Meeting

Yesterday, May 18 our whole group was together after about a month. You see, we had several C.I.A. projects that allowed us to serve others in the name of Jesus and we worshipped as we worked, so we didn't actually meet in one of our homes. We met at people's home we do not know.

We gathered at our home. Now, our neighbors have a rather large dog who is very playful. After we ate most of us went out back to see this large dog and visit with the neighbors. I invited them over to sing praise songs and hang out with us. Well, they did and thus were introduced to a simple way of following Jesus. She had grown up in a mega church and has become disillusioned
by the staged event some call worship. They both seemed at ease and they even sang out with us. It's amazing what God can do with an invitation and a glass of sweet tea.

It was great to see everyone together again. Next weekend we have another service project to do and one to finish up on. Serving others is a blessing to us.

phil

Just a thought...

If you've been reading this blog, you are aware of the fight with cancer (Jack) my father-in-law lost, won, April 30 of this year. All during his 2 year battle I have learned many lessons and had some really cool things come to my mind. Well. 13 days after his passing from this life I had another one... It is this, As much as he loves his family and enjoyed his time on this earth, he wouldn't come back even if he could. He's with Jesus. He's in paradise, why would he return to a world so rich in sin. Where he now lives, it's all good! No tears, no grief, no CANCER! Praise God!

phil

Initiative

Blog-by-proxy from Mickey Mooney

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19)

Why do we do what we do? What is the motive for the ministry decisions we make? I am on many mailing lists of both IC and simple church practitioners. Thru them I see such a huge spectrum of activities aimed at advancing the Kingdom of God (I assume..).

How much of it all (my own endeavors included) actually has its genesis in the Heart of God? Here is a brief look at some of Jesus’ initiatives as recorded by John:

• John 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
• John 8:28 "So Jesus said, 'When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.'"
• John 8:42-43 "Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.'"
• John 12:49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.
• John 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works."

John discloses one thing that Jesus modeled doing from His own initiative. He made the choice to lay His life down.

John 10:18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

We can choose to lay down our goals, our agendas, our programs, our desire for success, our ministry aspirations, our lives… Then maybe we will be freed up and available to follow thru on assignments of His choosing!

Mickey Mooney

Thoughts on Discipleship

The following is a "thread" of e-mail correspondence we had among some of us over the past week or so. I wanted to share all of our thoughts for the benefit of all. I hope you find this as interesting and encouraging as we did. Please feel free to post a comment.

Simply,
Jason

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I have a question I've been pondering over for awhile. In this limited mind of mine, I've been trying to reason through some things. I know our focus is Jesus, and if Jesus wasn't who he is, our meeting would be in vain. We gather and Jesus is the head of his body. All scripture points to Jesus, with standards to living a life pleasing to God, whether through the law, and then through grace. Paul came to the Gentiles with the message of Christ and how we could be apart of the body (adopted into the family). Paul not only spoke of Jesus, but of a proper way to live and to love each other on the journey. Jesus discipled, Paul discipled personally and through letters.

Now my question, how do we disciple one another, how are we encouraging growth in less mature and stimulate a deeper walk with one another? Not everyone is self motivated and in lower periods of life seem to lack in regular participation of reading God's word. Should we consider a regular reading together. Maybe not a full blown in depth inductive study, but enough to feed our spirit as our bodies are being fed in our fellowship. Like I said, I've been pondering over this, any thoughts?

--Vickie

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Considering the "big" picture I believe we are in the infancy stage of this new walk that does not include the institution as we all knew it. I am still spreading my wings and learning things just walking with Jesus more closely. Our discussions stimulate me to study and ponder things all the time. Could I learn from reading together? of course. How we disciple each other? You disciple to me all the time. Your experiences and perspective teach me new things every time we meet. Knowing you are in prayer for me and my family teaches me about family and connectivity. Just being aware that you are aware of me is a lesson in how we are to walk this path together. The studies you pass along are invaluable to me. See, I think we are for the most part unaware of the disciplining we're doing for each other. Probably a notion we get from the past when we had our 45 minute Bible class. Now we have a 24/7 Bible lesson. Everyone around us is learning something from us. Good or bad. We are disciplining constantly.

Those are my thoughts.

Hope they help.

--Phil

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I usually hesitate about mandatory group readings because it feels too much like the structure that I left. However, there is great benefit in reading together and studying together. I do love to read and discuss the word when I feel motivated or led to. I don't like it when it is part of a regimen. I realize that I need to grow and how much god can teach me. I would like to study/ discuss together in some format definitely. I am not sure what form that should take, because I would hate for it to feel like an obligation. again, that shows the growth that needs to take place in me.

--Kristen

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It is very interesting that you would send this out this week, because I just recently received a "poll" from Colorado House Church about what our biggest challenge as a church is. Their poll options were all about "doing" church (e.g. the kids, giving, leadership, etc.). I responded to the poll by saying that we were not challenged by the how's of "doing" church, rather we were more challenged by "being" the church (i.e. discipling one another and encouraging one another to tell others the message of Jesus).

