Our Sunday gathering doesn't meet today. And, that's a welcome reality for Evie and me. Last week was a long one for both of us. Both of us had tough weeks on our jobs and busy weeks of what people, at least used to call, "living missionally," especially for Evie. But, I was doing physical labor until nearly ten last night and until after ten the night before.
Paul cautioned the Galatians not to become weary in doing good and, sometimes, the best remedy for that weariness is to do nothing. And, something pretty close to nothing is the plan today.
-----------------
But, for the moment, a brief partial explanation of my posts on the gatherings I participate in:
Recently I recorded, on the blog, my understanding of my calling which involves both uprooting and tearing down, destroying and overthrowing and building and planting.
Over the time I have embraced my calling to be a prophet, even many who are sensitive to what I have to say have expressed the wish that I wouldn't always be so negative. My reply to them is that I don't come up with this stuff on my own but I merely attempt to put into words what the Lord says to me. And, that was and is the truth. And, I make no apologies as long as I am faithful in my struggle not to allow me, in my flesh-my sinful nature-to shine through in what I say and do. My flesh almost always attempts to take control.
Nevertheless, I myself also yearned for a more positive way to frame the message that is laid on my heart. So, the time came that I expressed that to the Lord in moments of meditation and prayer. And, it was from those moments that I began to feel led to journal my own life in community.
The posts on the gatherings I participate in give me the opportunity to reflect on how I, as Paul admonishes the Philippians, "continue to work out (my) salvation with fear and trembling," even though there is also great joy and peace in the tremors.
Interestingly, as a general rule, the gathering posts are among the most read of my posts, though they are rarely commented upon.
And, my sense is that, for some who read my blog, they are far more convicting than my rants against the hypocrisy/talkism of church leadership and the foolishness of institutional ways.
There is, indeed, a way to live in community with other Jesus followers that doesn't involve budgets and salaries and the majority of attenders being consumers of religious products and services and, with very little support or encouragement, and with some rather focused institutional opposition, we seek to walk in that way.
Hence, these posts which journal my journey. Blessings to all of you who keep tabs on the journey by reading these posts.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Gathering 5-28-15
What we actually do in our gatherings is so different from what is expected of a so-called worship service and we have been doing it for a long enough period of time that I am convinced that I don't really appreciate it for what it is.
The novelty has passed.
One other thing that has passed is the purely theoretical feel that it had for me as I attempted to bring to life, in my time and place, New Testament practices, folding together indications of primitive Christian practice from Acts 20, I Corinthians 11-14 and Hebrews 10.
There is a lot of real life in what we do these days. There is no longer theory. These days, our practice is rooted in theological conviction and shared journey.
And, in the three gatherings so far that take place out of what once was the Seeker-Sensitive, traditional, pastor-oriented, Christendom-rooted church known as Faith Community Church of God, each has its own unique feel.
In the Thursday gathering, what remains most prominently out of the theory that launched our repentance of Christendom Christianity comes, first, from Hebrews 10 and, second, from 1 Corinthians 11.
This gathering is extremely relaxed, yet its focus is intensely on the life of righteousness each participant lives out during the time we are not together. And it is focused on the Gospel. One other characteristic of this group is that it is the one with the least human leadership. We are all brother and sister priests struggling to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Last night, there was a vivid time of focus on the Gospel through the taking of the Lord's Supper. Atypically, I "led" it but, as is typical, the event was interactive. Because this group meets late in the day during a week day, the Lord's Supper, understood to be the most important part of the gathering, is taken first and as part of the meal. This is significant, I think, because that intense focus on the Gospel sets the tone for the rest of the gathering--not a bad thing!
The remainder of the night last night dealt with spurring each other on to lives of love and good works, touching base on what we are doing and talking, constructively, about the other gatherings in our ministry. It had an unfocused feel for me but I could see that the rest of the group was fully on board and were, indeed, spurred.
A good thing.
The journey continues.
The novelty has passed.
One other thing that has passed is the purely theoretical feel that it had for me as I attempted to bring to life, in my time and place, New Testament practices, folding together indications of primitive Christian practice from Acts 20, I Corinthians 11-14 and Hebrews 10.
