As I continue to read and study, I have come to the conclusion that we are on the right track with The Journey when it comes to participatory gathering times.  As one reads through the New Testament, you can begin to notice a pattern.  God has knocked down walls that have stood in the way of a group of people finding equality with each other as they seek Him.  In Galatians, Paul writes that in Jesus there is no Jew or Gentile, there is no difference before God between male and female or even in regards to social standings, slave or free.1   Jesus has taken away those barriers that are present in the world and brought us together as a body where no one member is more valuable than another.

One of the challenging thoughts I have been having lately is the whole clerical system that has been set up.  The more I study the New Testament, the more that I observe those who are serving in those positions of authority in the church, the more convinced I am of God’s original plan with the church.  Jesus is the Head of the church, His body.2   Jesus is the One in whom God has given all authority.3   Now for the longest time, I have acknowledged that fact intellectually, but I am wondering if I really understand the fullness of it.

Some of my thoughts have centered around the idea of not having a specified leader at our gatherings.  As we get together, we may have a format of sorts that we follow but not necessarily lead by any one person.  So if we begin the gathering with worship, it is an open time for anyone in the group to share a song, a thought, a Scripture, some artwork, or poetry that would bring praise to God.  There may be a song in you heart that you want to share and God is prompting you to share that needs to be heard by someone else in the group.    We need to have that openness to allow the presence of Jesus to lead us as His body.

The same thing could be said of our conversations about the Bible.  Perhaps there are questions that you have that you want to ask or there are things that God has been showing you in the past week that you want to share.  This should be a time that we can edify each other and help each other grow closer to God.  Maybe God has given you something to share that will be the only thing shared the whole gathering time to reach one person.  Again, this is just letting Jesus be in charge of the gathering time.

These are some of the thoughts that I have been having lately.  It would really help me out if you would share your thoughts about these ideas as well.  It would be interesting to hear what God is saying to us collectively and to experience Jesus leadership over us.

1. Galatians 3:25-29   2. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18   3. Matthew 28:18

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion