Relevant... To Who?

[GrowingPains]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I think it's part of a systemic problem. You see, when a church meets today it's geared toward a "what can church do for me" kind of attitude. In NT times the church met in small groups in homes and shared the Word of God with everyone contributing. Every member had a part, they came with something to give. Young people came with questions and a hunger to learn more. Perhaps the younger folks brought song and praise. Older more seasoned saints came with their wisdom, experience, and Scriptural understanding. Everyone aimed to edify the group as a whole. Today we expect one man, a Pastor, to deliver something that will appeal across the board. The price is that preachers have to resort to more vague generalities in spiritual principles in the hopes that each member can "get it" at their level. This sacrifices the deep and personalized teaching found in the churches of the New Testament. Today people expect a single church to find a way to gather resources for various programs or efforts to meet the needs of children, youth, college & career, singles, young marrieds, young ministers, drug addicts, alcoholics, etc. Today all expect the church to provide music, praise, and worship that accommodates all age groups and appeals to all tastes. All of this is far too much for one church or one man to bare. This is why so many pastors are suffering from burnout. This isn't the way church is supposed to be. Instead of going to church to "get" we should be coming to church to "give". And this is best done in smaller groups geared toward New Testament body ministry.

I Corinthians 14:26-33 (NIV)
26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

For all my questions with how we historicize the NT Pastor, I still stand and applaud this post. What a picture! Idealism or pragmatic Christianity? In the NT we know the Apostles dropped in on many of these house worship gatherings. Aquila, I asked a question concerning house churches in another post just before this one.