There is a lot of real life in what we do these days. There is no longer theory. These days, our practice is rooted in theological conviction and shared journey.
And, in the three gatherings so far that take place out of what once was the Seeker-Sensitive, traditional, pastor-oriented, Christendom-rooted church known as Faith Community Church of God, each has its own unique feel.
In the Thursday gathering, what remains most prominently out of the theory that launched our repentance of Christendom Christianity comes, first, from Hebrews 10 and, second, from 1 Corinthians 11.
This gathering is extremely relaxed, yet its focus is intensely on the life of righteousness each participant lives out during the time we are not together. And it is focused on the Gospel. One other characteristic of this group is that it is the one with the least human leadership. We are all brother and sister priests struggling to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Last night, there was a vivid time of focus on the Gospel through the taking of the Lord's Supper. Atypically, I "led" it but, as is typical, the event was interactive. Because this group meets late in the day during a week day, the Lord's Supper, understood to be the most important part of the gathering, is taken first and as part of the meal. This is significant, I think, because that intense focus on the Gospel sets the tone for the rest of the gathering--not a bad thing!
The remainder of the night last night dealt with spurring each other on to lives of love and good works, touching base on what we are doing and talking, constructively, about the other gatherings in our ministry. It had an unfocused feel for me but I could see that the rest of the group was fully on board and were, indeed, spurred.
A good thing.
The journey continues.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
"Kevin,..."
Gang,
Attached below is a copy of the note I sent to Kevin Richardson, Executive Director of the Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God, General Conference on the day after he sent me the list of the seven causes for the ERC Standing Committee's action to recommend that I be defrocked.
Read it over. If God is willing, I will make comments at a later time. And, if God is willing, I will respond, in time, to each of the charges leveled against me.
For now, let me contribute this: I am intrigued by Kevin's choice of the verb "discussed" that I quote in my note and, along with that, the fact that it took him six days to reply to my request for the cause of the Ad Council's action.
One other note: Kevin has not yet responded to the note copied below, which I sent four weeks ago today. Therefore, this is the end of the conversation to this point.
Blessings and love to you all,
bill
----------------------------------------
Attached below is a copy of the note I sent to Kevin Richardson, Executive Director of the Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God, General Conference on the day after he sent me the list of the seven causes for the ERC Standing Committee's action to recommend that I be defrocked.
Read it over. If God is willing, I will make comments at a later time. And, if God is willing, I will respond, in time, to each of the charges leveled against me.
For now, let me contribute this: I am intrigued by Kevin's choice of the verb "discussed" that I quote in my note and, along with that, the fact that it took him six days to reply to my request for the cause of the Ad Council's action.
One other note: Kevin has not yet responded to the note copied below, which I sent four weeks ago today. Therefore, this is the end of the conversation to this point.
Blessings and love to you all,
bill
----------------------------------------
Kevin,
Thank you for sending me the list "causes as discussed by the Standing Committee."
I must say that, in my opinion, in several instances, they misrepresent the truth as I understand it and that they also indicate interpretations of Scripture with which I disagree and which, more to the point, have no authority whatsoever in teachings and practices embraced in We Believe or in any other authoritative CGGC document. Because our polity is presbyterial, even you, the Standing Committee and the Administrative Council are bound to submit to the authority of those documents.
I am deeply grieved that you passed judgment on me without engaging me in conversation before you took these actions. I wish you had allowed me to defend myself and to explain my personal beliefs and actions according to our teachings and practices and polity before you led actions that, inevitably, will lead to further grief for all parties involved.
Because I was not approached and given opportunity to explain and defend myself--or even to repent of what you see as my sins--the actions of the Standing Committee and the Administrative Council, in themselves, seem to me to be disobedient to the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus and His early followers.
Oh, if you had only offered me the opportunity to repent! How could you not have done that!
I must to admit that I am confused because it seems to me that some of the biblical causes for the action taken against me by the Standing Committee actually condemn the Standing Committee and the Administrative Council which unanimously accepted its recommendation.
