Well, it's been long enough. I have got away from this site for awhile. I am trying to figure out how I can post video blogs on here at times. I'm not even sure if you can. Anyway...
Lately, it seems that God has been revealing to me what He intended the local church body to truly be. Churches today, at least in the U.S., seem to go for comfort, looks, and pleasing anyone who walks through the door. Oh the luxuries of the American Dream grasping a hold of God's churches. They want the comfort of knowing every detail about what is going on, where it is taking place and how long. They seem to have conjured up the idea that spending millions of dollars on a building really matters to God and that if believers do not congregate, worship and fellowship inside this "Base for Christ" then church doesn't truly happen. They seem to think that everyone has to walk away feeling good about what they encountered all within a certain timeframe. Organization and structure are needed to an extent but not to the extent that it seems that fear overrides faith and when such a design hinders getting things accomplished and it holds back open and honest, real and true worship of the One we are claiming to come together for. We seem to have got off course with what the church is intended for. It's not about any of these, nor is it about committees, associations, and denominations. It's not about creating the best programs. It's not doing things on our own time, strength or from our own human ideas.
Here's what church is about:
It's about honest, real prayer. It's about coming together as one body (all ages and races/ethnicities) to worship Christ together out of reverence and love. Where that takes place, doesn't matter. At a home, at a school gymnasium or bank that you are borrowing to meet in, at a local theater, wherever. For when two Christian people come together with pure motives to worship and honor God, Christ is present and therefore you have church. For is our own body not God's Temple? It's about relationships.
Some form of structure is needed but it should not be one of the major focuses. A set format should not interfere with the way the Lord wants to conduct His service or who should contribute for His honor and glory. A leader should be present to keep the focus on Him and for things to run smoothly. After that, though, how worship happens, and for how long should not be planned out. Let God speak. Let God move. I can only imagine what would actually happen if we did not tell God when He had the floor to "do His thing." The God I serve and worship deserves more than what we give on Sunday mornings.