Your concern about our discipling one another is a valid one. (Not that you need me to validate your concerns.) I am with you in your desire to disciple each other (AND others). This may be a new season that Father is leading us into. At the risk of seeming to glorify myself, I will admit that I am personally in a great season in my walk with Father. This year has been a great one as I have been enabled by the Spirit to spend time with Father practically every morning of the year thus far. I am connected to Father more intimately than perhaps ever before. I am currently not in need of any outside assistance with my spiritual development. Of course, that is not entirely true, for I am always in need of others. I meet with one close brother every week for breakfast and we encourage one another. Our weekly gatherings are tremendously encouraging as well. I guess it is more correct for me to say that I am not in need of a corporate Bible study to fan the flames of my spiritual fire.

My personal situation notwithstanding, I am sure there are others within our circle of friends who may be in more need of corporate times of study and prayer. (I'm sure I will enter a season such as that sometime in the near future.) So with your concerns and my agreement, if the others in our group confirm this concern for a focus on discipleship in our group, then I say we should all individually (and corporately) seek the Spirit's guidance in what we should do to this end. I do not think that we should come up with our own ideas about how to do this. Rather I think we should wait on Father to let us know what to do. For years in the institution when we felt like there was something missing, we invented a program or ministry to meet that supposed need without waiting on Father. Most of the time, the results were dismal.

So I suggest that we seek the Spirit's guidance on this and when we get together for our next dinner we discuss this and pray about it together. Perhaps Father will lead us to a specific thing we can do to aide us in our spiritual formation and maturity in Jesus.

I love you in Jesus and am glad that we are walking this journey together. I so look forward to where Father will lead us next.

Simply,

Jason

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After I talked to you and Jason today while we were over Debbie's house, I told you that I would send a reply or "Give you my thoughts"about how we are currently discipling one another.

Currently we teach one another:

1. through the blog


2. through conversations when we are with each other


3. by referring one another to read certain books and sharing what we learned


4. by serving others as a community, like at Debbie's house today

Jesus discipled by being with his students. They heard him teach. Sometimes his students asked questions that he later answered.The disciples saw Jesus heal people, serve people, love people, rebuke people, etc. The disciples learned a lot by seeing and doing.

For me personally, I think we can grow more by doing rather than just studying until we are blue in the face. That is my past experience, constant study and bible lessons but little doing as a community. However, at the same time, for me, I personally need to be a disciplined person whether it's through reading scripture, praying, fasting, self-denial, etc. Right now I can't draw from self-discipline internally and I need it from an external source, like you and the rest of the Way.

Since I asked you guys to pray for me last week, I have read a couple of times (in Acts) and prayed some more regularly. Part of the reason why is because I want to do these things, and the other reason is because I know someone is going to ask me about it. In the end, I hope that the outward discipline provided from my family in God will eventually be internalized and become a part of my life again.

I think God has blessed us as a group. God has helped me so much through all of you already. God will continue to teach each one of us through our conversations and the sharing of our lives together.

Yes, I think we can or should read scripture sometimes as a group if that is what we feel led to do. Otherwise, God has been and continues to teach us each day. In addition, each person in the group will have different needs that will require different nurturing.

Don't forget to ask me how I am doing. It is the only way that the outward discipline will work.
I hope this was at least somewhat helpful. Please feel free to comment back if think I need to think about something else.

Love you all,

Chad

Today We Said Goodbye...To Jack...

This Morning we buried the vessel my wife's daddy once inhabited. We said goodbye to the body we once shook hands with and loved on.

We know full well Jack is with Jesus now pain free and fully healthy. Jack was ready to leave this life though we were not. I sang a song my sister wrote titled "Daddy Don't Let Go" to open the service. It was my honor to do so. Jack will be holding my wife's hand as long she yet breathes.
The lesson Jack leaves for us to use is compassion. That's the word I use to describe my father-in-law. My wife and her sister learned the lesson well and it was amazing to see it put to use beginning 2 years ago when he was diagnosed. They both dropped what they were doing and devoted their lives to their daddy, doctor's appointments, running errands and all that goes with an illness as horrible as cancer. The past 4 weeks were especially difficult as he declined rapidly. My wife went to Oklahoma to spend the last weeks with her daddy. She and her sister, Julie, ministered to their dad 24/7 without fail making him as comfortable as they could. They learned compassion from him and delivered it beautifully back to him when it really counted.

Today the 2nd of May we said our goodbye's for now. We will be together again... Thanks Jack, for teaching us so much, especially compassion.

phil

"Act Like Christians"???

Tuesday night, as I ate my value meal number 3 , I read with sadness in my heart an article in the Tennessean (announced on the front page!) entitled, "Act like Christians, Two Rivers factions are urged."

For those of you who have read this blog and looked upon us with some disbelief (and perhaps even some judgment) as we cried out for the dissolution of the "institutional" version of Jesus' church, here is yet some more evidence for the need of such demise.

