So last night turned out pretty sweet. Wasn't sure if anyone was going to show up but in true epic fashion within a couple min of 8 it looked like we had 30 some people. I will let you know the next time and place. But on to today's thought..
What if we built a church backwards? What if we built it inside out?
You see Jesus talks alot about how to act as a follower of Him. What our lifestyle should embody, things like serving others, compassion for those in need, the ability to reach those that the religious have marginalized. He said the 2 most important commands involve loving God and your neighbor. Then He tells a story to the church leaders that your neighbor isn't someone that looks, dresses, or acts like you. Your neighbor is the person that makes you uncomfortable, that you lock your door when they walk by your car.
I guess the question posed is this, To live this life that Jesus called us to live and impact the world the way Jesus did, is the most effective mode to build a big building on a suburban street corner? Does this effectively get at this serving and compassion for the world, that Jesus calls our number one priority? I don't think so, I think we need to "build" a church around compassion and service, to the community and the world. We then create ways to disciple and teach those that are being transformed as they come along side and continue to help serve. And last but not least we get together from time to time to gather and worship together in celebration. I know I know I know what your thinking, but Jim that isn't how a church starts, you have to have this worship service that everyone shows up at on a convenient suburban corner, then once "everyone" starts coming to that you institute this program called small groups, (make sure every leader is a member of the church), and last but not least you do these things called outreach projects and missions trips. Yeah I know I guess you're right thats the way your "supposed" to do it, not all backwards and inside out...
but..
What if...
2 comments:
I've attended church most of my life in some fashion or another. Attended many different demoninations and everytime it is the same, mostly the same message, some a little more passionate but the same message. Get involved in our church, help the people that are here and that are already saved. tithe and then serving is a small portion of it. Usually I didn't walk away feeling lead to speak to people about my faith sometimes but it wasn't the focus. When I left Sunday night that was the first thing I prayed about, that God would put someone in my life in the next couple of weeks that I can build a relationship with that needs to know Christ. I think we need to keep building on our faith, learning and growing but I think those of us who have been on missions trip know that while we are serving we have grown the most in our walk and that Christ was really teaching us. We can have that here everyday if we open ourselves up and ask God to show us right here who needs to be served. Sorry to leave such a long comment on your blog. Love Ya Dee
PS. Thanks for speaking.
loved it jimmy. your blog reminded me so much about discusions we've had in our small groups about how god's world is backwards... the first will be last and the rich will be poor.
i think personally god is having me stop overanalyzing things (worrying) and instead just living without knowing what is going to happen. it's a little bit tough to let go, but it's pretty exciting sometimes to not know the ending. i think the popular cliche would be "let go and let god". ya i know, i hate cliche's too. especially because i don't know how to do that little accident mark above the e.
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