It would be great to hear from you what you think this includes. May I make an appeal, please don't only give us your bias and preference? We would love to journey with these pastors. Some of them are from denoms, others from independent communities, others from reformed journeys... There is a deep cry in many hearts. Many are saying, "I did not sign up for this" meaning mindless repetitive
Also, think of in the light of the clear biblical matrix. What is the church called to be and to do? I am looking forward to your thoughts.
Dear Chris,
ReplyDeleteabout two years ago I was attending a preparation conference for a day of spiritual warfare in the red-light district in Amsterdam. On the last morning of the conference I suddenly became very quiet and went to sit in a remote corner. I said to Jesus that this was all very good and exciting (what we were doing) but actually I just wanted to know Him better. He asked me if I was willing to pay the price for this (telling me a concrete example).
After this experience I realized that within me was still a very deep yearning to know my Creator and Lord. Many times I had partaken in Christian activities, adopted beliefs and attained positions which I thought would ultimately lead me into this relationship. Every time has been disappointing and can be aptly described by your title “"There must be more than this...”.
Paul’s words have since taken on a new meaning to me, e.g. - Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; “, with me realizing that there is a price to be paid to enter into this fellowship with Christ, that is, the denial of self (Mark 8:34 & Matthew 16:24).
I see no other way to become one with Him in His resurrection power except taking up His cross and deny self. The church is called to make disciples and to manifest the wisdom of the cross (Ephesians 3:10). I am convinced that she will not attain to this unless she is willing to embrace the cross and deny self – because only then will she be able to walk in the Agape, Power and Wisdom of God!
Love & Blessings
Mark Gelderblom
Brad Dearlove says - I believe there is a cry for more intimacy with God, more substance to what we do rather than filling programs or Sunday meetings, more manifest presence in everyday life, where we the church invade every mountain of society with the sole purpose of serving it to bring about a better change. More market place apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who are full time ministers in the secular work place, schools, shops etc. More of heavens atmosphere over our cities and communities so that drug, alcohol, child and women abuse ends, and poverty is abolished.
ReplyDeleteVery importantly more genuine love, love for each other as the church and love for those who do not yet know God, or even dislike Him.
I like Brad's comment.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to take that further:
Isaiah 49:8-9 "I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, "come out", and to those in darkness, "Be free!"...
Literally, this is a bad translation: the Hebrew for "land" is "erets": literally: Earth.
We are God's covenant to restore earth.
When faced with the correlation of Lev2:13"all sacrifices must contain the salt of the covenant" (loosely) and Matt5:13: "You are the salt of the earth..." Jesus is expressly saying: "I have a covenant with the people of the earth to restore it and to bring about freedom: and you are that covenant!"
As long as we keep thinking that christianity is a "God product to be consumed...which leaves me empty afterwards, needing more", we are in dire danger of turning mystic. (I'm not in any way suggesting this is the case, although the lunatic fringe may see this as a compliment).
What am I saying? The mission and the mandate of Christ is to bring creation in its entirety (people first) into reconciliation with God. Our identity as sons of God (Rom 8:19-20 "All creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed...") ensures our actions of deliverance and rejuvenation are to bring it all under the Lordship of Christ. Therein I think Eph3:10 fully comes into perspective.
ps: I love your blog.
Thanks guys
ReplyDeleteLoving these convos...
Love seeing the different lenses of giftings, personalities, contexts of ministry, even gender being revealed in the chats - all of which is helpful
Chris