Online at the Tennessean's website you can read the article, along with over 100 comments from readers about the article. As you will see most of the comments are from people who are absolutely sick of the church as an institution. One would guess that most of these commentators are not believers in Jesus. Now this is yet another huge reason for those who are disenchanted and/or disenfranchised by the church NOT to seek the only One who can save them. Why? Because of the way those whom he saved are acting.

The article reeks of institutionalism and has very little to do with the true organism of the body of Jesus. At what point in Jesus' ministry did he foresee the need for "Ministers of Conflict Resolution?" One quote from the article reverberates strongly against the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers when it says, "Once a church gets past 600 in attendance, it has to have staff-initiated leadership, if not staff-led, he said. 'It's bigger than a volunteer-led organization can handle.'"

WHAT?!?!?

Since when is the church supposed to be an organization? Jesus did not die to initiate an organization. "Upon this rock I will build my church," cried Jesus. I shutter to imagine what he must think of we who have wrenched the simplicity of the church out of the hands of its Leader who so perfectly equips us to build up the body and turned it over to professionals with degrees in business and conflict resolution.

I pray for my brothers and sisters at Two Rivers. Personally, I know one person who is a member of that congregation; other than that, I know nothing about them. Will you join me in my prayers for them? I do not care what they have done or what is going on right now. All I want is for the desire to protect any personal agendas (a.k.a. “personal kingdoms”) to die and be refined by Jesus, the Lord of the universe.

It is high time for the church to stop shooting herself in the foot as we try to advance the kingdom of God in this world. People have had enough. I’ve had enough. It’s time to return to the simplicity of walking daily with Jesus and his followers.

There is too much at stake.

Simply,
Jason

Lord, Save Us from Your Followers

I was walking in Sam's tonight and just by chance looked over and saw a book on an end cap. It's title was certainly catchy: Lord, Save Us from Your Followers. I instantly liked the title and was intrigued. Because I was in Sam's with my grandmother, I decided not to look at it and get involved in a conversation about it right then, so I waited until I got home tonight to look it up online. Among other things, I found a short video interview clip from the Today Show on NBC. What do you think?

Simply,
Jason

Simplicity is Key

Most of us have at one time or another been confounded (befuddled) by the complexity of the American government. What started off as an intent to wrench the control of government by a solitary king thousands of miles away, gently laying it in the hands of "the people" has somehow turned sour. Somewhere between the Declaration of Independence and the Iraq War, our government has forgotten the simplicity with which our founding fathers approached the role of government in our newborn country. Their message: freedom. What we have now is perhaps a more powerful (some would say demanding) form of government than we did under King George of England in the 1760s. Sure, we do have freedom, but I'd argue that it is not the type of freedom envisioned by the founding fathers. After all, the Declaration of Independence was only one page long. While it was not a governing document, it declared the intent of our new nation to be just that: a new nation built on the premise of freedom.

Where have we gone to get a "simplified" tax return that is now longer than the Declaration of Independence? Why is it that when one buys a home, government forms wreak of waste and mismanagement? And what of the endless taxes we pay and offices we hold that seemingly only perpetuate the jobs it takes to collect and hold them? Where has the idea of simplicity gone?

It wouldn't take one very long to realize an eery similarity between what has occurred in our country over the last 230 years and what has occurred in the church over the last 2000 years. You see, Jesus declared our independence from sin and its death sentence. It held a powerful grip on us and was a heavy load under which to walk. Jesus came and changed all that. He wrenched control of sin away from Satan and his demons and brought us into a new relationship and presence with Almighty Jehovah. His message: believe in me!

Turn on any TV preacher today and you're likely to hear a much more complex message. Go to your local congregation next Sunday and listen carefully to the teachers and preachers. Are they preaching the simple gospel or the complex gospel? Somewhere between the Day of Pentecost and The Purpose Driven Life a shift has occurred. We have shifted from a simple faith lived by simple people that revolutionized communities, states, nations, and the world, to a  complex religious system that requires professionals to operate it and leaves many frustrated, breathless, and fed up.

Today Americans still want freedom. We love the benefits of freedom, but we are weary of all the complexities that surround that freedom. Similarly, Christians still want Jesus. We love Jesus and the new life he brings, but we too are weary of the complexities that surround that freedom in Christ. Scripture clearly teaches that where the Spirit of Jesus is there is freedom. Can all the complexities of religious obligation be "freedom?" 

Go back and read the gospels. Re-read Paul's letters to the churches in the first century. They were--among other things--overwhelmingly simple. It is we who have complicated the simple gospel of Jesus. We have made it Jesus PLUS. Jesus PLUS anything is heresy. Jesus PLUS anything is not the gospel. Jesus called us to repent for the kingdom was at hand and even now is here. The work God requires of his children is to simply believe in the one he sent: Jesus! 

I send out an invitation to all Christians (and those who have not yet committed themselves to Jesus) to return to the simplicity of faith in Jesus. Leave religion behind with all of its forms and empty rituals that keep you busy and feeling guilty. Jesus is here and is beckoning you to return to a simpler walk with him--daily! Oh, and by the way, there are millions of us who are ready to walk this journey with you. Freedom smells so sweet.

