Children of the Kingdom

I am continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom, taking a look today at  Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

Why do you think Jesus would say such things?

Is it that some of us think we are more important than others? In many work environments it may be true.  Some people will be in positions of authority over others. In difference circles of influence it may also be true.

But in the kingdom of God it doesn't seem so. In this world you may be the king or president of a great nation, a CEO of a large company, or the leader of some organization... but we see Jesus saying that anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 

Why would Jesus say this? I think kingdoms work best when there is only one king. If somebody wants to join the kingdom of God, but also want to be in charge somehow... it's just not going to work out well.

I'm sorry, but if you want to be a king in the kingdom of God, it seems like there is no room in the kingdom for you. That position has already been filled.

Children are welcome. There is always more room for children of the King. 

 Related Posts:

• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary
• Leading The Way 
• Church Hierarchical Leadership  
• Kingdom Without Hierarchy 
• The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to... 
• Greatest in the Kingdom

Plugging In and Fitting In

A conversation I had with a brother recently got me thinking about stories in a book Finding Church that I am reading. In the book, a number of different people share their stories of looking for church, finding problems with each church, and moving on and looking elsewhere.  I know many people who have similar stories, moving from church to church. For a time they feel like they have found a home church, later to discover something is missing.  Some of them eventually give up and stop looking for the church that best fits their needs. Some settle on a church community but are not really satisfied, others give up and quit 'going' to church.

There are many different reasons people leave churches and go looking for church elsewhere.

I think I recognize a common desire in most of these stories. People often want to feel like they belong and fit into a church community. 

Many Christians struggle with this need of belonging. It could be because people are encouraged to 'fit in' by 'plugging in' and serving in some church program.  After visiting for a few weeks, if someone wants to belong, the first step is often to find some ministry where they can volunteer and contribute. In some cases serving side by side with others does build relationships. However for others it doesn't work out that way.  After a few years of working side by side with others, some people still don't really feel like family. For whatever reason, some people will form stronger relationships than others.

A problem with this could be that churches often focus on plugging into programs - and simply hope that relationships will form.



What if people were encouraged to plug into church by building relationships first?

If church was viewed primarily as believers, and whenever they get together - a primary focus of the church could be building relationships with each other whenever we get together - to build each other up to become more like Christ, and encourage each other to go and share Christ with others.

If you take an honest look at the church of the New Testament, you should notice that relationships come before programs.  There isn't much mention of church programs.  But there is a strong emphasis on the 'one another' relational aspects of gathering together as the church.

So here is my suggestion for those that feel like you don't fit in with a community of believers.  Focus on what you can do in terms of the 'one another' commands we see in Scripture.  Plug in by building some relationships and see if things change.

Advice for those that do fit in with a community of believers but are concerned about those that don't.  Focus on what you can do in terms of the 'one another' commands we see in Scripture.  Instead of encouraging fringe people to fill a ministry need, take the time to build a relationship with them.  Take whatever opportunity you can to encourage others to become more like Christ.

Related Posts:

• Five W's of One Another
• Church Etymology
• Caring For Others Is Essential 

If I Become The Next Pope

With the current Pope resigning, I thought I'd put some thoughts together just in case I am selected as the next Pope.  If I was the Pope, and had the power to direct the church, what would I do?

1. I would make a decree banning all Christian denominations. All followers of Christ would be instructed to recognize that there is only one church.
2. I would hold a mass ordination where all Christ followers would be ordained as priests.  Imagine how much could be accomplished by encouraging the priesthood of all believers.
3. I would lay off all employee's of the church.  With millions of new priests volunteering their time and lives, it wouldn't be necessary to pay some.
4. I would sell all church property, and distribute the money raised to the poor.
5. I would make a decree that Jesus is the only head of His church.
6. I would then resign. 

What would be left after I destroyed what the church has worked so hard to create and maintain?  The vision I have is that the church would return to the way it was in the early days - before the days of church buildings, special staff, and special programs.  The church would be scattered back into the world - to work together, care for others, and share Jesus with those outside the church.  

I recognize that the Pope does not have influence over the other 30,000+ denominations out there.  But I suspect if the Catholic church took these steps of reform - many other reformers would follow. 

