Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge
Man, I was responding to someone's else's question to me. Essentially is quite a word. So is presumptuousness. How many do you Pastor or teach to weekly.. away from the Internet?
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Maybe I misunderstood you. I don't entirely buy into the age of accountability thing.
I'm not a "pastor" or "preacher" per se. For about four years I was a preacher on rotation with a minister's team in a UPCI church. Today I frequent a network of house churches sharing the reality of Jesus to whoever will listen. I don't really believe in buildings or religious institutions of this world. Essentially, to me, a "pastor" (I prefer "elder) is a spiritual father and/or mentor who has a burden to teach and guide believers. Not an official of a given organization or denomination. I frequent three different house churches. One had about 22 people and has split to form another house church. The other has about 15 adults in regular attendance and is planning for multiplication soon by preparing more elders.
We shoot for depth... not so much numbers. The key is making disciples of Jesus. Not converts. Our retention is very good at the moment. Our house churches refuse to claim "members". We are spiritual waystations along a believer's journey should they need us. Yet, most people who experience the house church experience love it and wish to stay. Our meetings are modeled right after the the discussion based meetings ordained by Paul among the Corinthians in
I Corinthians 14.
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