"Home" churches

[praise_yeshua]

..."Church" is a place...

There's your problem right there.

Get a grip. Church is a PLACE and its also "The entire collection of those in Christ Jesus." Don't be obtuse. I firmly believe in the "universal church". 

 

[praise_yeshua]

Yes, I am a member of a local assembly.

Our assembly meets biweekly for formal teaching and sharing of communion. Various members also meet very frequently throughout the week as we serve one another as a part of our shared lives.

The members are all missionaries, and we are all equipped and sent.

We all disciple as an integrated part of our lives and relationships. When appropriate, we have also performed baptisms.

Are you a Branch Davidian? 

LOL...... In thread greenie for that one.

 

[Smellin Coffee]

I don't know what's more amusing: that you think my view of the Church is unique or that you think the Mog had the right to tell others whether they can be a part of the eklessia.

Please, humor us all and explain to us your view of the church.  Also, tell us what your normal "church week" looks like.

My view of the Church? The Church consists off all called-out followers of Jesus and is purposed to be an active witness to the gospel as she seeks, through the everyday actions of her members, to be a royal priesthood fufilling its role as an incarnate means by which God is reconciling all things.

My church week? This question makes no sense with a proper understanding of the church instead of some Gnostic view that would separate the physical life from the spiritual life.

Are you a member of a local NT church?  Does your church have services?  Does your church send out missionaries?  Does your church baptize and disciple?

A church isn't about services: it is about service. It is about community with one another, provoking brethren to love and following Christ. The way rsc2a describes it is the better model for making it happen, though such community can form within and sometimes, despite a traditional format.

LIFE is about serving others. Don't attach THAT to "church". "Church" is a place to gather in worshiping God. The "church" has been made into far too many things it was never formed to be.

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

 

[rsc2a]

..."Church" is a place...

There's your problem right there.

Get a grip. Church is a PLACE and its also "The entire collection of those in Christ Jesus." Don't be obtuse. I firmly believe in the "universal church".

No where in Scripture is the Church referred to as a place.

 

[RAIDER]

Yes, I am a member of a local assembly.

Our assembly meets biweekly for formal teaching and sharing of communion. Various members also meet very frequently throughout the week as we serve one another as a part of our shared lives.

The members are all missionaries, and we are all equipped and sent.

We all disciple as an integrated part of our lives and relationships. When appropriate, we have also performed baptisms.

Where does your local assembly meet?
Do you meet twice weekly or once every two weeks?
How do you "serve one another as part of your shared lives"?
Who does the teaching when you meet?
Does your "church" financially support foreign missionaries?
When you say you perform baptisms "when appropriate" do you mean you are seeing people come to Christ on a regular basis, you are baptizing them, discipling them, and your "church" is expanding?

 

[praise_yeshua]

I don't know what's more amusing: that you think my view of the Church is unique or that you think the Mog had the right to tell others whether they can be a part of the eklessia.

Please, humor us all and explain to us your view of the church.  Also, tell us what your normal "church week" looks like.

My view of the Church? The Church consists off all called-out followers of Jesus and is purposed to be an active witness to the gospel as she seeks, through the everyday actions of her members, to be a royal priesthood fufilling its role as an incarnate means by which God is reconciling all things.

My church week? This question makes no sense with a proper understanding of the church instead of some Gnostic view that would separate the physical life from the spiritual life.

Are you a member of a local NT church?  Does your church have services?  Does your church send out missionaries?  Does your church baptize and disciple?

A church isn't about services: it is about service. It is about community with one another, provoking brethren to love and following Christ. The way rsc2a describes it is the better model for making it happen, though such community can form within and sometimes, despite a traditional format.

LIFE is about serving others. Don't attach THAT to "church". "Church" is a place to gather in worshiping God. The "church" has been made into far too many things it was never formed to be.

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Yeah..... since we KNOW... the entire group is going to be judged based on the "group" efforts. Each person will given an individual account of their own actions. Not the "group".

Its never a question of what should "we" do. Its a question of what "I" should do. Too many people are living through others and too few are asking "what would you have me to do" Lord.

Do you remember who said that?

I'm not against a group effort.... and groups for most anything. However, its never a question of what the group wants. God works through individuals. Sometimes.... and becoming more and more rare...... some individuals get on the same path and can actually work together under the divine direction of the Spirit of God. However..... it still about the individual.

 

[RAIDER]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

 

[praise_yeshua]

..."Church" is a place...

There's your problem right there.

Get a grip. Church is a PLACE and its also "The entire collection of those in Christ Jesus." Don't be obtuse. I firmly believe in the "universal church".

No where in Scripture is the Church referred to as a place.

Why does it have to be in the Scriptures. "Church" has become synonymous with "assembly". Do you not know the English language?

 

[praise_yeshua]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

 

[Smellin Coffee]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

Did Jesus and His disciples "do their thing" amongst only each other or to others outside their circle?

 

[RAIDER]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

If we look at the church after Pentecost what do we find?

 

[Smellin Coffee]

I don't know what's more amusing: that you think my view of the Church is unique or that you think the Mog had the right to tell others whether they can be a part of the eklessia.

Please, humor us all and explain to us your view of the church.  Also, tell us what your normal "church week" looks like.

My view of the Church? The Church consists off all called-out followers of Jesus and is purposed to be an active witness to the gospel as she seeks, through the everyday actions of her members, to be a royal priesthood fufilling its role as an incarnate means by which God is reconciling all things.

My church week? This question makes no sense with a proper understanding of the church instead of some Gnostic view that would separate the physical life from the spiritual life.

Are you a member of a local NT church?  Does your church have services?  Does your church send out missionaries?  Does your church baptize and disciple?