Did I miss anything?  What would you do if you were Pope?

Related Posts:

• My 95 Thesis - Point 10 - Denominations
• My 95 Thesis - Point 13 - Temple Worship 
• My 95 Thesis - Point 9 - Money
• Church Hierarchical Leadership 
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Do You Know Your Lusts of the Flesh

When you think about lusts of the flesh what do you think of?  I believe Galatians 5:16 - 21 has a list of different lusts of the flesh . I suspect we often reduce this list and ignore a few.

I'll start with the good old King James version since it translates epithymian as lust.  Side note: this Greek term often gets translated as desire, for example Jesus desired (or lusted) to eat passover in Luke 22:15.

Galatians 5:16 - 21 (KJV)

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

OK, there is quite the list here of desires or lusts of the flesh - things that are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit that are listed next in the popular Gal 5:22 - 23.

I want to highlight one that often gets overlooked when we think about lusts of the flesh.

In the KJV list we see listed heresies - from the greek haireseis.

Other translations go with terms like factions, divisions, sects, or schools of opinion in Gal 5:20. 

SECTS is a naughty lust of the flesh. 

I dare you to speak this truth the next time you are with a bunch of Christians.  Then spell it out because I'm pretty sure you'll be misunderstood. :)

We have a natural human tendency to be divisive.  A simple look at church history and the 40,000+ Christian denominations, sects and factions is proof enough.  This is not the work of the Spirit - it is contrary to the fruit of the Spirit which includes love, peace, patience, and meekness.

Related Posts:

• Unity is Essential
• Paul the Heretic? 

  

Image of Bridge

This isn't a 'normal' post.  But I feel like I should post it... so crazy or not here it is. 

An image came to my minds eye as I was praying yesterday. 

I saw a grand old bridge. It was made of concrete. In the distance it had a structure with an archway... it may have been in the center of the bridge.

I was standing on land on one side of the bridge looking down the road that crossed the bridge.

I felt that the bridge was in some way bridging the gap between the ancient church and the present church.

I saw people coming along the bridge towards me. They looked like they were in a hurry. They looked like they were moving quickly, but making slow progress. Like jogging on the spot. They may have been riding horses. It was a mob. They were not dressed well. They were dirty. They were in such a rush that they were pushing each other and many of them were falling off the bridge. It was as if the bridge was not large enough for all of them.

I wanted to turn and see where they were going. I wanted to see what was behind me, but I couldn't turn around.

But I know once they make it across the bridge there would be plenty of room. Freedom for everyone to move without getting in each others way.

I'm not certain why this image came into my minds eye, if it has a meaning, or what it is.

I suspect the bridge is the structures of church that has carried the people of the church from ancient times until now.

If that was the bride of Christ, it wasn't a pretty sight.  But I sense God is still at work and better things are yet to come.

The Most Efficient Leadership Structure

"I am convinced that top-down structures of leadership are unquestionably more efficient -- efficient in doing almost everything than equipping, which is the primary task of leadership. "
(David Black - http://www.daveblackonline.com/what_does_a_new_testament_church.htm)

What do you think of this quote?

In terms of government systems, I have often heard that dictatorships or single party systems are more efficient than multiparty systems. Some of the most efficient countries in history have had a strong top-down leadership structure. I think the same goes for companies and other institutions.

There are drawbacks of course. I am glad I don't live in Nazi Germany or a single party country like China. Strong top-down leadership structures often do not value freedom of speech when your views are different than that of the leaders.

What is the primary task of leadership?

I guess it depends. In the case of a corporation that produces widgets, efficiency may be the top goal, and a strong top-down leadership structure may help produce the most widgets.


However, when talking about the church, the assembling of believers, what is the purpose of leadership?

If the goal is to run excellent programs a top-down leadership structure is likely what you want.

I believe the goal of gathering with other believers is to build one another up to become more like Christ. I believe Ephesians 4:7-16 speaks to this:

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."(NIV)

I suspect this building up of one another is best accomplished in mutual relationships.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Related Posts:

• Leading The Way
• Church Hierarchical Leadership 
• Jesus on Leadership
• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series
• Influence of Ignatius
• My Role with Church 
• Five W's of One Another