Because these actions have already been taken, I can only note that, as I recall the ordination vows I took many years ago, I vowed to surrender my ordination if the Conference called for it. To this point, the Conference has not taken that action.
I hope you understand how significant and life-altering the action taken by you, the Standing Committee and the Administrative Council is for me and for my family as well as for the Churches of God congregation with which I gather.
Sadly, it seems to me that, based on what I see as the Standing Committee's and Administrative Council's unbiblical attacks on my integrity and ministry, it appears now to be too late to have conversation about these matters. Rest assured, however, that I believe it is necessary for me to defend myself and my ministry by all the means that remain available to me.
I am more deeply grieved than I can tell you that I have been put in the position I am in. It is my hope that God's Kingdom will not be damaged as we resolve this difference. In fact, it is my hope that, by His miraculous and gracious power, He will use our differences to advance His Kingdom when all is said and done. I hope that the Conference and you will act in the future with the same goal in mind.
I continue to pray for Ruth and for you.
Blessings,
bill
Gathering 5-27-15
We never had children so I don't know what it's like to have a love for each child that is unique to each child and is special and strong but to have no favorites among your children.
We now gather with three groups of people and we have a sort of parental relationship with each of them. Each gathering was formed out of different circumstances. To use the paradigm of Jim Moss, Sr., each group has a unique "personality."
The third of the groups to form met last night. The group is really in its fetus stage. We don't know what it will become because, honestly, at this point, we don't know what it is. Having said that, last night's gathering was special and sweet. Perhaps more so than any I have ever participated in.
I had the sense of being Paul in a new mission field at an early meeting of people who had just begun to embrace the gospel.
This small, but expanding, group is made up entirely of people we work with who have been attracted to our brand of piety as it is lived out by us on our jobs and have consented to come together with strangers to be spurred on to love and good works --much in the way Paul planted the gospel from town to town as a tentmaker.
The most special aspect of the gathering last night is that the kid who is living in our home and is working as an intern for Evie's employer joined us for our meal and then remained with us to take the bread and the cup after a long and arduous warning against taking unworthily.
He is your typical millennial. He was raised Catholic but hasn't gone to a Catholic church for years. He is untouched by institutional religion and uninspired by church but, based on what we saw last night, very interested in Jesus and in the gospel that proclaims Him as Lord.
More than our two other gatherings, to this point, this gathering centers on the gospel and the taking of the bread and cup in remembrance of His life, death and resurrection and in honor of the life He commands disciples to live.
What a blessing! We are blessed.
We now gather with three groups of people and we have a sort of parental relationship with each of them. Each gathering was formed out of different circumstances. To use the paradigm of Jim Moss, Sr., each group has a unique "personality."
The third of the groups to form met last night. The group is really in its fetus stage. We don't know what it will become because, honestly, at this point, we don't know what it is. Having said that, last night's gathering was special and sweet. Perhaps more so than any I have ever participated in.
I had the sense of being Paul in a new mission field at an early meeting of people who had just begun to embrace the gospel.
This small, but expanding, group is made up entirely of people we work with who have been attracted to our brand of piety as it is lived out by us on our jobs and have consented to come together with strangers to be spurred on to love and good works --much in the way Paul planted the gospel from town to town as a tentmaker.
The most special aspect of the gathering last night is that the kid who is living in our home and is working as an intern for Evie's employer joined us for our meal and then remained with us to take the bread and the cup after a long and arduous warning against taking unworthily.
He is your typical millennial. He was raised Catholic but hasn't gone to a Catholic church for years. He is untouched by institutional religion and uninspired by church but, based on what we saw last night, very interested in Jesus and in the gospel that proclaims Him as Lord.
More than our two other gatherings, to this point, this gathering centers on the gospel and the taking of the bread and cup in remembrance of His life, death and resurrection and in honor of the life He commands disciples to live.
What a blessing! We are blessed.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Gathering 5-24-15
This one was unusual, and an unexpected blessing.
The gathering culture here is very different from any group I've ever been a part of that meets for a worship service. When you have a worship service, generally speaking, attendance of the service is a, perhaps even THE, central act of a disciple's life. But, that is not the case in our group.
