"Having Church" — the Bane of GOD's Community

I'm not sure where the idea originated, nor when it became the accepted modus oporandi, but there exists a notion that the most important thing that GOD's Community does is have church. Think about it: we invite people to our weekly events so that they can find GOD (I say we because I've done it too); we pass out flyers (new-fangled jargon for tracts) and invitations to people all over our cities so that they will attend a worship experience… the list goes on and on. Please understand, I'm not suggesting that this action is wrong, or that we should cease these efforts. My point in bringing this up is that this cannot be all that Jesus had in mind when He built His Ekklesia on the rock.


There is one aspect of this particular brand of outreach that has always made me laugh. After we put in the efforts to invite all these people to our gatherings, when they arrive—more often than not—they are completely lost as to what is going on. The worship style is far too often more centered around our personal preference rather than Messiah-focused, thus making it very difficult for those unfamiliar with our particular brand of pentecostalism to participate. Our admonitions are filled with inside baseball phrases and one-liners designed to make our inner Pentecostal run around the room with arms flailing (I've always wondered where aisle running came from; I haven't been able to find it in the Text) or some other pentecostal expression, all the while those we've invited are looking around clueless as to what is going on. On a side note, we call our expressive worship pentecostal because we claim the birth of the Church to be Acts 2, at the Feast of Pentecost. We—however—apparently miss the verse in Acts 2 that tells us that they were all sitting in the upper room when GOD poured out His Spirit. Nowhere does it say that they began to run around the room, whooping like Hollywood Indians. Sure David danced before the Lord (maybe we should've called ourselves Davidians), but he wasn't at Pentecost; not to mention, he was in his underwear and I haven't heard anyone calling for that practice. 


Please don't take me wrong, I'm not here to criticize anyone's personal expression of worship and adoration to GOD. I wholeheartedly believe and encourage expressive worship. That being said, I do wonder how much of our gyrations are nothing more than attempts to conjure GOD's Spirit. Read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18. There's no misunderstanding who was GOD's prophet and who were the prophets of Baal. Now, look deeper; which ones were leaping and dancing, and which one simply prayed a prayer of faith? Which prophet's GOD rained down fire and consumed the sacrifice, altar, water and everything around the altar? Was it the god of those who were having funky-chicken church (if you'll allow me a bit of poetic license), or was it the GOD of the man who prayed a simple prayer?


True worship comes from the heart, not necessarily from the twitching of the body. The power of GOD's Spirit is often times much more present in the moments when our hands are collectively raised in surrender and adoration to His Majesty than in those times when it looks like a well-dressed roller derby has taken over the church building.


Continuing on through our gatherings… after a worship set consisting of songs and pentecostal catch-phrases, our sermonizing—far too often—is centered on maintaining the Body rather than pricking the heart of the lost soul. I've raised this question before, but where in the Text does it read that preaching is to maintain the saints? Isn't that the task of teaching, or better yet, shouldn't that be accomplished through daily study and personal intimacy with GOD Himself? I wonder how many times someone who was truly seeking GOD came and sat through one of our gatherings and left more confused and just as lost, all because we wanted to have good church? In case you're wondering, I am—in fact—in favor of seeker-friendly worship experiences (or church services if that's your preference). In my understanding GOD chose the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe (by context, those who have transitioned from the state of unbelief to a state of belief). A seeker is by definition someone seeking to believe. I believe that GOD's Community should be the most friendly people a seeker has ever encountered. I also believe in being hurting-friendly, abused-friendly, sick-friendly, lost-friendly, etc.


Then there's the notion, "Bo, if you get the fire hot enough, they'll come!" Now, let's first overlook the fact that this notion is a derivative of Field of Dreams, then let's face the reality that it has no semblance of GOD's Reality. The answer to our hurting world's emptiness is not good church, it's GOD Himself.


