I new it was a waste

It was a waste of my time to respond.  I new that would be the response of mr. a.  May God bless his life amd may he learn from others that differ in opinion, may i emphasize opinion.

 
Here is another heretical thought to chew on.  As I was reading through Acts the other day I was struck about how little Paul talked about the church and how much he talked about Jesus.  I was looking for a statement like this: I Paul am embarking on a righteous journey to start churches in Jesus' holy name.  But I did not find that, what i found was Paul relying on the spirit and telling people about jesus, plain and simple.  Once again it seems to be that confusion with the church and kingdom that pulls the church away from a kingdom focus.  I believe the two are not interchangable.  The church is part of the kingdom not vice versa. 

Why do we set out to plant churches, instead of embarking on a mission.  When you become a follower of Christ you enter the Kingdom of God and become a part of His body.  Pretty cool.  Paul seemed to understand that when people lived out a kingdom focused life the church flourished.  I love the emphasis on going and living in acts.  Obviously from the rest of Paul's letters the church had it's issues but there was always the undercurrent of Christ.  Christ being the head and focus, our King to serve.  Anyways i just find it ironic that most "succesful" church plants are 300 people taken from one congregation and plopped in a demographically appeasing place.  That doesn't sound like the way Paul did it.  I don't have a lot of answers but a lot of questions.  It is getting late and i don't feel like proofreading so take it like it is.... this is all of the top of my head thinking out loud.    "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteouness, for they will be filled." Matthew

Dear Mr. Local A

A-man
 
What up?  It's been a long time since I've posted.  I really didn't plan on responding to your comment because I thought it would be a waste of my time.  I will make a deal with you.  I will be willing to carrier on a conversation if you will email me your name.  I will not post it on the web. 
If i am not mistaken this is what you are saying:

Christ died for the church
only the church has the authority to baptize and give communion 
And i don't believe scripture because i don't meet a certain location every week. 
 
I believe that Christ died so we can come into the presence of God and communion with him daily.  Do I need to give scripture references, it is the crisom ribbon that ties the whole bible together.  
 
Here is where especially the western church (sorry dano) gets wrong in my opinion. In the good ole USA the church gets  confused with the Kingdom.  It gives specially credence to the paid staff and the pope better known as the senior pastor.  When you read the gospels compare how much Jesus talked about the kingdom and how much he talked about the church.  Not much of a comparison, the gospel are riddled with stories about the Kingdom, Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom not come join our holy hour on sunday we call church.  Jesus' point is enter into the kingdom, then you are part of his family,better known as the church.
 
This idea that the "church" is the only authority to give communion and baptize I don't understand where you arre coming from.  Maybe if we would pay attention to the past we wouldn't make the same mistakes.  God used Luther to get the bible back into the hands of the people, so they could read it themselves.  I dare say that Mr. A that you are part of a denomination that was spawned by the faith of Mr. Luther.  So let's not put it back on the shelf, let's take him down and see what he was trying to say.  How much of today's church is driven by the Senior Pastor, that charistmatic guy up front?  A majority! Do you see that in the NT?  If so where?  It is obvious Mr. A that we are coming at this from two different perspectives but I truly believe that I am in the church because Christ is the King I serve.  So with that said because of the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in me, I have been given authority to baptize and share communion.

This leads me to my next point. Was the great commission given to the church or to individuals?  My answer i s to individuals.

Not that there is any flow to this but point three.  I've never said that I am forsaking the gathering of Christians to worship and fellowship.  What I am saying is: I am not comfortable with the approach of the majority of churches that surround me. Once again, I believe God is blessing the church where i used to attend and i wish no ill feelings or harm to them because they are my bro's and sis's in Christ.  I believe it to be profitable to gather together, i just don't agree with what is being taught through the structure, budget, and may other issues.  As you can tell i have serious add and the internet is not the best avenue for this type of communication but I want to make one thing clear: I appreciate your concern and take it to heart that Mr. A would care about me.  Let me know who you are and this could get interesting.  just in case you can't find my email here it is uncltimme@hotmail.com

My definition of church or lack thereof

Dear Anonymous

Simple but complex question. I see the church as a living organism that should permeate culture or maybe a like a virus. I don't see it as a static "thing". When most Christian define church they instantly but a name to it which is the building they meet in. Another common questions is: what church do you go to? I don't, I am just part of the church. Make sense?

If you were to view the church as an organic type of thing and try and remove yourself from the static situation most institutional churches find themselves in; how would that change your definition of church?

I guess right now i have more questions than definitions.

Can you imagine yourself not going to "church" but being the church?

I don't know just thinking out loud.

I know one thing that God has been teaching me over the last few weeks is: it is about relationships! I know that my thoughts about the "church" and it's attractional approach consumed me and now that I am free from that I am seeing God more clearer. It is something that is hard to describe it has to be experienced. I am truly experiencing a freedom in Christ that i never knew. I realize that you don't have to go to a Sunday morning service to be a Christian but you do need to be involved in a connected communinty that functions as the church. I have alread been told several times by well intentioned folk (people that i love dearly and believe have my best interests in mind) that i shouldn't wait too long to find a church to go to. What is implied is that if i don't go to sunday church i will fall away but that will not be the case. Anyway i have not at all begin to define church because it is simply complex nor have i thought it out enough to put into a sensible manner. I will keep you posted, by the way feel free to reveal yourself and come into blogdom, it is a friendly and uplifting place. One good thing is that there are no politics or people breathing down your neck and if they do you don't have to respond! HA

The Trinity Explained

(This post has nothing to do with the Trinity, I am just trying to sound smart)

I just started my 3rd week with Tom Howlett Construction. The first week was an overwhelming week with facts, procedures, people, floor plans, policies, politics thrown at me at break neck speed. It was hard to digest. Through out the week though, i never once thought about church, I had no stress! You know the bad stress that makes your stomach hurt, head hurt, and the horrible side effects of frustration which can make your life a living hell.

I am slowly beginning to realize that what I have identified as being a Christian is heavily tied to the "church". What i did on sunday and wednesday was being a christian. It is a very eye opening experience. I guess i am detoxing from the church (i borrowed that from Jason Z at the offramp). I am beginning to see the huge chasm between the world and the church. It is much larger than I ever could have imagnined living in the my Christian bubble. I believe people have made theology the issue in church or right doctrine. In most churches (definetly a sweeping statement)the problem isn't right doctrine or theology it is the practice of it or lack thereof. I am amazed at how going to church has replaced in many cases a relationship with Jesus. Even in the construction field they equate going to church with salvation. Where did it get so messed up? I have a sneeking suspicion, Constatine. But anyway I guess the ball is in my court. Am I going to listen to God or quiver in a safe corner and promote going to church as the only answer? I pray that God gives me the faith and boldness to follow where he is leading. One other thing, i have noticed a marked difference in my prayer life since starting my new career as a ninja. God is good all the time. Yo! Yo!

chat...

Hey...I just sat down to write something deep and profound but my boy is crying. So i will try again tomorrow or Sunday night. If you are a praying person, could you lift up Matt's family, the funeral is Saturday and I am sure they are still in shock and are broken to pieces.