In our group, a life of love rooted in denial of self is central and the gathering, as I say ad nauseam, serves the purpose of provoking in each participant, a life characterized by love and good works.
So, the focus is on the lifestyle of the disciple, not on his/her attendance of a worship service.
Because of that, it's not a big deal for many of our people if they miss a gathering.
Today, we experienced fruit of that attitude. We knew that a core family would be away. Another family texted us yesterday saying they would miss. We got a text at two in the morning from a woman who was up at that time sick. And, we still haven't heard from a very dependable guy, who picks up three least of these older people from a local assisted living facility.
When they didn't arrive we texted him and got no reply. We called the home and found that our friends were still waiting for a ride. So, I jumped in the Buick and drove. The whole gathering was Evie, those three and me.
And, what a blessing!
There definitely is a blessing when you, in His Name, provide sacrificial care to those would otherwise probably not be cared for. Such is the case for each of these people, all of whom have some sort of intellectual or emotional handicap.
Evelyn and I had one of the sweetest times of fellowship we have ever had.
This was one of those days when using the lyrics of our songs was an effective teaching tool. These three normally sit quietly and listen while the Word is being spoken and discussed in the gathering. Today, the truth was focused on their lives and struggles and they participated openly and comfortably.
The taking of the bread and cup was a simple act, based on Mark's account of the Passover meal Jesus shared with the Twelve.
The meal was simple and, as always, greatly appreciated by these people who don't eat home, lovingly prepared meals very often.
Today's gathering was an unexpectedly sweet blessing. I wouldn't trade it for any megachurch service.
The gathering culture here is very different from any group I've ever been a part of that meets for a worship service. When you have a worship service, generally speaking, attendance of the service is a, perhaps even THE, central act of a disciple's life. But, that is not the case in our group.
In our group, a life of love rooted in denial of self is central and the gathering, as I say ad nauseam, serves the purpose of provoking in each participant, a life characterized by love and good works.
So, the focus is on the lifestyle of the disciple, not on his/her attendance of a worship service.
Because of that, it's not a big deal for many of our people if they miss a gathering.
Today, we experienced fruit of that attitude. We knew that a core family would be away. Another family texted us yesterday saying they would miss. We got a text at two in the morning from a woman who was up at that time sick. And, we still haven't heard from a very dependable guy, who picks up three least of these older people from a local assisted living facility.
When they didn't arrive we texted him and got no reply. We called the home and found that our friends were still waiting for a ride. So, I jumped in the Buick and drove. The whole gathering was Evie, those three and me.
And, what a blessing!
There definitely is a blessing when you, in His Name, provide sacrificial care to those would otherwise probably not be cared for. Such is the case for each of these people, all of whom have some sort of intellectual or emotional handicap.
Evelyn and I had one of the sweetest times of fellowship we have ever had.
This was one of those days when using the lyrics of our songs was an effective teaching tool. These three normally sit quietly and listen while the Word is being spoken and discussed in the gathering. Today, the truth was focused on their lives and struggles and they participated openly and comfortably.
The taking of the bread and cup was a simple act, based on Mark's account of the Passover meal Jesus shared with the Twelve.
The meal was simple and, as always, greatly appreciated by these people who don't eat home, lovingly prepared meals very often.
Today's gathering was an unexpectedly sweet blessing. I wouldn't trade it for any megachurch service.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Dear Dr. Sloat:
At the April 22, 2015 meeting of the Eastern Regional Conference Administrative Council, the ERC Standing Committee made the recommendation that your ordination be recalled for cause effective immediately. The ERC Administrative Council unanimously approved the recommendation. In accordance with your ordination vows, you are hereby requested to immediately surrender your ordination certificate and pastoral identification card to the Eastern Regional Conference Office, 900 S. Arlington Ave., Suite 120B, Harrisburg, PA 17109.
We are thankful for your years of service in the ERC and are disappointed that such action had to be taken. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Kevin E. Richardson at 717-652-0255.
Respectfully,
John A. Selcher
Secretary
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Gathering 5-17-15
Paul says, somewhere in Romans I think, that we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. And, it seems to me that small gatherings of intensely committed and intimately connected disciples is a very good setting for that rejoicing and mourning to take place.
We are experiencing intense joy as well as intense sorrow in our gathering these days.
One couple is on the journey to becoming first time grandparents and can't wait to join with us to share the latest wonders of their daughter's pregnancy.
However, before they arrived today, one of the brothers arrived and told us that his mother had had a stroke and that his brother who is the POA is forbidding him visits. How sad and tragic.
It occurred to me today that the newness of this gathering has worn off and that what we have is what we will have. And, that what we have--our new normal--is pretty special.
We sort of asked around today and got similar assessments as the gathering was shutting down for the day.
There was little that happened today that is not already par for the course for this group: Some profound conversation regarding doctrine, some reflection on the ease with which we all, it seems, fall back into sin and the continual need to be spurred on to love and good works.
As is often the case, the taking of the bread and cup was poignant and powerful. And, it was interactive, which is almost always an intense blessing.
The meal grooved. I ate too much.
What amazingly sweet fellowship!
We are experiencing intense joy as well as intense sorrow in our gathering these days.
One couple is on the journey to becoming first time grandparents and can't wait to join with us to share the latest wonders of their daughter's pregnancy.
However, before they arrived today, one of the brothers arrived and told us that his mother had had a stroke and that his brother who is the POA is forbidding him visits. How sad and tragic.
It occurred to me today that the newness of this gathering has worn off and that what we have is what we will have. And, that what we have--our new normal--is pretty special.
We sort of asked around today and got similar assessments as the gathering was shutting down for the day.
There was little that happened today that is not already par for the course for this group: Some profound conversation regarding doctrine, some reflection on the ease with which we all, it seems, fall back into sin and the continual need to be spurred on to love and good works.
As is often the case, the taking of the bread and cup was poignant and powerful. And, it was interactive, which is almost always an intense blessing.
The meal grooved. I ate too much.
What amazingly sweet fellowship!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
The Fruit of Shepherd Domination in American Christianity
We must put them in their place, being mutually submissive to all the gifts the Lord gives.
They must repent!
http://news.yahoo.com/study-finds-fewer-christians-more-unaffiliated-us-053705957.html;_ylt=AwrXnCG_6VFVMG4AV0_QtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByYnR1Zmd1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--
They must repent!
http://news.yahoo.com/study-finds-fewer-christians-more-unaffiliated-us-053705957.html;_ylt=AwrXnCG_6VFVMG4AV0_QtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByYnR1Zmd1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Gathering 5-10-15? Noop!
One thing that is misleading about the journal of our gatherings that I include on this blog is your potential inference that participating in gatherings is the core of my life as a Jesus follower.
It is not. Very far from it.
Jesus talked regularly about repentance and righteousness. He spoke so rarely about church that three of the four Gospels don't even mention the word. Further, He didn't form anything close to a church among His disciples during His ministry. And, when He talked about building the church, He wasn't talking about a group of people who met for anything like a so-calle "worship service."
For us, and by us I mean for Evie and me in particular, gathering is one means to the end of living in the world according to the teachings of Jesus and preparing ourselves for the Day when the Son of Man will return in His glory and separate sheep from goats and say to some, many of whom will be surprised to hear Him say it, "Away from me you evildoers."
Gathering, as I said, is only one means toward that end. It certainly is not the most important means toward that end.
Today, we are on vacation. We are staying in a small condo on the bay on the west side of Ocean City, Maryland. And, we will not look for a Sunday Morning show at which we could be consumers of religious products and services.
In fact, I, at least, celebrate the fact that we will probably spend much of the day in isolation from other people, resting our overwrought introverted selves.
I have mentioned several times lately how tired I am. Paul advised the Galatians not to become weary in doing good and, I am weary. It's time to become restored, as Jesus Himself often sought restoration.
A coworker quoted Socrates to me on Friday: "Know thyself."
I learned a long time ago that extroverts rest by being with people. Introverts rest by being away from people.