Simply,

Jason

What Is the Gospel?

Today I have a word from the Scriptures I want to share to encourage you and make you smile. I took the liberty of switching all the personal pronouns from "he/him" to Jesus to make it more powerful about Jesus. (This is from Paul's letter to the Colossians.) Here it is:

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Jesus all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Jesus and for Jesus. Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things hold together. And Jesus is the head of the body, the church; Jesus is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything Jesus might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus, and through Jesus to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through Jesus' blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Jesus' physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven!

You see, the gospel is all about Jesus--not church, not rules, not religion. And we are to be all about spreading the gospel. So if we want to spread the gospel appropriately, let's be all about Jesus--not church, not rules, not religion. Which gospel are you spreading?

Simply,

Jason

Where is Jesus in Your World?

Remember that children's book called "Where's Waldo?" that showed pictures of huge crowds with a guy in a striped shirt that you had to find?

As I sat down to think about something to write tonight, that old book came to mind. This morning I was listening to The God Journey podcast and something they said was that Christians are to be the expression of God in our communities. While I have thought about the concept before, the way they put it hit me in a different way than ever before.

If it were possible to take a snapshot of your daily life and we could post the picture on the Internet for everyone to see, would anyone see Jesus in your world? If so, how long would it take to find Him? If you search through the picture on this post long enough, you'll eventually see the traditional face of Jesus. (He really is there. I promise.)

I would love to think that if the above mentioned photograph were taken of my life, Jesus would be easy to spot. This year has been a good year for me, spiritually speaking. I committed myself to become a better disciple of Jesus. That meant that I would walk closer to Him so that I could more easily see Him at work and join Him. Each day I begin with time in the Scriptures and a brief discussion with Father over a cup of coffee. This time each day has allowed me to refocus on what is most important: serving others. Of course, I have yet to achieve the status of "servant" among those who know me--I have a long way to go--but the little things are coming up more often.

I had a thought on my way home from work today that Father probably works through us in ways we don't even know and don't understand. I know for me, I always try to explain the ways Father is working in me and I want to understand it all. And when I do not understand, I always demand to know the "why" of all He does. But like an earthly parent, the "why's" do not always get answered. I'm okay with not knowing everything. Sure, I'd like to know, but I'm okay that I don't. Either way, I'm trying to stay close to Jesus, walking step for step with him so that I can do what He is doing.

So, if that picture were taken of your life today, where would Jesus be?

Simply,
Jason

Why Blogging?

Many folks are beginning to enjoy this relatively new medium called "blogging." When we started our blog almost 20 months ago, we had no idea how many people or who would be reading it. Now we know that we have people from literally all over the world who stumble across and read our blog entries.

Blog is a shortened version of the phrase "web log." It is very similar to a journal or even like the diaries of old. Of course, the big difference is that a blog--unlike a diary--is not relegated to be read by one individual, but rather to be shared with the entire world!

We just recently began tracking our blog traffic with Google Analytics. Since April 9, we've had 81 visits and 106 pageviews by 39 visitors from eight different countries (e.g. Brazil, Canada, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguary, and Singapore!) . The details Google Analytics provide are amazing and much too much to share here.

Blogging provides people the outlet to share their ideas, feelings, and points of view in a relatively safe environment. Blogging has become a fast-growing medium that is gaining respect from journalists all over the globe. Before blogging, writers and reporters had to wait until the next day or month to publish their thoughts in tomorrow's newspaper or next month's magazine. Today, they can publish their thoughts in a matter of seconds--literally!

I teach an 8th grade reading class at Gra-Mar Middle School and I want them to know how important this medium is. While this particular blog's subject matter doesn't appeal to the whole world, it does give them a good idea of what blogging is all about. Thank you for taking the time to read and post comments on our blog.

Simply,
Jason

Law

I've worked in the criminal justice system for a number of years so I'm reasonably familiar with law.

Man's laws are instituted for the benefit of society. Let's call this the Law of Society. Without law there would be chaos. Law provides for the punishment of the guilty and the protection of the innocent. The basis of our laws in America are judaeo / christian values with a Roman influenced framework. These laws set a standard for a society to live by. They teach us right form wrong (the do's and dont's of our society if you will). Our laws in the U.S. have many checks and balances to insure the likely hood that the guilty will be punished and the innocent will be set free. Our laws have leniency and mercy built into them. There is a range built into the punishment for each crime (different levels of punishment for the same crime). The application of the law is left to the discretion of human beings appointed to positions governing the law. So judges can be as merciful or harsh as they choose. There are gray areas in our laws that have allowed many arguments in court rooms across the country as to the interpretation of these laws.

On the other hand:

God's laws are instituted for the benefit of the entire world. Let's call this the Law of Life. God's law like man's provides for the punishment of the guilty and the protection of the innocent. God's law like man's set the standard to live by. It teaches us right form wrong. This is where the similarities end. God's law does not need checks and balances because God's law is perfect. The application of God's law is not left to the discretion of men but is God's alone which insures the guilty will be punished and the innocent will be set free. There are no gray areas in God's law so at judgment there will be no arguments. The punishment for violation of God's law will be the same for everyone convicted.

