To Keep it Simple or Not?

So, there are a few things from Scripture that exist in this World today. Yet, due to Humanity's abilities to attempt to define good and evil on their own in keeping with the example set by their first father and mother, Adam, and Eve. We find ourselves with some choices in these matters. We have the complex opinions of man, and we have simple truth. I will attempt to lay those out below. 

1. the Church.

Opinion 1: The church, on Sunday Morning is the church, you should attend it. In fact, according to some, your soul is at risk if you don't. So, you go and hear the music, and sing, you listen to the teaching, but then you might pickup the Bible and read it and wonder, where are the gifts, the apostles, the prophets? Why is the pastor teaching instead of pastoring? Well, there is an explanation for that too you see, it's called Cessationism. That is to say, the gifts stopped because the Bible is complete or some such thing. Or, you just become charismatic and do all in your power to bring it all in on Sunday Morning. Perhaps you rename your lead pastor or bishop to apostle? Perhaps you go and ordain someone and call him a prophet? Perhaps you even pray in ways that us mere English speaking mortals cannot understand? Yet in all this, the fundamental root opinion in both camps is, Sunday Morning is the church, and you'd better come. So, we fight for it, we pour blood, sweat, and tears into this so to speak. 

Opinion 2: None of the churches I know are the church. So, you construct the ideal church in your head. You pour through the New Testament, and make a mental checklist of all the ingredients you see in a church. Then you open your home and host people as long as it takes to get it all done. You strive to give time for apostolic workers to come and shake things up, or be sent out. You give time for prophetic words to happen, you bring the gospel to the streets for evangelism. You have a time for teaching, and a time for prayer ministry, pastoral care. You keep going, communion, feet washing, bishops, deacons, etc. You bring it under 1 big umbrella and give it a name. It is now the church, it meets all the criteria, you fought hard to get here, so you'll do whatever it takes to keep it.  

Keeping it Simple: What the New Testament said is what happened. If it says they washed feet, they did, if it says they had communion, they did. If it says they spoke in tongues, they did. The Greek words Paul used for the terms that were translated into words like Bishop are the definitions to go by, not what the catholic church thinks. For leadership definitions click the link. So, to take it literally, and keep it simple. How are you doing? How is your church experience? Is it lacking? Whose fault is that? Yours actually. You don't need other people to come along and make a system for you to get the experience you need. Just have fellowship with God daily, connect with people, attend a church meeting you like, enjoy the teaching, the music, seek God on how to fellowship with others in other ways during the week. It really is that simple. Just own it, and do it. 

2. Church Leadership Problems.

Opinion 1: The church needs to be protected, so we establish layers of bureaucracy and accountability to keep a stable and fluid leadership flow going. We run it like a business. We establish protocols for everything. We need to be efficient. When you get ordained. It's for life, don't leave. Stick it out or you'll be a bit like the scum of the earth. A dangerous heretic. As a leader, you have tremendous power, but, it most be funneled through the proper channels. Don't betray the people who made you a leader.

Opinion 2:  Having a church run like a business is awful. Meet in homes, keep it simple. Who needs to worry about leadership? We are all brothers/sisters in Christ, right? Right!

Opinion 3: I have a vision. I have the direction. The church needs to go with me, I'm going to stick it out and fight for it with all I got! I fought too hard for them to let them just do it how they want and I'm certainly not going to just leave now. 

Keeping it Simple: The people described in the New Testament already exist. Let the Holy Spirit identify them for you as you need them. If you see that you are a leader. Walk in the direction the Lord is leading you, let those follow you who wish too, and let those who don't see it stay put. 

So, in closing, 2 main points. 

1. Are you willing to own it? To individually take responsibility for what is lacking in your relationship with Christ and what is lacking your church experience? Or, do you need a scapegoat? Someone or something to blame? A leader to blame? A church to blame? If you own it, the Lord will help you. I don't know how, but, He will.

2. If you're a leader, are you willing to just simply go and walk. Do you have the courage to walk? Even if it means walking away from people you love? Or walking into pain? Or, do you need to be a puppet master, or a driver, herding the crowd in the direction you want them? If you are willing to just walk and lead those who choose to follow, then God will see after you if you walk after Him, somehow. You follow God, and help those who follow God behind you. You don’t control who does. You just simply walk, and help those also walking behind you.