Twenty years ago, I was one of six ordained pastors on the staff of an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) of about 3,000. In addition to the six of us who were called "Teaching Elders", there were another 12-15 lay people who were called "Ruling Elders". According to the Book of Order of our denomination, we, as Elders, were the only ones who were allowed to officiate or serve communion. If a small group wanted to take communion, they would have to invite one of us to come to their group.
So, this is another way that small groups and house churches are often different. (Although, not every denomination or traditional church has these same "rules") A house church is fully "church" and not just one of the ministries of the larger church. That is, it's members are free to do everything that a "real" church does - including communion and baptism.
Take a look at the video below about college students planting churches on their campuses. About a minute and a half into the video, one of the leaders makes a very important comment: "The moment the works of the Scriptures are taken out of the hands of common people and put in the hands of trained professionals the movement ceases to move forward."
In house churches, "the works of the Scriptures" are placed in the "hands of common people". The priesthood of all believers moves from a theological concept to everyday reality.
What kinds of thoughts and feelings do you have as you watch this video? Pay close attention to the students doing the baptizing.
John
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thoughts and feelings? Just - WOW!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy main thought was, 'Enthusiasm - for Jesus'. We should all be like those students. If we're not, why not? He's the same Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
I'm going to show this video to as many people as I can.
HalleluYah!
I am getting SO PUMPED watching this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what we've been praying for!!
ReplyDeleteCollege/University campuses have notoriously been the breeding ground for the gospel and i think the Father will use them in our generation to spark an EXPLOSION of the Gospel. Let's keep praying for that specifically.
I think it starts with the international students and moves to the local students.
And it HAS to stay simple and organic - if large structured churches move in on it and start trying to control things, the movement will die.
The power of the spirit is evident in this video as well... I actually see and feel life transformation... not just talk and theory, but actual ACTION and PASSION. The Kingdom of God will not grow without the transformative and active power of the Spirit of God PULSING through the veins of His followers.
Make us ALIVE, Father!! Let us radiate you passion so that others would see you and know you as their Creator and Restorer!
Would love to see and hear more!
Tears of Joy!
ReplyDeleteYeah - tears - Im a big softy. The excitement and enthusiasm is beautiful - why do we take all the excitement and joy out of obeying the commands of Jesus?
ReplyDelete(in the voice of Llyod Christmas from Dumb & Dumber) "I LIKE IT A LOT!"
ReplyDeleteComing from a seminary background, I would agree that one of the greatest things about the simple church is that it is the FULL BLOWN CHURCH. And, it is able to do all the things that the traditional and/or high church is able to do. Now, I do think the members have to be seriously devoted to study and utterly dependent upon leadership of the Spirit of God but, when they do this, I'm sure they will flourish just as the Church has for thousands of years. I'm not a promoter of anti-intellectualism or grumbling about trained leaders but I do think that when the Church gets into the Spirit-guided hands of Christ-devoted common people, big things can happen. I pray that that happens here in the islands (HI).
Just got back from vacation and watched this video. WOW, ditto to what Noah said, we been praying for this for years and now "simple church" is happening among the young (non professionals). Look out and rejoice... redemption draws near.
ReplyDeleteI love the enthusisam and full participation by all!! It makes me want to be there and experience His presence with them. I love the zeal of the college students, but get bored and saddened with the lack of it amongst us older supposedly more mature believers who think we know so much. What happens to us? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteChris Jefferies said: "I'm going to show this video to as many people as I can."
ReplyDeleteI love your spontaneous thought, Chris, to pass on this story. Videos like this spread the virus of the priesthood of all believers. As apostolic church planters, one of our most important roles is, I think, to paint the picture of the new (old) thing God is doing.
Can you picture Martin Luther watching this video? :-)
I love the quote the one guy said..."simple church is disciples making disciples making disciples, making disciples, that's it." Wow, sounds like CO2's and 3's to me!
ReplyDelete