if, internally, we have no choice ...even though we have been given the opportunity and literal act of just that ...."choice".

Our kids will notice ..and sooner or later they'll "get it". And if they do not, later, get it ....then it is not because mom and dad failed to demonstrate it. They, too, will continue to have "choices" to make.

Without Excuse

Proof, evidence, affirmation, and confirmation ....some would say that all of these are subjective to the one in search of any one of these. Often, we fail to see the forest for sake of the trees.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. -Romans 1:18-20

Paul's letter to the church in Rome reminds us "the unrighteous" actually suppress the truth. That begs a couple of questions...

a. What makes one "righteous"?
b. Why would an un-righteous person suppress truth?

The answer to question 'a.' may very well be in the same letter of Paul's. In Rom. 1:17 Paul states... "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,...". Righteousness belongs only to One ...that is the Creator God. His righteousness is gifted to us through His Son and only by His Good Will. Believing in, and on, Him begins with faith, faith sustains that belief, and faith alone will reveal the grace which saves us. That "faith" is not a "blind" faith. We are without excuse, says the author. God has manifest Himself in all that is before us. Yet, we demand other "hard" evidence ...and miss the forest for the trees.

This may be the answer to questoin 'b.' as well. In our quest for truth, and nothing but truth .....we devise our own standards of what the evidence, the proof, the truth really is. Therefore, we suppress the truth which is already before our very eyes.

Maybe we should search less ...and believe more.

The Great Equalizer

"..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
-Romans 3:23

In economics ..the "socialism" theory / experiment has been a long-standing attempt to create a more level, or equal, playing field for society ..specifically in terms of labor and wage-earners. That's the simplistic description at least. Socialism is as broad as long ...and variants seem to come to light frequently over time. I wonder "why"?? I can understand the desire that things be "fair", that the class-systems aren't so extreme. This is, in fact, how Communism came into the picture ...and didn't work so well either.

I'm certainly no economist ...nor am I as savy as I would want to be in societal studies ...but there is an element which I believe we consistently disregard when it comes to the arguments and theories of utopian societies, level playing fields, class-less societies, etc. That is... the players in the game (that is you and I) are, to begin with, un-equal! That is ...un-equal in terms of our own desires, wants, and needs. We can generalize that we are all the same, but a closer look reveals different levels of maturity and need in we humans. Visit your neighbor, or a co-worker, and find out where they are in life. Chances are you'll find his / her wants and needs a little different from your own.

I believe there is, however, a "great equalizer". Whatever your spiritual disposition, I find it difficult to believe that anyone can argue against the depraved condition of man. Even the most "moral" of men surely recognizes the qualities of lust, of hatred in his own heart, our greedy nature, or our covetousness (keeping up with the Joneses). Recognizing that we are created in God's own image, fearfully and wonderfully made ....sounds good in a Bible study ...but living out our lives with this level of confidence, this level of contentment ....has yet to seem to work for us as individuals. And if individuals can't believe it ...why would we think we can practice life any differently as a collective?

I believe the Scriptures, when it says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It isn't much of a stretch for me to believe in a Creator. I'm here.... I'm thinking... I am doing. Conclusively, it isn't much of a stretch for me to believe that Creator is a perfect and holy Creator. And if I am the "creat-ed" ...then it isn't a far stretch to resolve my own imperfection ....compared to His glorious standard.

In these terms you and I are very much alike. The differences, with this perspective in mind, are simply a matter of specifics. I sin, you sin, we all fall short of God's glory. Now the playing field is equalizing. We've found common-ground after all. As individuals ...we will always be different. Our Creator made us that way. As a collective ...we truly are in the same boat in terms of our spiritual condition. And our Creator is gracious enough to leave decisions about our own spiritual condition ...to the individual. Hmmm... no class-system here. Just a decision to be made by you ...by me.

There's more to this story ..that we have all sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard. The Scriptures indicate.... "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." -Paul's Letter to the Romans ch.3 vv. 23-26

I'd rather be "made" righteous ...than to "be" righteous. Dependent on me alone ....my righteousness shall wane ...become as filthy rags. Dependent on God's provision, through Jesus Christ, I am "justified". Only by His grace ...through faith. Maybe the playing-field is already equal enough ....and only a righteous Judge can mandate a fair sentencing or rehabilitation.

Purpose

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. -Acts 20:24, NLT

This Scripture reminds me of my purpose, our purpose, on this marble. Though I do gain some ground in terms of endurance, and patience as I get older ...I still find myself "distracted" too often. Distracted by the opinions of others, the arguments and debates of who we are, where we come from, why bad things happen (.. I rarely hear us ask why "good" things happen, incidentally..). At times I find myself taking stock of my life thus far. I find myself wondering if it has amounted to anything ...and then I catch myself weighing it against those things that cannot really last, at best, beyond my own existence.

I agree with these words. My life truly is worth nothing unless used for the purposes for which God has called me, of which He has made clear in His word. We are not trapped, or doomed, to an existence of meaninglessness. Rather, we are set free to pursue a singular purpose, laying aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12)

In that work ...we rest... knowing that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11