Sounds harsh doesn't it? Considering the fact that with the right attitude we all have the ability to comply with man's law but none of us has the ability to comply with God's perfect law.

But wait! There was one man who fulfilled all the requirements of God's law for every one. Jesus was His name. He instituted a new law. Let's call this the Law of Liberty. This law was instituted for the benefit of everyone who accepts that: Jesus fulfilled God's law for us, endured the just punishment for the guilty and is alive right now with God His Father. This law abounds with grace and mercy so that we don't have to face punishment because of our lack of ability to comply with the perfect law. This law provides us with a 24/7 legal advisor (the Holy Spirit) who continually teaches us right form wrong and an advocate who sits in the judgment seat (Jesus). Now God's law is written on our hearts so that we can love God and our neighbor with a totally new perspective.

Explanation of Intent

Over the past year or so, we have had many things posted here about the contradictions between the church of the modern age (the "institutional church") and the church as described in the New Testament. Many have accused us of having vendettas or grudges against the institutional church. Those accusations are mostly untrue. When we have stepped over the line in our summary of the current state of the church, we have quickly apologized publicly in this forum.

Two good friends of mine (Curt & Lisa Cathcart) recently gave me a new book to read called The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. I have only made it into chapter 2 so far, but I am intrigued by the book (a full book review will be forthcoming). There is something in the preface that resonated with me so much that I had to post it here. I say that THIS statement is one that we can echo as followers of the Way. Read this as if it came directly from us. Tell me how it hits you...

...we are advocating a wholesale change in the way Christians are doing and being the church, and because of this ours is not necessarily a popular message.We've become disturbingly aware through personal experience and observation that those who advocate such a thoroughgoing recalibration of the church will not always be met with open arms by the prevailing church leadership. And yet we feel compelled to lovingly challenge the church to dismantle many of the arcane institutional structures it is now beholden to and to bravely face the future with imagination and courage.

Please be assured that we have not come to this place because of some liberal critique of the church's supposed outdated theology, or merely because of fashionable anti-institutionalism, but rather from a direct sense of obligation to the primal evangelical yearning--that the gospel of Jesus Christ be heard and responded to in our time and in our place. If we do sound somewhat revolutionary, we would like to think we are promoting the selfsane revolution that was precipitated through the world-shattering life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Christians movement.

While we admit to being unashamedly radical (in the true sense of that word) in our reexamination of everything in relation to standard church practice, we are nonetheless quite deeply committed to the historic, orthodox, Christian faith. Don't be fooled by our somewhat unorthodox approach to life, mission, and church. While we are unafraid to critique church traditions, we are devoted to the Scriptures and unmoving on the core Christian doctrines. So, while you are reading this [blog] and perhaps finding yourself bristling with objections, please be assured that what we are espousing is not unbiblical. Unconventional for the church in the West? Yes. Unbiblical? No.

Simply,

Jason

"Why House Church Isn't the Answer"

[This is a letter I emailed to Wayne Jacobsen in response to an article he wrote entitled "Why House Church Isn't the Answer" at Lifestream. I encourage you to read his article and THEN read my response. Wayne is a co-author of the excellent book So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore and a co-host of The God Journey podcast, an awesome weekly podcast that discusses following Jesus without the religious trappings.]

Wayne,

I have been a listener for almost a year now to your and Brad's podcast and I love it. I listen every week. When I first found it, I downloaded every episode onto my iPod and listened to them back to back for hours as I drove around Middle Tennessee on the job. Good stuff. I found out about you through Plain Truth magazine when they ran your article "Why I Don't Go to Church Any More" and subsequently after reading the Jake book. I consider your ministry a blessing.

I spent the better part of 13 years as a vocational minister, getting paid to do my job (and other people's jobs) as a follower of Jesus. In September of 2006, I left the "ministry" and the "church" at the same time (let the reader understand). For months prior to that, two couples who are our dearest friends and my wife and I had been gathering about once a month in our homes for dinner, Communion, and to pray for God's leading in the church I was pastoring (and they were a part of). One couple felt led to leave that congregation much earlier than the other couple, and then finally we left. But after we all we free of the institutional system of following Jesus, we continued to meet in each others homes, but much more frequently. We all decided that church wasn't something we "went to" any more. We began learning what it meant to live out the life of Jesus every day as individuals and as a larger family. We began to realize that church is the EFFECT of lives lived in pursuit of Jesus in the presence of others rather than the CAUSE of the great change in the world we had all hoped for.

We now live out that life of simply following Jesus together every day. Many others have decided to walk the journey along with us, choosing to gather with us for dinner occasionally. We call ourselves a simple church (ekklesia is the truest sense of the term). If one were to classify us, we would be classified as a house church, but we use that term loosely so that we do not get "attached" to the house.

