The one assembly/congregation policy

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

But again what's the team analagous to? Can it bigger than a congregation?

For example, in Revelation a letter is written to the church at Sardis. How many congregations were there? Did they all go to the same building?

Well the church in Sardis, was a city wide church that met in house churches throughout that city, elders and five fold ministers circulated among those house churches to minister to the needs and equipped the saints.

But remember the reality those believer were commited to a house church where a spiritually gifted elder pastored them.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Ron

True, but the principle is the same.
One who continually moves around is seen as being unstable.
Good Churches are built on the backs of not only good doctrine, good Spirit, good Pastors, but also on the faithfulness of good people.

How could you have SS Classes taught, Bible Studies shared, ministries to happen if there were no faithful saints?

"Mom, how come we can't have SS Class today?"
"Sorry dear, Sis____ felt to try it somewhere else, after all she never stays anywhere more than two months?"

Simplistic, I know. I hope you get the idea though.

God Bless!

Ron

I get your point. And there are good reasons to stay in one place. I believe that. But why do we have to paint all people who move around with the same brush and call them unstable because they want to move around? Really there are only so many positions and not everyone does a specific job.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by keith4him

Well the church in Sardis, was a city wide church that met in house churches throughout that city, elders and five fold ministers circulated among those house churches to minister to the needs and equipped the saints.

But remember the reality those believer were commited to a house church where a spiritually gifted elder pastored them.

Were they committed to a certain house church or did they meet from house to house?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I have a question and I am being sincere when I ask it (I can visualize some of you rolling your eyes when you read it)...

Assumptions:

1. A person is mature in the Lord and NOT a babe in Christ.
2. The person is not disgruntled with anyone or anything taught


Question:

Why does a person HAVE TO find ONE assembly and stay put? If there were (let's say for the sake of argument) 5 UPC churches in your area, why can't you go to one of those churches each week in a around robin manner? I'm from a district where I know most of the long-timers in every church. We are all Bros and Sis in the Lord and are basically receiving the same doctrinal teachings.

Are there any scriptures to indicate that I shouldn't?

Why are people called "church hoppers", etc if they do visit other areas regularily?

Because they feel a personal duty to put you into a little box and make you a perfect carbon copy saint and they can't do that if they don't have continual control of you? After all, what will happen if you actually hear something preached contrary to what the Pastor thinks? You might actually have to think for yourself!!!! Oh No! What is to become of us all???

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

Were they committed to a certain house church or did they meet from house to house?

Well Paul in his Apostolic gifting went house to house, but I believe that believer committed to meeting in one or more houses under a local elder.

Acts 20:20- The big vision
Roman 16:5-The local setting
I Cor. 14:26-What they did

[Ron]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I get your point. And there are good reasons to stay in one place. I believe that. But why do we have to paint all people who move around with the same brush and call them unstable because they want to move around? Really there are only so many positions and not everyone does a specific job.

I guess if one is always moving around, it begs a question why?
I see your point that not everyone has a position.

I still say that to be in one place is "better" both for the Church and for ones own personal growth.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Michi

Because they feel a personal duty to put you into a little box and make you a perfect carbon copy saint and they can't do that if they don't have continual control of you? After all, what will happen if you actually hear something preached contrary to what the Pastor thinks? You might actually have to think for yourself!!!! Oh No! What is to become of us all???

At one time I might have agreed, but it is clear that people need to be commited to a local body (in flesh group of believers) where they can know and be known. The gifts and presence of God flows through his body, if you are connected to a body, there will be no life.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Ron

True, but the principle is the same.
One who continually moves around is seen as being unstable.
Good Churches are built on the backs of not only good doctrine, good Spirit, good Pastors, but also on the faithfulness of good people.

How could you have SS Classes taught, Bible Studies shared, ministries to happen if there were no faithful saints?

"Mom, how come we can't have SS Class today?"
"Sorry dear, Sis____ felt to try it somewhere else, after all she never stays anywhere more than two months?"

Simplistic, I know. I hope you get the idea though.

God Bless!

Ron

I hear that term alot "faithfulness". What does that mean? Faithful to whom or what?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by keith4him

At one time I might have agreed, but it is clear that people need to be commited to a local body (in flesh group of believers) where they can know and be known. The gifts and presence of God flows through his body, if you are connected to a body, there will be no life.

The body is not limited to one congregation, as long as you are around other believers that would be fulfilled. There is nothing that specifies that you must be around the same believers continually.

Honestly, I think it is more about Pastor's fear of losing control. Of course, I will add that I do not believe in the seperation of so called ministry and laity. I think we are all equal believers in the body.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I hear that term alot "faithfulness". What does that mean? Faithful to whom or what?

That's the problem...though they say "faithful to the house of God" that seems to translate, as "we do not want to share your tithes"