I too have experienced "a church" that disappoints. I too have been caught up in religion. I too have pursued leadership positions within "a church." I too have seen others pursue and strive for position. It all leave a bitter taste like that of wormwood. "The Church" I have found is not like the things of the past. It is something new and refreshing. I have found a few men here at work whose lives are being transformed by the Word of God. Fellowship happens because we have something to share with each other. The "substance" of what we share continues to point us towards Christ. We begin to share our hearts, our shortcommings, our needs. We teach each other about the ways the Word of God gives us understanding in the day to day routines that we have. As Brother Ron has pointed out before, the definition of "The Church" can be understood as the "ones that are called out." I have begun to see the works of God in this way. The substance of what we hope for cannot be satisfied by the ways of this world. We leave the things we once hoped for because the substance of what God provides in our daily lives far exceeds anything this world offers. The joy of fellowship with those who have found the path is very satisfying. A group of people that meets once or twice a week at locations which have predeterminded methods of worship and teaching seem strange to me now. Living daily with others who walk this path framed by the Holy Scriptures continues to taste like honey. The truth we learn as we share with each other daily of what is happening in our lives provides the "substance" of what we hope for. The evidence of the work of God in our lives reflects the light that is in us. Have you experienced the work of God that seperates? In ChristJeff
_________________Jeff Marshalek
This has been like this for some 10+ years now with little difficulty, but the circumstances are a bit different because there is no money involved. Ahah! I said it. is that the real issue here?
_________________Jimmy H
The old school pentecostals would 'rev up' a service with high speed songs and such until there was a great excitement.
When I came to Christ in 1991 the trend was towards slower and more solemn songs. I suppose the slower songs are more of the 'atmosphere' ones.
'..is their more light on all this that I may be unaware of?
What theology do I read into this? The meeting will be music-led; the worship will be in the hands of the specialists. The ministry of the saints themselves will have to find its spaces in between the music. The people most equipped to provide this kind of musical lead will be those who have learned their music skills rather than a sensitivity to the moving of the Spirit in the meeting. The meeting passes into the hands of those who are expert at creating atmosphere.
This thread is very interesting.
...when some churches have been built in times past, people just placed things in certain locations because that's how they always saw it done....Our layout was simply designed for what was the most functional.
_________________Mike Compton
a priest may ceremoniously wave a white handkerchief softly over the bread and wine. I asked him if there was some spiritual property to this act. He told me not really...in former times, that was the only way they could keep the flies off the bread.