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The House Church Connection:
The house church movement. Bringing the people back to the house to
where they can find their place in God.
Who we are...
 I like the way Wayne Jacobson defines it: "Body life
is where a local group of people chooses to walk together for a bit of
the journey by cultivating close friendships and learning how to listen
to God together."
Though we certainly are aware of the magnitude of the problems with the
institutional system of church, we are in search of its authentic
experience and expression. Much of our accomplishments are starting from
scratch, propelled by hunger, in search for more. We are more than an
experiment, we are His and He is leading us forward. Often His leading
comes with conflict, but to those who are humble and patient, He comes
with fresh and further revelation of Himself and our part and
participation in Him... the church. We do not cry for more people to
attend, we cry for more of Him to show up and express Himself through
us, to build us and make us one. No, we are not the answer on the earth,
but we press toward the mark, the high calling in Christ Jesus. We look
for the day when we will lay down our independent churches, and for His
one church and for the sake of His glory, we will become one. For now,
we can enjoy our part, but without the whole we are limiting His power.
We pray God will raise up His remnant and they will be a glorious church
without wrinkle and spot.
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"We must have a new reformation. There must come
a violent break with the irresponsible, amusement-mad paganized
pseudo-religion which passes today for the faith of Christ and which
is being spread all over the world by unspiritual men employing
unscriptural methods to achieve their ends."
A.W. Tozer |
An interesting note
about the title "Christian"
It was the unbelievers that first called the
disciples "Christians." What the world saw in those early disciples was
a Christ-like character and power. Would the world today call the
Christians in America "Christians" had the word not already been
established? Would they see us like Jesus in character and power? It
saddens me to hear the world now calling us .. hypocrites! I am afraid
we have a name that we are alive, but dead. Let us examine the reasons
for this falling away.
What you believe,
rules you.
We often read what we already believe, instead
of believing what we read. As we read the scriptures, we see our
particular brand of church or Christianity. This kind of thinking can be
dangerous when God is moving the church into change. With an open mind
we must begin to simply see what God's word has to say about all we are
presently believing..... eternity is hinged on it.
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Read the letter to the seven churches in the book
of Revelation and ask yourself this question, "Where do I fit
in?" Are you hot for Jesus? |
What is your
Paradigm?
Our paradigm, or model as it is often called, is the
American church shrouded in luxury, ease, programs, and entertainment.
For nearly 1900 years the church has been on a downward spiral, with
only patches of truth recovered. Bit by bit we have compromised until we
have what we see today. Tozer once said, "Every time we compromise, we
lose power with God." We are so removed from the New Testament model,
one would think we are living by a different bible than that of the New
Testament church. If you sense that something is wrong and you feel a
hunger for something real, I encourage you to read these articles and
search the links provided. Andy
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