Since we feel like a part of the "house church" scene (or movement as it is sometimes mistakenly called), I want to take issue with a couple of things you stated in the article "Why House Church Isn't the Answer" on your Lifestream website. You said that, "...they have turned towards house church as the answer for authentic church life. Unfortunately, they are likely to be just as disappointed there." Certainly, if a house church is set up as a smaller version of the institutional church, people are going to be disappointed. If people try to manage a house church as a "thing" they will indeed be disappointed. However, if they see themselves as a larger family in the body of Christ who gathers occasionally to prop each other up, worship, enjoy a meal with the Lord's supper, sing songs to Father, etc. the disappointment is not as likely to be felt. After all, how can you be disappointed if you did not expect anything? Those who are disappointed in house church will be so because they were looking for structure and programs to do for them what they should be doing by themselves.

You also said, "It quickly becomes evident that meeting in a home isn't necessarily all it's cracked up to be. What do we do about the people who only want to use the group for their own needs? Where can we find enough people willing to pay the price to share that kind of life together? What do we do when the meeting is boring and we're tired of staring at each other?" This assumes that the house church is designed around a meeting. For the people with whom we gather each week, it isn't a meeting to be bored by. It isn't a program to be disappointed over when it doesn't "flow." For us, we see it as a family getting together for dinner and catching up. It is a time to celebrate our commonality in Jesus through the Lord's supper and the love feast. I know of no house church in our immediate area that experiences what you describe. Not to say that doesn't happen, because I know it does. It is hard for many who think house church is the answer to shake the institutional dust off their feet before moving on to simply follow Jesus in the presence of others.

Later in the article you state, "Changing the venue from a building to a home doesn't solve this problem. If we're going to seek to find church life by having our needs accommodated by others, we will find moments of fulfillment mingled with long, dry periods of discontent and frustration." You are correct in saying the venue doesn't fix anything. But that (the venue) is the underlying assumption you make about house churches that I think is wrong. Perhaps the house churches you know of are just smaller versions of "big church" that meet in a home. However, I must let you know that what we experience is so very far from that. We are not focused on the meeting or a program. We are simply people walking this journey to Jesus together and watching to see how Father draws his people from all over to serve Him and worship Him collectively and individually.

One of the greatest statements in the article is when you said, "Church life grows out of a group of people who are focused on Jesus. Focus on the church, and you will always be disappointed. Focus on Jesus and you will find him building the church all around you." This is the point! Our fellowship is focused on Jesus, not the church. But I guess because we are considered as a "house church", I feel somewhat responsible to defend the fact that while many house churches are institutional disasters on a small scale, many are not at all.

Why did I write this? Is it to defend house church as the perfect model of church? No. There is no perfect model. As you wrote in the article, "Jesus did not leave us with a model to build, but a guide to follow." I wrote to remind you that just because one group of people who call themselves a house church have done it and found themselves wanting, doesn't mean that all followers of Jesus who gather in homes under the house church label are experiencing the things you conclude. Furthermore, I wish that all followers of Jesus were able to experience the life of Christ in the presence of others like we do. As we gather each week, we look forward to seeing each other, eating dinner, catching up, singing together, praying together, etc. We do not look forward to "church." We are the church.

Simply,
Jason

Warning! Do Not Read Pagan Christianity!

Redemption through Relationship

I found this video at SimplyFollow.com and then again on YouTube.com. Watch and listen as you see how Father reached out to someone through a Christian friend who cared enough to point him to Jesus. It is about 8 minutes long. Watch it all. The last statement he makes is amazing!

Pray without ceasing

Roughly 8 months ago my wife and I began praying each day before we face the world. I gotta tell you talking to Father first thing in the morning is the only way to begin the day. Here's how I imagine it, My dad had the softest, peaceful and most sincere voice I ever heard before or since he joined Father in heaven almost 12 years ago. Hearing the soothing voice of my heavenly Father gives me peace, reassurance and courage to face whatever comes my way. Much like hearing my earthly dad only better.

Let me encourage you, if you don't already, to begin everyday with a conversation with Father. I promise you're day will be better and you're walk closer.

phil

Interpreting the Bible

I have an interesting topic to blog about and I hope that you will engage me in this and we will have a lot of comments on this subject. The subject is interpreting the Bible.

I grew up in a "churched" family and I received my first Bible before I could read. I also remember receiving a really nice leather bound New American Standard Bible when I was baptized at age 9. (I still have that Bible.) I grew up in a fellowship of Christians who were known as great students of the Bible. We had Sunday morning Bible classes. We had sermons that studied the Bible. We had Sunday night Bible studies. We had Wednesday night Bible studies. We even had the occasional informal Bible study in a home. Whew!

During all those Bible studies, I was taught to study and interpret one way (the right way, of course). I am coming to a (new) understanding that the way I always interpreted the Bible is dead wrong.

Apostolic example. Necessary inference. Direct command. This was the three-pronged hermeneutic I was taught. While it sounds good on the surface, below lurks some very scary (read: heretical) conclusions about what the Scriptures tell us.

