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An Interactive Church

2/22/2011

5 Comments

 
Picture
Let's imagine we're going to the movies or a concert. What usually takes place? We drive to a particular location, pay to get in, find our seats, perhaps say hello to those around us, then, we'll watch the visuals or listen to the performance. Afterward, we'll head for the exit and go home. 

Is that an accurate summary - minus the popcorn? That's what is expected for those kinds of activities, right? We're supposed to be quiet spectators.

Now, let's take a look at our church experience. Notice any similarities? Is it so similar, that one could conclude that, in practice, church appears to be something we observe?

Over the years, I've found that most of us do what we've been taught to do - especially when it comes to church. We've been taught that church is a weekly event centered around listening to a pastor. Outside of singing a few songs, there's very little participation.

Now contrast this experience with how the Bible describes the gathering of the church:

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(1 Corinthians 14:26)

Is that verse way different then what you're used to? Let me put it this way: If you're a mature saint of God, when was the last time you taught, spoke in tongues or interpreted? Shared a word of wisdom with the church lately?

Look at Paul's words again. How many people should participate? A few or every one? Does Paul describe a spectator church or a participatory church?

Since the church is the body of Christ, let's consider our own bodies for a moment. We have eyes, ears, hands, legs, feet, etc., Do we enjoy having all of our members? Do we like using all of our members? I'll bet we do.

Is it possible that Jesus Christ – as head of his body, the church – likes to have and wants to use all of his members too? I think so. Not only does he want to use each of us, he has gifted each of us to edify (instruct, benefit, uplift) each other. The whole church is to minister to itself.

We've been taught for generations to sit and listen to a singular person preach week after week. But according to the scriptures, all of us should be participating in each other's growth, encouraging and edifying one another.

Unfortunately, the church has become more like a program to watch. Many great teachers have been sidelined by denominational rules. Hundreds of prophets have never been encouraged to speak out what they hear from God. Exhorters have been silenced because they "didn't go to Bible school," and the Holy Ghost has been barred from entrance so there won't be any tongues and therefore no interpretation of tongues.

May I be so bold as to say that part of the reason why America is in the condition it's in spiritually is because of an atrophied church that's become a collection of spectators listening to sermons, rather than the vibrant, interactive body of Christ? Teachers should teach; Evangelists should preach; Exhorters should exhort; Words of wisdom should flow from the wise, workers of miracles should work, tongues should be spoken and interpreters should interpret!

Does that sound like a foreign language? It shouldn't; it's in the Bible. Have a look for yourself in the book of Acts, Rom. 12, I Cor. 12-14, and Eph. 4.

   “But Pat, participation like that would never work in our church of over 300 people!”

You're probably right. So, what we need to to is repent and return to scriptures. Did you know that churches meeting in houses is spoken of no less than four times in the New Testament? Believers meeting in small groups was the primary way the church came together, and everyone took part under the oversight of multiple elders.

“Fellowship” has a two-part meaning: Partnership and Participation. Every one of us should be actively involved - not passively listening week and week. But we keep doing it because that's what we've been taught...by people who were taught the same thing. Many leaders today were taught that church is something to run rather than a family to be a part of.

The church Jesus came to build is more exciting than a movie, and more instrumental to society than a concert! It's supposed to be the interactive and dynamic body of Christ the gates of hell won't prevail against! More than ever before, we should act like it.

Was this interesting or helpful?  Please "Like" it below and pass it along!
5 Comments
Linda link
2/23/2011 12:29:14 am

Interesting post, Pat. Some very deep thought that will, undoubtedly, go against what many of us know and live. It's not always easy when charged with "truth", yet, when the Bible says it, we need to stand up and take notice. Would you think there is a place for both - with the evangalists teaching the larger groups and yet an assembling of the smaller as well? Would some consider that is what their churches do when they divide out Sunday School and Church Worship?

Still, if we are truly to live as members of one body, it takes more than a meal on Sunday to keep us alive. I agree with you that there is a need for interaction and believe it needs to take place regularly as we are lead.

As always, your post is a great reminder and wake-up call...

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Christina
2/23/2011 05:19:16 am

I sing at a church on Sunday mornings where it's mostly the traditional "observation" format, with participatory music worship. What I consider my real church, is a group that meets in my home on Wednesday nights. Nobody is in charge, and we don't follow a format. But for over 5 years now, we have met & grown. That "hath-a" verse you quoted is key for us. Everyone is expected to participate. Our focus as a group is Jesus Christ, and encouraging each "member" of the group in their own relationship, giftings, and ministry to Him. We hold each other accountable, search scriptures together, socialize, laugh & cry together, and even hang out aside from our church night. It's not always comfortable, but it's church.

It now feels almost artificial to attend on Sunday mornings. Something is out of balance. The pastors are good-hearted but overburdened, begging people to assist with "God's vision for this church," trying to find ways to increase attendance. I look around and mourn all the wisdom & edification I must be missing from the people in the "audience." God is definitely working in that place on Sunday mornings, but it seems incomplete to me now.

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Benoit Couture link
2/23/2011 09:13:47 am

The way the question reads, neither, as we ARE the Church.

Ex 3,13-15
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

The old man lives on by operating from DOING so as to HAVE enough to eventually BECOME someone.

The new man lives on beginning with the gift of BEING from the Great I AM, so that we discover what we each HAVE in order to answer each one's own personal calling.

Simply:

The old man's nature = To do - to have - to be

The new man's nature = To Be - To Have To Do

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babu
2/25/2011 02:00:01 pm

i am running some house churches and cell churches in my area. for several years i am in this ministry.
seeking more directions............guidance if u have time any one contact me .

my email: [email protected]

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Pat Sipperly link
2/25/2011 08:11:08 pm

Linda, I agree with you that this type of church interaction isn't typical here in America, though more are opening up to it.

As far as separating dividing into Sunday School groups and worship, etc., I'm one who is open to all kinds of possibilities, so long as we are following the scriptures and endeavoring to fulfill them. Can we look at 1 Cor. 14:26 and say we're functioning as a body like that? That's for each person and church to decide.

Your other point was so right on: it takes more than a meal on Sundays to keep us alive. Great Reminder! Personal daily worship, prayer, time in the scriptures is so vital, and can prepare us all for that time when the church comes together!

Thank you so much for those thoughts!

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