As I have been considering church planting, I have been studying the book of Acts and the common practices of the early church, trying to figure out what God expects of us as we try to further His kingdom.
Buildings. Perhaps most obviously, the early church was not confined to a church building with steeple and pews. No building campaigns, mortgages, custodians, and carpet discussions. Now don’t get me wrong, as a property manager by trade, I realize the incredible gain of having a building that fits the ministry needs of a church organization.
What I am trying to point out here is the need to take the church to the streets. If we feel confined to our buildings, we will forget that the people are not just going to come to us. We are called to take the gospel message to the people.
Large Gatherings. Because these churches met in homes, they could only grow so large. Imagine the experience of a few families sharing their lives together, as opposed to hundreds, even thousands, who don’t even recognize others who attend the same church.
I do not see anything majorly wrong with the mega church movement in America today. These churches have resources us small church pastors can only dream of. But I like the idea of seeing a church plant churches when it grows to a particular size. I personally would rather see ten churches of 100 over a single congregation of 1000, because this way I as a Pastor can have a more intimate relationship with my congregation. This also encourages a leadership development model so that leaders can be sent out when the congregation becomes pregnant with a potential church plant.
Membership. All followers of Christ are members of the same Body. Beyond that, no “church membership” is distinctly defined in Scripture. I see it be common for churches today to push membership in a way that feels more like trying to sign people up to a religious club in a way that discourages relationship.
Sermons. Read every description of the church’s gathering, and you’ll find no mention of a sermon. Teaching, perhaps. But no sermon. Preaching of the gospel took place outside the church gathering. Teaching of the Word occurred within.
I know this may seem like a funny thing for a preacher to be writing about, and I do want to point out that I see an incredible value in the tradition today.
Worship Sets. In fact, shock of all shockers, you will find no worship leader, no worship team, and no rehearsals.
Certainly there was lots of music and singing, and this is something of incredible value in helping people worship God. I think the take away from this observation is only that we may be missing the point when we get religious about our musical traditions in the church service.
Offertories. No shiny offering plates passed by ushers while pretty music is played. People just gave what God put on their hearts, and most gave, with out being asked, all that they had to give. Even their freedom and lives.
Now, do we scratch it because it’s not in the Bible? Not necessarily.
But we do acknowledge that these are not things the Bible prescribes, suggests, or models. How easy it is to equate our experience or tradition with the Bible’s instruction!
And while these things may or may not be helpful to the practice of our church gathering, they are certainly unhelpful if we can’t let them go.
Once again, it all comes back to “why.” Why do we do the things we do?
If it’s because the Bible says so, we’re always on good ground.
If it’s because it’s the way we’ve always done it, that’s no good reason at all.
But if we recognize that these are man-made ideas which may {or may not} help us to accomplish God-given instruction well, then that’s something to consider.
And to keep considering. And questioning. And evaluating.
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