I don't know what church looks like. I like church. I like it a lot, but it confuses me.
Because it's an organisation and there is such a diversity of possible structures from the current world, sometimes the church follows, sometimes leads.
One meeting per week is the focus. Everything else is a bolt-on. House groups, outreach groups.
Sit and be fed - and oddly many of the sermons are about mobilisation of the church - irony much?
The leaders carry a lot of power. They seem to hold the job of interpreting the bible, Rabbinical style. Certainly they need to teach, but teach what?
Structure Structure can hold back members. Just what structure have we been saved into? Surely you wouldn't hardly know or care? Moreover, what are we trying to save people into? Saved into a culture of meetings and teachings.
InvertionI went to a church meeting today that at once talked about not needing so much teaching to be effective for God but at the same time kept emphasising the benefit of meetings.
He was definitely a good guy but the building, the service and the '
ecclesia' seemed to be pretty much interchangeable in his speech.
The rituals of modern-day Christendom are enshrined in culture, both popular and Christian. Just check the TV if you are not sure of this. Soap-opera Christians and God TV, it's all there.
Who wants this? Very few to if you have ever talked to your friends about church. The cost of following Jesus is heavy to be sure. Is all of this cost of Jesus' doing or our own?
Invert the church.
Meetings
Large meetings are the exception. Smaller the rule.
Geography.
Be anywhere you can but in a church building. If the church is expanded inside-out then even the most down-trodden in the land can be included.
Also it will be bigger than even the largest church building you can try to build...
