Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
The problem is too many see the church through our modern lense of our modern experience. Some folks NEED these trappings of modern religion... they would spiritually die without the Sunday Show. Should the church fall into serious persecution in the United States they'd we swept away with the buildings. Now... those who TRULY undersand the essence of the "Kingdom of God" will thrive as the true church always has in times of persecution. Meeting in homes, smaller and simple gatherings, love, intimacy.
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I do not have any specific disagreement with this post, but I wanted to insert something here as one who has stepped away from the former building-centered delivery system.
Meeting from house to house is fundamentally an expression of a distributed network that is not bound by any pledge of allegiance, or any other form of fidelity statement, to a human-founded club or organization.
It’s a network of networks. It is not an organization or group.
There is no explicit, perceived, or implied mastery in operation. There is no preeminent seat with a founder or ruler who is in charge. There are guides and facilitators to offer counsels. Within any common/shared space, there is always a role involving some entity administering a protocol that can either be accepted or rejected, but without compliance, separation from that network results.
In my journey, the distinctive between house assembly and a central building [as the tabernacle] delivery approach is not about size but rather is about the operation of headship (mastery).
Networks are built upon mutual agreement, not upon hierarchal governance. To function within the connections (every joint supplying) that comprise any network, both ends submit to one another. The
dynamic is NOT maintained by an authority, but rather by a shared agreement between participants.
I am certain that men who seek to make disciples unto themselves will use any means available to do so; a platform, special distinctive clothing, a microphone or the small setting of living room, in an attempt to maneuver control to establish a preeminent position. The protection from this is the heart of the seeker of God. A heart that is NOT seeking for an earthly king but instead gives liberty for every servant to answer to their own master. Persons with a heart after God, will generally reject and separate from men who position themselves as mediators between them and their savior.
I do not see a need to contend with the central delivery, hierarchical approach to any human-organized Christian fellowship. If proponents of building-centered assembly are of God, great --they will continue and likely prosper. Otherwise, they will do all the stuff human clubs do…circle the wagons --have conferences --count noses after global conquests and then have splits and re-organize.
To God be the glory for the glorious church that is the product of his own handiwork.
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