Before I go into explaining the new ways and methods of interpretation, I'd like to open it up to your comments. HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE BIBLE?

(Click on the number of comments below and leave your answer to this question.)

Simply,
Jason

Wonderful Day of Worship

Most people, myself included, have at one time believed Worship to God was an event that was to be attended. We called it "worship service". I have re-learned over the last couple of years that in fact worship to God is a lifestyle. First and foremost God certainly deserves much more that a couple of hours of our time each week. That's a big "duh". To go with that , a life lived in worship to God, is a life of joy. Isn't that what God wants for his people?

Yesterday, the 29th of March, our CIA, Christians in Action, group spent the morning in worship to God by assisting 2 widow's get their yards in shape for spring. Lawn mowing, weed eating, hedge trimming and all that goes with was done for these 2 very sweet women.

Our God, in his infinite wisdom, knows how to supply the joy I spoke of earlier. You see, for me, I was the one being blessed way more than the widow's. My worship brought much joy to my heart. Understand our lawn work had little to do with the worship, It was being in the presence of these women, giving them our most precious gift, our time, was the worship of the day. Yes, the yard's look better, but our hearts are healthier, our minds are more focused and alert and the joy God has given us, is greater that anything.

So this Sunday morning we are reading, praying and talking of spiritual things in our home, in our sweats, sipping our coffee, resting in the arms of Jesus. With Jesus in our home this morning, there's no other place I'd rather be.

what should we DO?

There is always a lot of talk about what we should be "doing" as Christians. I read an interesting little story in the Gospel of John today about this subject and thought I'd attempt to encourage you with it today.

It is recorded in the 6th chapter of John that Jesus is approached by some people who were amazed at his miracles. They engage Jesus in a discussion about which works God wanted his followers to be involved in. Jesus' answer was simple, straightforward, and completely against everything these people probably had ever been taught about working for God (probably against everything you've ever been taught about works, too!).

"Well, what do we do then to get in on God's works?" they ask. Jesus' oft overlooked answer was, "Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God's works." In other words, "Believe me." Jesus simply wants us to believe him. Not to move to Africa. Not to evangelize everyone we meet. Not to feed the homeless. Not to DO anything. He simply wants us to believe him.

Now I know what you are saying--especially those of us who are either recovering religious people or current religious people--"What about all the things Jesus told us to do?" It is true that Jesus told us to do a lot of things, but those things are not the first things on our "to do" list in our spiritual lives. When we start with the things we are to be doing without first doing the one thing God wants us to DO (stay with me), we get our actions out of whack and can end up being very far away from what God actually wants out of us. As someone once said, "It is altogether possible to do exactly the things God wants you to do and not be the person God wants you to be."

It all starts with believing in the One God sent: Jesus. There are thousands--perhaps millions--of people who claim Jesus as Lord who are walking around "doing" what he said to do, but they still do not believe Jesus. How can this be? I dare say that a person who serves food to the homeless, but cusses out the guy who cuts him off on the highway does not really believe Jesus. I dare say that a woman who takes clothing over to the foster kids across the street, yet covets her neighbor's new car does not yet truly believe Jesus.

You see, when we truly believe Jesus--when we cast our lot with him--we are at his mercy and guidance to do whatever he tells us to do. If we keep control of our own lives without truly believing Jesus, we can still do the surface things he tells us to do, but we cannot experience true fellowship with him. It all begins with BELIEF. When we truly believe Jesus, that is when the works of God begin. Don't buy it? Go read the Gospel of John today and pay attention to Jesus' words in chapter 6.

Stop doing something! Sit there and believe today. You'll be doing plenty soon.

Simply,
Jason

Worship Is Not Music

There is a really good blog site at http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/. It is managed by Roger Thoman. I recommend you check it out. Here is a post I read there today and thought it was worthy or reposting here. I wonder what your thoughts are about this idea that worship is not (exclusively) music. After all, people still refer to times of singing as worship and leave out the other stuff

Simply,
Jason

Dave Wainscott has put together some excellent quotes around the topic of “Worship is not Music.”

“It would be true to say that during the last twenty-five years or so amongst those churches which would own the label 'evangelical', a significant change in understanding has taken place over the meaning of the word 'worship'. If a few decades ago the person leading the service had said, 'We are now going to have a time of worship', most people would have looked on in utter bewilderment. Now everyone would know exactly what to expect: a lengthy time of contemporary Christian songs, maybe interspersed with a few prayers and exhortations, perhaps with hands held up in the air and a far-away look in the eyes.”

We have, first of all, limited the concept of worship to an event that takes place for twenty minutes rather than a life that is devoted in love and surrender to a compelling God.

Even worse, we have reduced corporate worship to times in which music must be present. Further, we have become so dependent on great-sounding music to drive the worship times that very little true heart-worship is needed. In fact, some would say, the result is a steep decline in actual corporate “worship” and an increase of music-moved emotion.

