Some Things I Believe In

As most of you who read my blog on a regular basis know, during the past couple of years I have been personally challenged in my theology of church. Many of the things that were once very important to me no longer have great significance in my practice of ministry. This is not to say those things are wrong, or should never be considered significant for anyone else. It just means I believe God has called me to something different. Something simple. Something that appears very “stripped down” compared to my former church work and experiences. Again, I am not bashing or putting down those former things. I have refrained from writing about these things for a long time because I have had a tendency to come across very strong about such matters. But if you could see my heart today you would know that I love ANY and ALL forms of ministry that point people to Jesus. If it points people to Jesus, and not to us, or to the form, or whatever… just to Jesus… then it’s okay in my book.

Now, having said that. Here are some things that I believe regarding church and how we ultimately end up with a “form” for what our church “looks like” in the community in which we live:
· I believe Jesus desires relationships with his children first… before anything else, relationship first. When relationship comes, then comes worship and devotion, Bible study, etc.
· I believe relationships do not require much formal space, training, teaching, buildings, etc. Relationships simply require time, conversations, and ultimately love.
· I believe that when all of the church is boiled down to the simplest factor, it ends up being me having a relationship with Jesus, and me having relationships with others… so that they, too, might meet Jesus through me. That’s being the church.
· I believe it is more important to “be” the church than it is to “go” to church, “get involved” in a church, “attend” a church, etc. I believe this because as I examine the Gospels and the life and teachings of Jesus I find that he gives very little instruction about church forms, and what the church should look like, its’ leadership, it’s programs, etc. However (and this will sound like a contradiction), he actually does give us plenty of instruction through his example of what the church should be, look like, etc. He and his disciples were the perfect example of church life. Always on the move, always doing good, reaching out, healing, giving, teaching, loving, etc. They did this without any of the formalities we have today.
· I believe that Jesus cares little about our forms, and a whole lot about us.
· I believe that God honors many different forms of church today. We live in a variety of cultures and settings that are very different from Jesus’ day, and therefore the church should look different… but it’s actions, it’s heart, it’s ministry should be the same as His.
· I believe the church is the body of Christ, a community, and should look and function very much like a good family.
· I believe it is easy to live and function like a good family when the church gathers in simple settings, such as homes, or in coffee shops, or parks, etc.
· I believe God honors and enjoys our gatherings for worship, whether they are small or large.
· I believe that when it comes to church forms, what works for one town or city will most likely not work for another town or city. Every city has its’ own personality, its’ own culture. And it takes time to discern what that is, and more importantly, to become what that is. Only then will you be ready to gather people into a “form” of church.
· I believe the reason we have the church is because of relationships, not vice versa. The church did not come first, relationships did. This is a very important thing to remember in evangelism… a very important thing to remember when considering our motives for worship gatherings, outreach programs, etc.
· I believe the Gospel does not exist for the church, but the church exists for the Gospel. We ought not view the Gospel through the lens of the church and culture… but rather, view the church and culture through the lens of the Gospel. Only then will our perspective be right for who we are and what we are doing in the world.
· I believe the church is a community of people on a mission. Jesus demonstrated and proclaimed to us the best example of our mission… (1) To seek and save that which is lost; and (2) Not to be served, but to serve.
· I believe God is constantly at work in the world… and as long as I am giving my heart, my love, my devotion to Him first… I will be in His will for my life. His will for me is that I believe in Him and love Him. From that point everything else will fall into place (John 6:29; Matthew 22:37).
· I believe that the Gospel story (the big picture of God and His people) is the most important thing for a person to hear and learn… not all of the peripheral issues the church has added to the gospel story throughout the years of its’ history.
· I believe that a person can focus so much on the peripherals of Christianity that they completely miss the point (John 5:39-40). It happened when Jesus was on the earth, and it happens today… people educated beyond their intelligence.
· I believe that knowing God has nothing to do with how much you understand or can figure out, but everything to do with how much you love. The Bible says, “God is love”… therefore this idea makes perfect sense.
· I believe Jesus loves the church in the same way I love my wife… therefore I should watch my mouth when speaking about it. We have always heard Paul’s command to love our wives in the same way Jesus loves the church. It’s a great comparison when speaking in the context of husbands and wives. But think about that statement in the context of the church. Jesus views the church like His wife. Who are we to smear her name through the mud and bad-mouth her? This is a great lesson I am still learning.

There are many things I am learning and developing as I do my best to walk in the light of Jesus’ love and grace. I prefer not to call it a theology, although that is what it is. I just know that it is constantly changing, constantly moving. It’s a “liquid theology” if you will. It doesn’t mean it is wishy-washy… it just means I don’t have a corner on understanding and enlightenment. And according to the apostle Paul we will never have a corner on them until we leave this imperfect and cursed world (1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

Your thoughts?

Comments

[Amy]

That's some good stuff, Stew.

[Des]

I agree with Amy. As you know, God has dealt with me regarding many of the same issues that you mentioned. The good news is, once you allow Christ to "set you free" you ARE free indeed. Just like the word says.

Then once you get this revelation, it's like WOW!!!! I never realized how cool it is to serve God, and just love Him, and love other people. It really doesn't have to be complicated. I really am the Church wherever I go. As you stated, and I concur, I am not putting anyone down, who believes that Church has to be in a certain form, or done a certain way. I don't ever want to put anyone down. As long as their form of worship is drawing people to Christ, and helping them to have a real and honest relationship with Him, then praise God. We don't all have to like the same styles of worship. But we all need to agree that the MAIN THING is still the MAIN THING. JESUS IS LORD... And the Bible is the Divine WORD OF GOD...

[shok]

good stuff stewie ... sounds good my friend