Another pentecostalism that makes me giggle is when the preacher is preaching and drops the phrase, "Can I get an amen?" or "I wish I had help" (normally followed by the phrase "up in here"). When did GOD say for us to preach or teach for a response? And, why are you wanting help from the congregation; shouldn't you want GOD's help? Wouldn't that help have come from Him while you were studying and seeking His direction? I'm sorry, I probably should've said GAWD so that the more preachy among us would understand what I'm talking about. 


Having church is a huge problem, primarily because nowhere in the Text will you find the implication nor instruction to have church. You will—however—find numerous admonitions for those who are Spirit-baptized to be the Church. It's also a problem because having church never truly changed anyone's life. Sure, you can get people gyrating, but GOD didn't say that the foolishness of our expressed worship ever saved anyone. Nor does the Text say that the louder we scream or holler, or the faster we run, or the higher we jump, or the more funky our chicken the more of GOD's Spirit will be poured out. Sure, you may enjoy all of the above, but that doesn't mean that GOD necessarily does.


Being a peculiar people doesn't mean being freaks of nature.


So, how can we be the Church? This answer is found in the Text. Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by our love one to another. He also said that when we show love to those who are the least in society that we've shown love unto Him. He also said that when we visit the sick, serve the needy, clothe the naked, visit those in prison that we are actually ministering (serving) Him. Notice that He never said to visit only the sick, serve the needy, clothe the naked or visit the imprisoned who are directly connected with our local congregation.


At the close of Acts 2 we read that GOD added to the Church daily. What brought this advent about? If you take the time to dig into this verse and the surrounding context you'll find that after the infilling, those Spirit-baptized began fulfilling the Commission that Jesus gave at the close of Matthew's Gospel.


We are only the Church when we fulfill His Mission.


We fulfill His Mission when we begin to actually go… make disciples. Far too much of our outreach consists of our bringing people to us, or asking them to come to our gatherings (church services for those more traditional among us). True outreach is reaching out beyond the safety of the walls of our church buildings into the hurting world that surrounds us. We need to realize that we're not going to reach our world through crusades and conferences. We will reach our world when we begin going to where they are.


We will only be the Church when we stop simply having church.

Ultimate Reality

Colossians 1:15-23

Who is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn {Greek,  prototokos – begotton, or to have initial beginning and final end} of every creature: For by {Greek, en – through} him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by {or through} him, and for him {or His purpose}: And he is before all things, and by {or through} him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence {or the highest rank}.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness {or completeness} dwell; And, having made peace through {or because of} the blood of his cross, by {or through} him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him {or through His life}, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by {or because of} wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

Three Primary Expressions of GOD

1. A Father – in judgment & creation

GOD expresses Himself as our Father in His correction and His creation. Paul tell us in Romans 14:11 shows us that GOD is our Judge. In Psalms 51:10, David teaches us to pray for GOD to create within us His will and purpose, and of course we can’t overlook His creative Word expressed in Creation.

2. A Son – in redemption & re-creation

GOD expresses Himself as our Redeemer, or as a Son, through His redemptive power, and by re-creating—or re-birthing—us according to His desires and plans. In his letter to the Community at Galatia, Paul shows us that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the judgment of GOD (Galatians 3:13). In 1 Peter 1:18, Peter tells us that we were not redeemed with anything corruptible, but by the everlasting, precious blood—or essence—of Jesus Messiah. Jesus Himself tells us in John 3:7 that we have no choice but to be re-born in Messiah. Peter also shows us that we are re-birthed by the word—or expression—of GOD (1 Peter 1:23). The writer to the Hebrews shows us that Jesus—or the Son—was the express image—or exact imprint of the nature—of the Father:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, GOD spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us {through} his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs, Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV.

3. The Spirit – in comfort and keeping power

GOD is our Comforter and Sustainer because of His intrinsic character—His very nature. In John 14:18 Jesus told his disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, but that He, Himself would come to them. Peter shows us that Jesus is the Keeper—or Caretaker—of our souls (1 Peter 4:19). He also tells us to, cast all [our] cares on Him, for He continually cares for [us] (1 Peter 5:7). This is the intrinsic character of the Eternal GOD. Because this is His character, then we are connected to the eternal GOD-ness through our intimate knowledge of His Spirit.

