I have often wanted to ask others what they thought a perfect church would be like if they could find one or make one.
Everyone has an idea in their mind of what they are looking for in a church. Is it fellowship, programs, learning ......?
For me it would be Jesus, sitting on a stump or log with a couple little ones in his lap speaking of things not even written in the bible!
I used to meet with a group and we met outdoors under a nice canopy of trees and took turns sharing what God had given us that week. It was nice, I liked it, but the group fell apart....such a shame....
What is your idea of the perfect church/gathering?
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
I have often wanted to ask others what they thought a perfect church would be like if they could find one or make one.
Everyone has an idea in their mind of what they are looking for in a church. Is it fellowship, programs, learning ......?
For me it would be Jesus, sitting on a stump or log with a couple little ones in his lap speaking of things not even written in the bible!
I used to meet with a group and we met outdoors under a nice canopy of trees and took turns sharing what God had given us that week. It was nice, I liked it, but the group fell apart....such a shame....
What is your idea of the perfect church/gathering?
For me, a perfect church doesn't mean "perfection". If that makes any sense. A perfect church for me would be one in which people genuinely said "sorry" when they did something wrong. I can think of so many times I have been wronged, lied to, slandered etc and those responsible never even acknowldedged their wrongs, let alone said sorry.
I left my last church in deep offense after the pastor said that I was "not a member" despite the fact that I had been there for about 7 years, being in the music team all that time and had been supporting it with offerings. At the end of my time there, I left and no one cared. After 7 years.
Consequently, I have not been in fellowship since. And I don't miss it one bit. I realised that church was never a place of "friendship" or "fellowship". It was just a weekly ritual devoid of any real fellowship.
I don't mind if someone does a wrong. We all do it, I do it. But acknowledge it and say a genuine "sorry". That would be perfect for me.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I think we already have the perfect church. Its the one Jesus Himself established here on earth. Whether or not we actually adhere to it is another thing.
To me the church is a group of people who meet, lift each other up, bare each others burdens (without judging) and concentrate on doing His work. No programs, political speeches or pointing fingers.
Wouldn't it blow some peoples mind if on a Sunday morning a church would meet at someone's house who were in need (say an elderly lady who needed yard work) and help out. Or volunteer at a soup kitchen?
Can you imagine the look on peoples faces when they found out you were a church and instead of meeting in a building and hearing the "word of God" preached (most cases its the word of the preacher) you are actually living out the Word?
For me, a perfect church doesn't mean "perfection". If that makes any sense. A perfect church for me would be one in which people genuinely said "sorry" when they did something wrong. I can think of so many times I have been wronged, lied to, slandered etc and those responsible never even acknowldedged their wrongs, let alone said sorry.
I left my last church in deep offense after the pastor said that I was "not a member" despite the fact that I had been there for about 7 years, being in the music team all that time and had been supporting it with offerings. At the end of my time there, I left and no one cared. After 7 years.
Consequently, I have not been in fellowship since. And I don't miss it one bit. I realised that church was never a place of "friendship" or "fellowship". It was just a weekly ritual devoid of any real fellowship.
I don't mind if someone does a wrong. We all do it, I do it. But acknowledge it and say a genuine "sorry". That would be perfect for me.
I'm a church survivor too....I had a really bad experience when I was a teen. I got used and dumped when the new pastor came in and I know what you mean.
The reason I started this thread was because of that and that I'm starting a deliverance/church and I don't want to hurt anyone like I was hurt.
I notice that there tends to be a hierachy in churches.....the last one I went to briefly the pastor even had a mini throne!
I don't mean to complain, but I just want to do what is right and good for others. I keep thinking, how would Jesus be as a pastor? I know he washed his disciple's feet and he kept them and never asked them to do something he would not have done himself. He was humble....
Any input is most welcome...
Blessings,
AOF
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
I think we already have the perfect church. Its the one Jesus Himself established here on earth. Whether or not we actually adhere to it is another thing.