Living a life that could be understood, in the Christendom way of thinking, of church planters, and attending as many as three gatherings a week in addition to working full time jobs and caring for aged parents who can't remember yesterday is a strain for our-hyper-introverted selves. And, we are thankful for the opportunity to be at a great distance from the rest of the world for just a few days.
So, today will be a day of rest. And, because of that, of no Sunday morning show, not even a gathering.
Ahhhhhh!
To this moment, it hits the spot.
It is not. Very far from it.
Jesus talked regularly about repentance and righteousness. He spoke so rarely about church that three of the four Gospels don't even mention the word. Further, He didn't form anything close to a church among His disciples during His ministry. And, when He talked about building the church, He wasn't talking about a group of people who met for anything like a so-calle "worship service."
For us, and by us I mean for Evie and me in particular, gathering is one means to the end of living in the world according to the teachings of Jesus and preparing ourselves for the Day when the Son of Man will return in His glory and separate sheep from goats and say to some, many of whom will be surprised to hear Him say it, "Away from me you evildoers."
Gathering, as I said, is only one means toward that end. It certainly is not the most important means toward that end.
Today, we are on vacation. We are staying in a small condo on the bay on the west side of Ocean City, Maryland. And, we will not look for a Sunday Morning show at which we could be consumers of religious products and services.
In fact, I, at least, celebrate the fact that we will probably spend much of the day in isolation from other people, resting our overwrought introverted selves.
I have mentioned several times lately how tired I am. Paul advised the Galatians not to become weary in doing good and, I am weary. It's time to become restored, as Jesus Himself often sought restoration.
A coworker quoted Socrates to me on Friday: "Know thyself."
I learned a long time ago that extroverts rest by being with people. Introverts rest by being away from people.
Living a life that could be understood, in the Christendom way of thinking, of church planters, and attending as many as three gatherings a week in addition to working full time jobs and caring for aged parents who can't remember yesterday is a strain for our-hyper-introverted selves. And, we are thankful for the opportunity to be at a great distance from the rest of the world for just a few days.
So, today will be a day of rest. And, because of that, of no Sunday morning show, not even a gathering.
Ahhhhhh!
To this moment, it hits the spot.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Gathering 5-7-15
It's been a looooong few months for Evie and me. We both have demanding jobs. We have opened our home, first to a temporarily homeless unmarried couple with a child and, then, to a temporarily homeless guy who once worked with me and was waiting to move to warmer climes and, for the moment, had no place to stay. And, we're now preparing that space in our home for a college kid we heard of who's doing an internship for Evelyn's employer. Tiring stuff. Much more taxing than that, we are dealing with the declining health of my parents, who are physically strong but increasingly feeble in their minds.
We gathered with the Thursday group yesterday. The plan was to take a large check to cover past due rent and several hundred dollars of gift cards from the Sunday and Thursday gatherings to the young family struggling with the wife's terminal cancer.
As it turns out, she is in the hospital and in extremely grave condition and he is hiding out, not taking even phone calls from anyone. So, we didn't deliver the gifts. Ironically, while we were gathering, the family's landlord called to touch base with the guy in the gathering who is our contact person in this matter. The landlord is now joining us in fighting for them.
Interestingly, he asked if we were from (the area's most mega mega church) and was surprised to hear that we are a small group from two "house churches".
Anyway...
...we were all tired. We did something we sometimes, but rarely, do. We met in a public place, a local restaurant. The gathering was very low key. And, most likely, what we all needed.
None of us felt high enough up on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to spur anyone on to love and good works. It was more on the order of holding each other up. The goal was the same. The ceiling was lower. The intimate fellowship was present.
Saturday, we leave for several days of much needed vacation, hopefully to return refreshed.
We gathered with the Thursday group yesterday. The plan was to take a large check to cover past due rent and several hundred dollars of gift cards from the Sunday and Thursday gatherings to the young family struggling with the wife's terminal cancer.
As it turns out, she is in the hospital and in extremely grave condition and he is hiding out, not taking even phone calls from anyone. So, we didn't deliver the gifts. Ironically, while we were gathering, the family's landlord called to touch base with the guy in the gathering who is our contact person in this matter. The landlord is now joining us in fighting for them.
