Ok, I am going to quote a pastor from an institutional church. Right here. On this blog.
So, here goes:
"How did Jesus's message of the gospel: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!' get watered down to 'Come with me, and let's go to church.'? Our meetings our great, but they aren't what it is all about. This is not what Christianity is about. This is not why Jesus died, so that we could all come to church."
Pastor Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding, CA.
Ok, I guess it's not that shocking since he happens to be saying things I obviously already agree with. I believe that Pastor Bill is right and we've confused (or substituted) our church activities for the kingdom of God. But who am I to say that? Preach it, Pastor Bill!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Shocking, I know.
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5 comments:
Sarah,
I think this is awesome.
This type of dialog is one of the reasons I like the church that I have been attending off & on. one week the pastor asked,"what if we sold the building?" .
Now I don't think they are that clo0se to selling the building, but they do actually have outreach that touches some of the community around them.
So, I would say that just because it's institutional doesn't mean it's all bad. I know you don't think that, just stating a fact.
I am still uncertain of where I fit in to all of this, especially with the current state of my own personal life.
But, God is faithful.
Peace
Great post Sarah! Here is the verse that I think about when I think about repentance:
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? - Romans 2:4
Jesus' message has so little to do with church but everything to do with the kingdom.. and a King who is kind, patient and good.
Shaun, great comments. God is at work in institutions because He is alive in His people - and there are lots of His people in institutions. He is fully at work wherever His people are. I just think we sometimes confuse the work of building and maintaining institutions with the work of the kingdom. For me, I've been on a journey of allowing God to expand His kingdom within me and around me. Sometimes, I think institutions can be encumbrances that weigh this task down. (At other times, they can facilitate kingdom growth. But I don't believe, as many do, that they are the only method, nor the most effective).
K-Bob, your pastoral heart is so evident in your comment! :) Yes, Jesus message "Repent" is another one of those things that has been misused by misguided people. If Jesus were talking in our language today, I think it would read, "Change the way you think, turn from your old way of living to a new way to live, for the supernatural world that I represent has just invaded this one. And it is within reach." That is REALLY good news!
Hi Sarah! Lost contact and have found you again, and this seemed like a good post to comment on ;-)
Hi Mark! Sorry about that - I changed URLs a while back and only gave a couple of days warning. So, I guess that's how it happened. Glad to see you here again! :)
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