To me the church is a group of people who meet, lift each other up, bare each others burdens (without judging) and concentrate on doing His work. No programs, political speeches or pointing fingers.
Wouldn't it blow some peoples mind if on a Sunday morning a church would meet at someone's house who were in need (say an elderly lady who needed yard work) and help out. Or volunteer at a soup kitchen?
Can you imagine the look on peoples faces when they found out you were a church and instead of meeting in a building and hearing the "word of God" preached (most cases its the word of the preacher) you are actually living out the Word?
J.
That would be awesome and just think how much a group who really cared and loved oneanother could do to honor the Lord.
Imagine a group where only God was honored and they all considered themselves humble servants or children of God and none sought a position or glory, but only to do whatever God instructed them to do that day!
Imagine a group that could hear the Holy Spirit so strongly and clearly that each prophesied truth to the other, edified and built up one another, who could operate in the gifts to heal, deliver, and edify.
Where every job done, no matter if it was changing oil for single moms or casting out a demon, it was all done unto Jesus because you loved Him. No one received money, no one sought fame, but all were servants of the Almighty!
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
I tend to think of a perfect church being the one that Jesus wants to welcome to His kingdom. Right now, the bride has got lots of wrinkles and stains. A glorious church (Eph. 5:27 NKJV) is the one I am talking about.
But not many realize that Jesus only comes after the bride is ready.
Imagine a group where only God was honored and they all considered themselves humble servants or children of God and none sought a position or glory, but only to do whatever God instructed them to do that day!
Imagine a group that could hear the Holy Spirit so strongly and clearly that each prophesied truth to the other, edified and built up one another, who could operate in the gifts to heal, deliver, and edify.
Where every job done, no matter if it was changing oil for single moms or casting out a demon, it was all done unto Jesus because you loved Him. No one received money, no one sought fame, but all were servants of the Almighty!
I agree. Thats why Jesus said the last will be first and the first will be last. Pastors were to be truley sheppards, caring for the flock. That leadership was from the bottom up not the top down. We have it all backwards now. Now its a "serveus" not a service.
I tend to think of a perfect church being the one that Jesus wants to welcome to His kingdom. Right now, the bride has got lots of wrinkles and stains. A glorious church (Eph. 5:27 NKJV) is the one I am talking about.
But not many realize that Jesus only comes after the bride is ready.
Very good point.....we should be preparing ourselves and others by the Holy Spirit for His return.....so a really body of Christ would certainly focus on edification, not building buildings and stuff. Very good point.
I guess that's is why I said my idea of a perfect church service is Jesus sitting on a stump talking about the wonders of God, holding little children and full of love and kindness.
I don't care about the buildings, the importance, the salaries, and who's the 'big dog' in ministry, and who thinks 'they' are sent from God with a big title and stuff....I just want to hear from God and I want to be with Him, to know how He feels, to have Him living inside of me, to think His thoughts and feel His feelings....that is what I want more then anything in the world.
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
I agree. Thats why Jesus said the last will be first and the first will be last. Pastors were to be truley sheppards, caring for the flock. That leadership was from the bottom up not the top down. We have it all backwards now. Now its a "serveus" not a service.
J.
I agree, this is what I've been thinking about.....those who were to be elders, and pastors, and teachers, etc. were sent to 'serve' not be served. They were meant to be the examples of how Jesus was, washing the feet of others.
When you see a poor person in the congregation and a pastor with a $2500.00 suit and a new car....something is beyond wrong!
I was thinking the other day of John G. Lake's wife....you know the guy who went to Africa, she died of starvation feeding the poor. Him and his wife refused to eat anything better then the others and lived off of corn cakes.....and while John was out ministering, she didn't have the heart to eat in front of a starving child and died of starvation herself.
That is love. What an honorable way to enter heaven.....just look at the difference between that mindset and the ones you see today with million dollar homes, private helicopters, and one t.v. evangelist flies his race horse around in a private jet!
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
Linear Mode