Interestingly, he asked if we were from (the area's most mega mega church) and was surprised to hear that we are a small group from two "house churches".
Anyway...
...we were all tired. We did something we sometimes, but rarely, do. We met in a public place, a local restaurant. The gathering was very low key. And, most likely, what we all needed.
None of us felt high enough up on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to spur anyone on to love and good works. It was more on the order of holding each other up. The goal was the same. The ceiling was lower. The intimate fellowship was present.
Saturday, we leave for several days of much needed vacation, hopefully to return refreshed.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Gathering 5-3-15
Today's gathering was a first for us. A member of the CGGC clergy attended our gathering.
He contacted me some time ago to ask me if I felt comfortable with the idea that he might come, essentially, to see what we do. I believe he is thinking he might adapt some of what we have attempted in his own ministry.
I was somewhat uncertain about how it would go at first and discussed his request with Evelyn and some of the others in one of our gatherings before I myself felt comfortable. In the end, others were more at ease with the request than even I was and, ultimately, the day turned out to be a good day, at least in the estimation of our people who were present. I hope to receive feedback from my brother in CGGC ministry later on.
As far as the gathering itself is concerned, we did about an average amount of singing. Quite a few people came with something they hoped the gathering would sing. We had a balanced mix of gospel songs and more contemporary music. Once or twice we had a problem finding the best key to sing a cappella. This sort of singing almost always sets a good tone for what follows. There are no worship wars because any and everyone can get his/her own way as much as s/he needs to.
Also, again this time, we spent a lot of time working through the words of the lyrics we sang. The words "ransom" and "redeem" were words we sang and I asked if we knew what we were singing and, really, most people were just singing them mindlessly. We talked about places in the Word where those words appear. In the end, I think there was some understanding of the terms and, hopefully, more importantly, of the gospel that saves those who believe in it.
We had a robust time of giving thanks which lasted a long time.
We also discussed the young family that our Thursday group contributed to. We, of course, take no offering but have some money remaining from the days we did. We agreed to contribute more money to cover rent and to buy gift cards to meet needs for necessities. The people of the Thursday gathering are tasked to deliver these gifts to the family, which lives nearly an hour's drive away.
We also had a robust prayer time, which lasted about a half hour. (I'll be interested in knowing what our visitor thought about it. It's so normal to me but I also know that it is not usual beyond our group.)
Time in the Word centered on John 6:25-59, which was a good lead in to the taking of the bread and cup.
The meal was nice. The visitor, who had been very quiet to that time really relaxed around the table and everyone got to know him and to enjoy his contribution to the gathering.
From beginning to end, the meeting--especially until the last stragglers left--ran about four hours. What a blessing!
He contacted me some time ago to ask me if I felt comfortable with the idea that he might come, essentially, to see what we do. I believe he is thinking he might adapt some of what we have attempted in his own ministry.
I was somewhat uncertain about how it would go at first and discussed his request with Evelyn and some of the others in one of our gatherings before I myself felt comfortable. In the end, others were more at ease with the request than even I was and, ultimately, the day turned out to be a good day, at least in the estimation of our people who were present. I hope to receive feedback from my brother in CGGC ministry later on.
As far as the gathering itself is concerned, we did about an average amount of singing. Quite a few people came with something they hoped the gathering would sing. We had a balanced mix of gospel songs and more contemporary music. Once or twice we had a problem finding the best key to sing a cappella. This sort of singing almost always sets a good tone for what follows. There are no worship wars because any and everyone can get his/her own way as much as s/he needs to.
Also, again this time, we spent a lot of time working through the words of the lyrics we sang. The words "ransom" and "redeem" were words we sang and I asked if we knew what we were singing and, really, most people were just singing them mindlessly. We talked about places in the Word where those words appear. In the end, I think there was some understanding of the terms and, hopefully, more importantly, of the gospel that saves those who believe in it.
We had a robust time of giving thanks which lasted a long time.
