Last time I gave a possible definition of church. Now to unpack ...
... a group of people who interact together
Jesus gathered people together intentionally. We are made for relationships, with God and with one another. We must recognise the handicap that Western individualism gives us in this respect.
to learn how ...
the church is provisional, non-static, ever renewing, revitalising, anticipating the greater that is to come. This side of eternity it has never arrived.
to echo back to God ...
made in God's image we are to reflect His glory, to follow His ways. This will include worship along with ...
and the wider world ...
drawing others to God as well. Fuzzy boundaries are likely as the group not only points to salvation by its existence, but by what it is and does as well.
... the 'Yes' that He has already spoken to us.
It is all God's initiative. We bring nothing to the party, except that which He has already given us. Joining in, we find ourselves part of God's mission purposes - God reaching into our lives and the lives of others. We thus find we are not only believers but also His executives in a world of need.
Now that is what I call church!
Monday 31 January 2011
Friday 28 January 2011
What is church?
A standing joke of the Church Planting module I did at college was that the tutor always avoided defining for us what 'church' actually is, preferring instead for us to figure it out.
Interestingly at a recent Alpha course evening we did the session on church, and teased out of ourselves what 'church' is. From that discussion the following emerged as a possible definition:
I think there is alot in that statement. Maybe in future posts I will try and un-pack it a bit.
Interestingly at a recent Alpha course evening we did the session on church, and teased out of ourselves what 'church' is. From that discussion the following emerged as a possible definition:
Church is a group of people who interact together to learn how to echo back to God and to the wider the world the 'Yes' that He has already spoken to us.
I think there is alot in that statement. Maybe in future posts I will try and un-pack it a bit.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Small Group Woes
I have been dissatisfied with church small groups for a long time now. My complaint has been that they gravitate too easily to all theory and no practice, i.e. lots of (good) Bible study, but no practical action. Maybe groups in cell churches fare better, but most small groups seem to end up in the same rut as far as I can see.
In such a state, how can small groups effectively perform (or even resource) mission?
The excellent book 'Missional Small Groups' by Scott Boren sums up exactly my feelings on this subject. Boren helpfully distils groups into four categories (or 'stories'):
The book goes on to describe different rhythms that develop a different way of being both as an individual and as a group - a way that is open to God's mission purposes around them.
Small groups - think again!
In such a state, how can small groups effectively perform (or even resource) mission?
The excellent book 'Missional Small Groups' by Scott Boren sums up exactly my feelings on this subject. Boren helpfully distils groups into four categories (or 'stories'):
- The story of Personal Improvement
- The story of Lifestyle Adjustment
- The story of Relational Revision
- The story of Missional Re-creation
The book goes on to describe different rhythms that develop a different way of being both as an individual and as a group - a way that is open to God's mission purposes around them.
Small groups - think again!
Sunday 23 January 2011
A Converting Ordinance?
Wesley once described Holy Communion as a 'converting ordinance', i.e. an event in which people can encounter Christ and make that initial decision to turn and follow Him. Sounds a bit surprising, doesn't it, since we tend to think of Holy Communion as something reserved only for Christians.
We might not necessarily resolve that question here, but the episode in Hezekiah's reign, recorded in 2 Chronicles 30 has some parallels. Hezekiah re-institutes the Passover meal, but not just for the select few. He does it in style.
He extends the invitation far and wide across Israel. Bear in mind the deep split between Judah and Israel at this point - only two chapters earlier they were in military combat against each other.
His call is for people to come back to God - to 'repent and believe' in today's parlance.
People were called to the feast from far off: geographically far off but also spiritually far off. Israelites had accumulated a terrible record regarding staying close to God, so this was much more than just freshening up one's discipleship. Full blown turning of one's life around was going to be necessary for many.
Of course people came with all kinds of impurity and mess in their lives, but Hezekiah trusted in God to do the necessary restoration (see v18-20).
This is a great episode of extending generosity and grace in the context of a serious religious rite. Somehow they managed to do it without de-valuing that rite. Somehow they reached out, providing a space where God could work, calling & restoring people back to Himself.
Some might even say, a converting ordinance?
We might not necessarily resolve that question here, but the episode in Hezekiah's reign, recorded in 2 Chronicles 30 has some parallels. Hezekiah re-institutes the Passover meal, but not just for the select few. He does it in style.
He extends the invitation far and wide across Israel. Bear in mind the deep split between Judah and Israel at this point - only two chapters earlier they were in military combat against each other.
His call is for people to come back to God - to 'repent and believe' in today's parlance.
People were called to the feast from far off: geographically far off but also spiritually far off. Israelites had accumulated a terrible record regarding staying close to God, so this was much more than just freshening up one's discipleship. Full blown turning of one's life around was going to be necessary for many.
Of course people came with all kinds of impurity and mess in their lives, but Hezekiah trusted in God to do the necessary restoration (see v18-20).
This is a great episode of extending generosity and grace in the context of a serious religious rite. Somehow they managed to do it without de-valuing that rite. Somehow they reached out, providing a space where God could work, calling & restoring people back to Himself.
Some might even say, a converting ordinance?
Thursday 20 January 2011
Standing by Our Decisions
Nobody likes to be told they were wrong. We all have to make decisions, from choice of latte through to those that will impact the lives of others. Once the decision is made, we typically try to defend it to the hilt, because admitting we were wrong doesn't come easily to us humans.
So the injunction by the King to his newly appointed judges in 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 is no surprise - 'Judge carefully' - because they don't want to have to discover they were wrong.
Yet there is an interesting slant to his instruction: 'The Lord is with you whenever you give a verdict'. Presumably that means that God somehow goes with the flow even if the verdict is not actually sound?
If so, it surely reminds us that God is a God of grace. He will allow us to make decisions, both good and bad, and allow them to unfold. In other words, He stands by (at least in some way) our decisions.
I guess from that there are two practical applications:
So the injunction by the King to his newly appointed judges in 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 is no surprise - 'Judge carefully' - because they don't want to have to discover they were wrong.
Yet there is an interesting slant to his instruction: 'The Lord is with you whenever you give a verdict'. Presumably that means that God somehow goes with the flow even if the verdict is not actually sound?
If so, it surely reminds us that God is a God of grace. He will allow us to make decisions, both good and bad, and allow them to unfold. In other words, He stands by (at least in some way) our decisions.
I guess from that there are two practical applications:
- If someone else makes a bad decision, we need to work out how to extend grace to them too.
- We need to remember that just because God seems to be going along with our decision, it doesn't necessarily mean it is good! So we need to be open to the prospect that, in time, we may discover we were wrong after all.
Thursday 13 January 2011
When its all sorted, keep seeking God
I had not appreciated until this month how 1 Chronicles is all about King David. Apart from various lists at the beginning, the whole book just covers King David. Saul barely gets a mention, and all the other kings must wait until book II.
The book demonstrates how he is the chosen King, has a consolidated position, everyone behind him, and the promise of an everlasting dynasty. There are a couple of mis-haps mentioned, but its basically all good with King David on the throne.
As ever universal mission purposes reverberate, e.g. 22:5 with the planned Temple being magnificent in the sight of all nations.
Yet despite the impression that Israel had at last 'arrived', and had it 'all sorted', David still gives this advice for the future, recorded in 22:19, "now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God".
Even when everything is fab, hunky-dory, dominoes lined up ... we must go on seeking God. Do not assume you have arrived in this sense, but continue looking for Him.
The book demonstrates how he is the chosen King, has a consolidated position, everyone behind him, and the promise of an everlasting dynasty. There are a couple of mis-haps mentioned, but its basically all good with King David on the throne.
As ever universal mission purposes reverberate, e.g. 22:5 with the planned Temple being magnificent in the sight of all nations.
Yet despite the impression that Israel had at last 'arrived', and had it 'all sorted', David still gives this advice for the future, recorded in 22:19, "now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God".
Even when everything is fab, hunky-dory, dominoes lined up ... we must go on seeking God. Do not assume you have arrived in this sense, but continue looking for Him.
Saturday 8 January 2011
Why so hot under the collar?
Like many I watched the BBC Nativity dramatisation just before Christmas. Of course such a TV programme is always going to provoke a broad range of reactions, but I was surprised to read this article about it in the Daily Express.
The article quotes a Christian leader speaking out against the programme, with the leader vociferously attacking the BBC and it's portrayal of the Christmas story, giving rise to the Express' headline that the series was an insult to the Christian faith.
In my view, the remarks of the person quoted are not well judged or warranted. Of course the drama puts an interpretation on the events, and in places goes beyond the gospel text. That is inevitable for such a programme. I felt the story-writer took an approach that was plausible, and which made the story realistic for the contemporary viewer. For me that is not an insult, but a great opportunity to explore with other viewers the dynamics of the original situation, and thus touch on the big picture of what God was doing.
It is true that members of some other faiths get very upset at the slightest imaginative or supposedly non-orthodox portrayal of their faith stories or characters. Yet as Christians are we to respond likewise?
No, there is no need for that, especially in this case where no offence need be taken. Rather we can engage with such material and discuss with casual viewers in a positive way, which potentially makes the Gospel accessible to those who would otherwise not contemplate the true meaning of the 'greatest story ever told'.
The article quotes a Christian leader speaking out against the programme, with the leader vociferously attacking the BBC and it's portrayal of the Christmas story, giving rise to the Express' headline that the series was an insult to the Christian faith.
In my view, the remarks of the person quoted are not well judged or warranted. Of course the drama puts an interpretation on the events, and in places goes beyond the gospel text. That is inevitable for such a programme. I felt the story-writer took an approach that was plausible, and which made the story realistic for the contemporary viewer. For me that is not an insult, but a great opportunity to explore with other viewers the dynamics of the original situation, and thus touch on the big picture of what God was doing.
It is true that members of some other faiths get very upset at the slightest imaginative or supposedly non-orthodox portrayal of their faith stories or characters. Yet as Christians are we to respond likewise?
No, there is no need for that, especially in this case where no offence need be taken. Rather we can engage with such material and discuss with casual viewers in a positive way, which potentially makes the Gospel accessible to those who would otherwise not contemplate the true meaning of the 'greatest story ever told'.
Friday 7 January 2011
When all else fails, leave it to God
A few days ago I heard an encouraging story from a lady about her health. Just a few years ago her breathing was getting worse and worse. Numerous tests diagnosed a lung problem, and the prognosis was not good. With no cure possible the hospital consultant advised her that she could expect confinement to a wheelchair and constant use of a portable nebuliser.
At this point she concluded that all human options are exhausted, only God can help now. She accepted that she may become wheelchair bound, and left the future in God's hands.
Within months she found her symptoms had gone, her breathing much easier. She visited the hospital consultant who was surprised to find no sign of any problem within the lungs, and no explanation of how this could be so.
Since then she has led an active life with no restrictions, and has been instrumental in church ministry where she lives.
Sometimes we just just have to leave things in God's hands.
At this point she concluded that all human options are exhausted, only God can help now. She accepted that she may become wheelchair bound, and left the future in God's hands.
Within months she found her symptoms had gone, her breathing much easier. She visited the hospital consultant who was surprised to find no sign of any problem within the lungs, and no explanation of how this could be so.
Since then she has led an active life with no restrictions, and has been instrumental in church ministry where she lives.
Sometimes we just just have to leave things in God's hands.
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