The Blueprint of Creation

The Text insists that Jesus is how GOD put things together (Col. 1:17). It is here that Paul points out that in some mysterious way, Jesus is behind it all. Jesus is the arrangement, the design, the intelligence.

As Christians—or disciples of Christ—we aren’t to follow Christ’s teachings because they are a nice way to live a moral life. We should follow them because they are the best possible insight to how GOD really works. Jesus’ words teach us how things really are.

I don’t follow Jesus because I think Christianity is the best religion. I follow Jesus because He leads me into Ultimate Reality; He teaches me to live in tune with GOD’s Reality. When Jesus said, No one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6), He was saying that: His ways, His words, His life is our connection to the essence of how things really are, which is GOD. For Jesus, the whole point is to help us connect with Ultimate Reality, GOD.

Even Paul tells us not to be so caught up and encumbered with religious relating to GOD: These religious acts and rituals are but shadows of the true Reality. The reality of the body is found in Jesus Messiah, (Col. 2:17).

Labels

It is a dangerous thing to label things Christian. The word Christian first appears in the Bible as a noun; a person, place or thing. The 1^st Century followers of Jesus accepted the moniker Christian because they had devoted themselves to living the way of Messiah. The moniker was used as a noun; a person—a person who follows Jesus, referring to a person living in tune with Ultimate Reality. 

Modern thinking has turned the word Christian into an adjective; a word used to describe a noun. The problem with turning a noun into an adjective—then tacking it onto words—is that this can create categories within the definition of Christian that limit the truth. This assumes that everything labeled Christian is both true or good.  For example, not all Christian music is good music; some is played with very little talent or regard to proper musical structure (not to mention that the goodness of music is very subjective). Movies are sometimes portrayed as Christian, but do all of them project the Character of Messiah? What if a preacher preaches or teaches something that is not biblically sound. Bear in mind that he is a Christian talking to other Christians in a Christian environment; yet he can still speak false doctrine. Just because you buy a Christian book in a Christian book store, doesn’t mean that every word of the text is founded in biblical truth. Christian is a great noun, but a poor adjective.

To be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion to Jesus Messiah. We do this because our actions reflect on our GOD, thus our actions are sacred as they are worship and consecration to Him. Paul said, Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus Messiah, (Col. 3:17). He goes on to say that whatever we do, that we should do it heartily, as if it were worship to GOD, (Col. 3:23).

As Christians everything we do must reflect the passion that we have for Him and His purpose. This is why our life-performance (job performance, school performance, etc.) should be the best we can make it—it is worship to our GOD. If I’m not giving my best in everything that I do, then I am not reflecting Ultimate Reality. If I’m not giving my all in everything, then I’m not giving my all in anything.

This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a truly secular job. If you follow Jesus—and you’re doing what you do in His name—then it is no longer secular work. You are there; GOD is there; the difference is our awareness.

This truth has significant implications for how congregations function. Actions or talents don’t have to be part of a church service to be for GOD. A church is a community of people who are learning how to be His disciples wherever they are, so they can do whatever it is they do in the name of Jesus Messiah. The goal isn’t to bring everyone’s actions or talents into the church. The goal is for the Community to be these unique kinds of people who are transforming the places they live, work, play, exist.

Doing things for GOD happens all the time. Throw yourself into your life and give it all you’ve got; because you’re living your life in worship and commitment to Him. This is why labels ultimately fail. No matter how useful they are, they don’t always reflect the true meaning of the word.

We have to learn to distinguish between dark and light; GOD and flesh. The ancient Hebrew rabbis would say, The first thing GOD does is distinguish between dark and light, and the rest of Scripture is GOD teaching man how to do the same. The Text is filled with examples of GOD teaching His people how to think, how to discern, how to sort and shift and figure out what is or is not Ultimate Reality.

