BEING THE CHURCH

Consider this description of the early church from Acts chapter 2:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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We came across an article that a few years ago.  We were glad to find it because it was one of those quick reads that we have never forgotten.  The author talked about the "language of the church."  His point was to reflect on the various "christian languages" he had been taught over the years and how in hindsight they may have been misleading.

We remember that article well because it struck a familiar chord with us.  Growing up in church, many of us learned a few things as well.  While these may not have been literally taught to us, they nonetheless shaped our early church language.

1. be quiet in church
2. sing the awkward hymns and act like you like them
3. treat the pastor like royalty
4. stand and sit at appropriate times - or else
5. always smile
6. always wear the crisp dressy clothes (and uncomfortable shoes) in your closet that you only wear on Sundays

This only names a few.  We remember feeling liberated when we began learning that these things were not God's requirements.  The book of Acts, and the entire New Testament, opened our minds to a freedom in Christ (and freedom in church) that we had never know before.  Jesus himself spent much of his time emphasizing a desire for the real.  Over and over he expressed frustration with the empty motions of religion.  Jesus' life, and the new testament scriptures opened our eyes to a method of church that we had never experienced before.

We support local churches following the Acts 2 model.  Our heart beats faster when we see or experience local churches that represent something real, that represent real community, sharing everyday life together and daily edification.  We love it when gatherings can humbly confess sin to one another, pray together, eat together, and love the lost together.  Our adrenalin rushes when we see local churches trusting God to provide - as opposed to endless fund raising and budget campaigning...  We get excited when churches pray over sick ones for healing, or combine resources to help someone who is struggling...  Or when churches encourage freedom and honesty, instead of fake smiles and handshakes...  When churches allow the Holy Spirit to lead - instead of enforcing rigid liturgies and programs...   We love it when churches allow everyone a voice (or "pulpit") - even at the risk of someone saying something stupid...  And especially when churches evangelize through loving relationships - not programmatic strategies...  And finally, how beautiful it is when churches love and reach the lost - without a need to keep score.

There seems to be a parallel between the religion that frustrated Jesus and much of our church methods today.  I believe we can still find ourselves going through the motions of religion - and somehow remain unphased by the absence of our hearts. 

Here is a link to the article we came across if you're interested.  Enjoy...

http://deepstreampa.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/being-the-church/