We also discussed the young family that our Thursday group contributed to. We, of course, take no offering but have some money remaining from the days we did. We agreed to contribute more money to cover rent and to buy gift cards to meet needs for necessities. The people of the Thursday gathering are tasked to deliver these gifts to the family, which lives nearly an hour's drive away.
We also had a robust prayer time, which lasted about a half hour. (I'll be interested in knowing what our visitor thought about it. It's so normal to me but I also know that it is not usual beyond our group.)
Time in the Word centered on John 6:25-59, which was a good lead in to the taking of the bread and cup.
The meal was nice. The visitor, who had been very quiet to that time really relaxed around the table and everyone got to know him and to enjoy his contribution to the gathering.
From beginning to end, the meeting--especially until the last stragglers left--ran about four hours. What a blessing!
Friday, May 1, 2015
Gathering 4-30-15
The people of our small network of house gatherings have made the decision to focus our way of doing on the teachings of Jesus and the way He and His early followers lived.
That decision is a primary foundation of our identity. Because of the focus on Jesus, specific things we do that are radically at odds with the traditions and practices of declining Western Christianity, don't have a radical feel for us. In fact, I have found that it is only in moments of reflection that I, at least, am even aware of how different we are from others around us who name Jesus as savior.
This week has been a week when the differences have become evident in a specific way as far as one particular practice is concerned.
To be brief: Our understanding of financial stewardship is radically different than it was when we were run of the mill CGGCers.
We find authority in Jesus' affirmation of tithing in Matthew 23. So, speaking only for me and my house, we respect that authority. We also find guidance in Paul describing the gift of giving, in 1 Corinthians 13, in terms of giving all I possess "to the poor."
Quite some time ago, we discontinued the practice of taking an offering on our gatherings. But, we ourselves continue to take the matter of giving very seriously, not to the church, but to the poor.
Yesterday, we became aware of a young couple, we believe to be in their twenties, with two children. The wife, we have been told, is dying of cancer. Her husband is taking a lay off from his job to care for his wife and children and they are facing eviction from the house they are renting.
In our gathering last night, we spent a lot of our time discussing how we can respond to this situation in the most biblical way.
We have money available and, if the story pans out, these people clearly would be counted among Jesus' "least of these".
As I have mentioned in the past, we often struggle with the question of what mercy is. Part of the answer to that question has to do with how you act in very specific ways in particular situations.
We are still working on understanding what, specifically, the Jesus follower would do in this time and place.
-----------------
The last part of the gathering was devoted to conversation about a traumatic event which will impact our group of gatherings as time goes on. More about that, perhaps, later.
That decision is a primary foundation of our identity. Because of the focus on Jesus, specific things we do that are radically at odds with the traditions and practices of declining Western Christianity, don't have a radical feel for us. In fact, I have found that it is only in moments of reflection that I, at least, am even aware of how different we are from others around us who name Jesus as savior.
This week has been a week when the differences have become evident in a specific way as far as one particular practice is concerned.
To be brief: Our understanding of financial stewardship is radically different than it was when we were run of the mill CGGCers.
We find authority in Jesus' affirmation of tithing in Matthew 23. So, speaking only for me and my house, we respect that authority. We also find guidance in Paul describing the gift of giving, in 1 Corinthians 13, in terms of giving all I possess "to the poor."
Quite some time ago, we discontinued the practice of taking an offering on our gatherings. But, we ourselves continue to take the matter of giving very seriously, not to the church, but to the poor.
Yesterday, we became aware of a young couple, we believe to be in their twenties, with two children. The wife, we have been told, is dying of cancer. Her husband is taking a lay off from his job to care for his wife and children and they are facing eviction from the house they are renting.
In our gathering last night, we spent a lot of our time discussing how we can respond to this situation in the most biblical way.
We have money available and, if the story pans out, these people clearly would be counted among Jesus' "least of these".
As I have mentioned in the past, we often struggle with the question of what mercy is. Part of the answer to that question has to do with how you act in very specific ways in particular situations.
We are still working on understanding what, specifically, the Jesus follower would do in this time and place.
-----------------
The last part of the gathering was devoted to conversation about a traumatic event which will impact our group of gatherings as time goes on. More about that, perhaps, later.
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