What is clear to me is that church cannot be the same. Church has been suppressed by Christendom for too long.
Is it possible to return to a truly biblical/1st century/apostilic experience? Sure, Christians in China are doing it. They are also being killed, but their "church" movement is the closest Christians have gotten to the original.
Since 300AD, we have squeezed the life, and dare I say mission, out of the church. It has been going on so long people hardly notice anymore. I brought this up with Dave yesterday. I told him what was going to be hard about this. We are going to have to do what hasn't been done in 1700 years. It is going to be so unfamiliar, so awkward.
We must rock the systems story, the paradigm, the mode of church. I am giving up on ministries, progams, and theology. I am calling for a holy rebellion. Lets throw aside anything that robs us of a greater experience with God than we now know.
C.S. Lewis said "there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it."
Can we challenge the church that we operate from? Can we challenge the church that gives us legitimacy?
Do I know where this leads? No, not really. I can only say I'm available and ready to engage.
1 comment:
I was reading in Philippians yesterday and was given eyes to see something aside from the stale optimism I usually read that letter. How can someone speak of "abounding love, more knowledge, depth of insight" and be in jail? How can someone write with eloquent genius about the character of Christ and later write about unnecessary complaining and arguing? My present situation strives to cast blame on the current institution and demonize the establishment. But can the purity of vision (of Christ & mission) inspire us to live above finger pointing and thrive in the possibilty of what can be? I believe the dream of this endeavor is exicited, but am fully aware at the gravity of powers that will awaken to fight against us (both from outside and inside our community). While I willingly give up tainted ministries, and impotent programs, I hope that the theology empowers. Rebellion for me is in the purity of intent and character to follow Christ. I too am up for embarking on this tumultuous ride, but I dare not do it alone, and won't subject myself or my family to ethereal visions. We must stive for clarity and constancy.
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