I share this only because simple/organic churches have the opportunity to re-capture the heart of worship. We want to re-affirm that the Christian life of worship is one that is not segmented into times of worship and times of non-worship. Every day, and every gathering (whether at home, or with friends, or with nonChristians, or with community) is an opportunity for worship of many different kinds.

AND, when we do gather together and find ourselves expressing love-sick worship toward God with our hands, lips, body, soul, and spirit… we can recover heart-driven worship. We can learn the wonder of a small group of believers who have developed the daily discipline of turning their hearts toward God in adoration coming together to do the same corporately. In that time, music can be good but it is not essential. Spoken praise works, psalms read works, silence works, spontaneous non-professional singing works, poetry works. When our hearts are driving worship the external forms become far less important than the inner longings that truly do usher in a deep conscious sense of God’s presence.

I love worship. And I love music. But I long to see our gatherings re-capture the numinous awe of God simply around the fact that a group of Jesus-lovers have gathered who are in awe of Him.

When the music fades / All is stripped away / And I simply come / Longing just to bring / Something that's of worth / That will bless Your heart I bring You more than a song / For a song in itself / Is not what You have required / You search much deeper within / Through the way things appear / You're looking into my heart I'm coming back to the heart of worship / And it's all about You / It's all about You, Jesus

Mass Media vs. One on One

I ran across this study during my reading this morning and I believe we should pay attention to what it reveals to us.

When born-again baby busters were asked to identify the activity, ministry event, or person most directly responsible for their decision to accept Jesus Christ, 71 percent listed an individual contact. In the age of mass media and large events one would think the more eyeballs the more impact, not so, radio, television and tracts accounted for less than one-half of 1 percent of born again busters.

Conclusion: We must be talking about Jesus face to face with people. The media of today is not working. As Jesus demonstrated time and time again, showing someone you care for them is the absolute best way to reach them.

I've been to Honduras some 12 times over the years and have seen this concept become reality. We fed and built homes for the poor, after their needs were addressed, then and only then would we introduce them to Jesus. They were much more receptive to the Gospel when they knew we really cared.

Evangelism is about relationships, not crowds. For some this takes them way out of their comfort zone, consider this, the price of inaction is people's souls. You and I may be someone's only chance to hear about the love of Jesus. If you will ask God to remove fear and replace it with courage, God will grant that request. Share Jesus with someone today!


phil

Reluctant Fellowship

Something came to my mind this morning and then as I spent time reading Scripture today, it was given an exclamation point by Jesus. I want to share it with you. It is about fellowship and our reluctance to be a part of it from time to time in our lives.

It occurs to me that when things are going well in my life--physically, psychologically, spiritually, etc.--I desire the fellowship of others. I like to be around my family. I like to be around my friends. I like to be with my church family, too. There is something about being "right" with God that makes me desire to be closer to other people on a regular basis. Specifically, with the people with whom I am walking this journey in the kingdom of God--the people of the Way.

However, what also occurs to me is that when things are not well in my life--physically, psychologically, spiritually, etc.--I do not desire the fellowship of others so much. When I am sick, I naturally do not desire to be around others. When I am "in the dumps," I do not want to be around other people.  And when I am not walking in the light, I do not really want to be around others who are. Specifically, with the people with whom I am walking this journey in the kingdom of God--the people of the Way. 

As I was reading from the Gospel of  John today, I noticed something that put the exclamation point to my thoughts. You see, this woman from Samaria comes out to the city well around noon to draw water. Twice each day, morning and evening, women came to draw water. This woman came at noon, however, probably to avoid meeting people because of her reputation--she had been married five times and was currently shacking up with someone. Jesus gave this woman an extraordinary message about fresh and pure water that would quench her thirst forever. This unexpected fellowship with Jesus was just what she needed to change her life forever.

As I walk this simple journey of faith with other people of the Way, I cannot help but notice that ebb and flow of people who fall in and out of regular fellowship with other people on the journey. Of course, we are not defined by our gatherings--our gatherings help us define ourselves. For true Christians, a gathering with others is a brief part of what being a Christian is really all about. We meet to encourage each other, enjoy fellowship, and pray together for the Spirit’s anointing on our lives so that we can continue living the life of Christ every day. Participating in our gatherings is not an excuse to opt out of letting Jesus live through you every other day of the week.

Recently, I have had some people on my heart who have not been gathering with us regularly any more. I would venture a guess that in some of these cases--certainly not all of them--these individual followers of Jesus are experiencing some sort of shortfall in an area of their lives--perhaps it is physical, maybe it's psychological, or more likely it may be spiritual. I encourage these individuals to consider the benefit of regular fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Just as the Samaritan woman at the well avoided fellowship, she wasn't able to get her life back in order without an encounter with Jesus.

Let me encourage those who are not in regular fellowship with other followers of Jesus with these words: you need an encounter with Jesus. He makes all things new. He heals. He forgives. He provides. He loves. He listens. He cares. He disciplines. He restores. Come to Jesus and allow him to return you to your former state--even better, allow him to change you forever into a better person, one who walks in Jesus every day.