A church isn't about services: it is about service. It is about community with one another, provoking brethren to love and following Christ. The way rsc2a describes it is the better model for making it happen, though such community can form within and sometimes, despite a traditional format.

LIFE is about serving others. Don't attach THAT to "church". "Church" is a place to gather in worshiping God. The "church" has been made into far too many things it was never formed to be.

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Yeah..... since we KNOW... the entire group is going to be judged based on the "group" efforts. Each person will given an individual account of their own actions. Not the "group".

Its never a question of what should "we" do. Its a question of what "I" should do. Too many people are living through others and too few are asking "what would you have me to do" Lord.

Do you remember who said that?

I'm not against a group effort.... and groups for most anything. However, its never a question of what the group wants. God works through individuals. Sometimes.... and becoming more and more rare...... some individuals get on the same path and can actually work together under the divine direction of the Spirit of God. However..... it still about the individual.

I don't think we are that far apart in our view. My point isn't that the church is the only way we serve but rather gives a community through which we can serve and minister to one another in day-to-day life. The Good Samaritan was by himself but Jesus healed others as a part of a group (and exemplified by the Apostles in Acts).

 

[praise_yeshua]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

If we look at the church after Pentecost what do we find?

I think you find pretty much the same things. Paul did talk of how an individual should take care of their own so the church could focus on the "widow indeed"...... or the ones that didn't have anyone to help them.

 

[RAIDER]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

If we look at the church after Pentecost what do we find?

I think you find pretty much the same things. Paul did talk of how an individual should take care of their own so the church could focus on the "widow indeed"...... or the ones that didn't have anyone to help them.

I agree.  Again, without looking closely it seems to me that the early church took care of their own.  I believe the "widow indeed" group were probably part of the church.

 

[rsc2a]

Yes, I am a member of a local assembly.

Our assembly meets biweekly for formal teaching and sharing of communion. Various members also meet very frequently throughout the week as we serve one another as a part of our shared lives.

The members are all missionaries, and we are all equipped and sent.

We all disciple as an integrated part of our lives and relationships. When appropriate, we have also performed baptisms.

Where does your local assembly meet?

Lots of places.

However, formal teaching generally takes place at my home.

Do you meet twice weekly or once every two weeks?

Biweekly means every other week. And we are constantly meeting each other...it's just more formal every other week.

How do you "serve one another as part of your shared lives"?

Lots of ways. People take others into their homes. Some take others to dinner. Others do mechanical work for the group. Financial assistance is occasionally given. Individuals pray for others in the group....

Who does the teaching when you meet?

Mutiple people but primarily me. We are actively looking for qualified teachers but it is difficult when we are deliberate about how we "recruit".

Does your "church" financially support foreign missionaries?

Occassionally. The daughter of one couple was traveling abroad, and we provided assistance.

When you say you perform baptisms "when appropriate" do you mean you are seeing people come to Christ on a regular basis, you are baptizing them, discipling them, and your "church" is expanding?

First, "church" shouldn't be in quotes. It's insulting.

Second, we baptize when someone chooses to become a follower of Jesus. And our attendance number is growing, albeit very slowly. But, frankly, we don't care. If God chooses to add more members to our assembly, great! If not, we'll strive to be faithful with what we have been given.

We are also very intentional about not inviting folks we know have a current church home. Instead, we are focused on those who do not attend, especially those in our close geographic proximity.

 

[rsc2a]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

Both.

 

[rsc2a]

..."Church" is a place...

There's your problem right there.

Get a grip. Church is a PLACE and its also "The entire collection of those in Christ Jesus." Don't be obtuse. I firmly believe in the "universal church".

No where in Scripture is the Church referred to as a place.

Why does it have to be in the Scriptures.

There you go...

 

[praise_yeshua]

..."Church" is a place...

There's your problem right there.

Get a grip. Church is a PLACE and its also "The entire collection of those in Christ Jesus." Don't be obtuse. I firmly believe in the "universal church".

No where in Scripture is the Church referred to as a place.

Why does it have to be in the Scriptures.

There you go...

So you want to live in the first century and still speak the English language? Are you that dumb?

By the way, while we are on the subject of the "widow indeed".... Paul was certainly talking about the church as a whole but it certainly isn't restricted to the "universal church" He was speaking of the local assemblies that made up the larger universal church. You can't ignore this. Pay attention and you might get something out of 1 Timothy 5:16.

 

[Smellin Coffee]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

If we look at the church after Pentecost what do we find?

I think you find pretty much the same things. Paul did talk of how an individual should take care of their own so the church could focus on the "widow indeed"...... or the ones that didn't have anyone to help them.

I agree.  Again, without looking closely it seems to me that the early church took care of their own.  I believe the "widow indeed" group were probably part of the church.

I don't recall anyone arguing otherwise. The church DID take care of their own (done better in the home church setting, IMHO) but they also helped take care of others.

 

[praise_yeshua]

"LIFE is about serving others." No doubt. But the church puts that commission in the context of community and not solely an individual effort.

Just a thought that I have not researched - Is the NT church commanded to take care of and serve people in the community, or is the NT church commanded to care for its own?  I realize we are to take the Gospel to the lost, but is the church commanded to take care of and serve them?

The church should FIRST help its own..... but it should never STOP there.

DO you remember the words "who is my brother"?

Do you remember the words "how dwelleth the love of God in you"?

If we look at the church after Pentecost what do we find?

I think you find pretty much the same things. Paul did talk of how an individual should take care of their own so the church could focus on the "widow indeed"...... or the ones that didn't have anyone to help them.

I agree.  Again, without looking closely it seems to me that the early church took care of their own.  I believe the "widow indeed" group were probably part of the church.

Might have been but I doubt the local assembly would have refused to help a "widow indeed" regardless of her position toward Christ. At the least..... they would have helped as they had ability and until she refused their efforts.