The Church

Church was never meant to be an organisation but a community. A community of believers, followers of Jesus, gathering together in faith.

When we treat church as just an organisation we run the risk, as has happened in the past, and is still in place today in some cases (but not all) of the church losing its sense of community and it's purpose to bring the Grace of God to the world. It becomes instead a base of power that excludes, rather than creating a place for people to belong and to journey together.

Rather the church should be a community - where love and grace dominate; where acceptance of all people is paramount and belonging important, not behaviour.

A place to belong and where people are encouraged and supported in the journey of life. Where true discipleship is created alongside accountability. Note that I say accountability and not control (let's not confuse the two as often happens).

This does not mean we do away with faith or belief. But in the journey towards faith, beliefs can be wrestled with, argued over, strengthened or done away with.

We can seek to understand the truth of God's word, not as it has been fed us, but what it actually says, so that faith is in Jesus, and his salvation for mankind, based on his love for us, and his sacrifice for us. He becomes our guide and model.

It is not in structures, not in people. (Jesus sometimes said hard stuff, but it was usually reserved for the religious people of his day. Those who made following him difficult and laid heavy burdens on people).

And while some people will wrestle more than others with their faith, let's journey together towards truth and maturity. Let's venture out on this journey and unlearn what we must; undo what needs undoing; and rebuild; with truth and trust in Jesus.

Let's honour our maker, as followers of Jesus. Let us distinguish between the institution that the Christian church has become, and the church itself, which is the gathering, the followers of Jesus who are called to bring transforming faith to our world.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Adults with ADHD

Many years ago most people, including professionals, assumed that childen grew out of ADHD when they reached a certani age, an certainy by adulthood. Today we know differently. Not only do we understand that most people carry ADHD into adulthood, we also know that the number of girls with ADHD is is similiar to the number of boys with ADHD and that whilst it may manifest differently the condition is still as difficult to manage.  What we are finding in our ADHD support group is that parents are realising that they to have ADHD and that they were never diagnosed as children, simply because it wasn't well understod or accepted by the community. In fact we are seeing many more people than ever before seeking support for themselves as well as their children. As we see more adults being diagnosed wih ADHD and getting the support they need, I believe there will also be more acceptance of this fact and that any stigma related t an ADHD diagnosis will disappear.  It will take time but...
Read more

ADHD

We are seeing a number of adults being diagnosed. This doesn't surprise me. The more we understand and see what our children experience the more we see how these same challenges existed in our own childhoods and continue to impact  our lives on a daily basis.  ADHD is better understood these days and many adults find great relief in finally being diagnosed and receiving appropriate treatment and care. Our group for adults is growing and we are learning from each other, encouraging each other, and recognising,  that in the many challenges we face each day, we are not alone.  We want to support and encourage those in our group, continue to advocate for better support for those living with ADHD  in the community, and educate our community on the realities of ADHD. There are many positive aspects to ADHD but families can feel overwhelmed by the challenges and we want to make a difference be for them.  The media often produces sensationalised stories that improp...
Read more

Dismissed

Dismissed - why are women and their concerns always dismissed by men? Why, when we are trying to give input and add information and understanding to a topic, why are we always dismissed. When we speak, we are seldom heard. When we are knowledgeable we are not given the opportunity to be listened too. We are dismissed. Then the world wonders why women rise in indignation at the treatment they receive. Only to be dismissed. Jill Whalan
Read more