Being a Christian is about engaging the mind and heart more and more; not shutting them off and letting someone else think for you. Peter admonished the Community to be alert, (1 Pet. 5:8). Paul instructed the Thessalonians to test everything and hold on to the good, (1 Thess. 5:21). The danger of labeling things Christian is that it can lead to our blindly consuming things we’ve been told as fact; we assume they are acceptable simply because they’ve been taught to us by people we respect. When we turn off our discernment radar dangerous things can happen. We have to test everything. Everything that we see or hear must be run through the filter of the Text. If it doesn’t gee haw with the Character and Essence of GOD, we should discard it.

Don’t follow anything blindly; because if you do then you are ignoring the passion by which you should live your life. Don’t swallow what I’m teaching uncritically; wrestle with it; challenge it; make sure it is founded in Ultimate Reality. No one has it completely nailed down; we’re only contributing to the discussion. GOD has spoken, everything else is commentary.

Then what is Ultimate Reality?

Ultimate Reality is GOD Himself; His very character, His expressions of Himself—ultimately, His purpose—is Ultimate Reality. Every aspect of our lives—our very existence—must reflect our complete and total devotion to His Ultimate Reality. Anything less than everything is nothing at all.

Returning to Antiquity

I was recently asked why I place so much focus on the rabbinic ministry of Jesus, and why I reference Hebraic tradition so often. They continued, "Why listen to rabbis when we have the Messiah?" So, I figured I'd take the time to explain my passion for 1st Century ethos.


First, while it's a very good educational practice to question modern rabbis, it would be a huge mistake to follow any of them. The only Rabbi that we should follow is Jesus. For this to make any sense you have to first understand that Jesus lived His earthly life and conducted His earthly ministry according to the rabbinic tradition. He gathered disciples, He traveled around Judea and the Decapolis interpreting the Torah and the Nevi'im and He commissioned His disciples with His yoke (or doctrine) at the end of His earthly ministry. Throughout the four Gospels Jesus is referred to by His followers as Rabbi (or Master: KJV; or Teacher: ESV and others). It is important to note that He came in the ministry of interpreting the Torah, and thus fulfilled the Torah with His sacrifice. Denying His rabbinic ministry denies an integral aspect of His Mission.


The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century Community is because of Diaspora. Diaspora loosely refers to the spread of the Good News that occured after the Day of Pentecost. Diasporic Communities sprang up all across the known world—as far even as the Brittanic Islands—almost overnight. Luke reference this in the second chapter of his Acts, where he says that GOD added to the Community daily... Before Paul's Illumination, and even before he wrote his first letter to the 1st Century Community, there were thousands of Diasporic Communities in homes who had already dedicated themselves to following their Rabbi, Jesus Messiah (Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Savior, or Jesus—YHWH's Salvation). Not since the 1st Century has there been such a vast and rapid dispersion of the Good News; no, not even Azusa.


The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century is because of the advent of 4th Century cath holos (Roman Catholicism) that perverted and merged GOD's Community with human religion. Far too much of what we call Church Tradition has it's genesis in cath holos rather than in the Missio Dei (Mission of GOD). As a result I am calling for a return to biblical antiquity, a return to the 1st Century ethos that is dedicated and sold out to our Rabbi, Jesus—GOD's manifested Salvation.


I believe that GOD has called me to rip the facade off of denominationalism and religiosity so that the Light of His Illumination can shine again in the hearts of His Community, so that we return our focus to His Mission and His Kingdom. GOD didn't commission us to construct organizations and fellowships that are more akin to humanistic religion; He baptized us with His Spirit and Essence so that we would spread His Yoke, shining His Identity, building His Kingdom.


I wholeheartedly believe that the time has come to lay aside the trappings of denominational religion and return again to biblical antiquity; primarily 1st Century antiquity. When GOD's people today allow themselves to have all things in common, and to live in common unity, as the Ekklesia did in the 1st Century, we will begin to see a 1st Century outpouring of GOD's Spirit.


I've dedicated my life and the lives of my family to this return. We welcome you to join us on the journey.




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