something that came to mind a couple days ago

[buildthefarm]

ok so i regularly have great ideas or so i think! lol when i have an idea it always grows so big in my head that i tend to forget where the idea even started. i had one of these the other day, about a better way to have church. and then it got so big it changed the entire world in like 20 seconds in my head before i ever did anything lol

so i was driving, as i often am, and it came to mind that maybe instead of church service some day i awta do a study of all the things that Jesus commands us to do in the Bible, then take that list and take my kids and go do one. feed the hungry, clothe the naked, wash someone feet, pray for the sick and lay hands on them? idk i think those were all from Jesus himself. and i know there are many others thats just off top of my head but the point is to go and do. not sit and be catered to.

it hit me later when i was wondering how churches got to be what they are now that one of the important things Jesus did was teach about the kingdom. and so there is certainly a place for teaching to a crowd!! Jesus did that a lot. but there is so much more and the church doesnt seem to meet the need. i know that churches do and give and so on but how many churches go out and do work in the community as often as they have sunday service?

next thing i knew in my head all the churches just up and disbanded for the new model. and anytime of any day believers would just show up, look at the list and go do the work of the kingdom.

im not sure thats actually going to happen but there is something there to be extracted and used for Gods glory

[warrior]

You are not alone in questioning church which to some seems odd as we are in the age of the church (Christ's bride) until the return of the Groom. However, the meaning of the word has changed. Jesus told us that whenever 2 or 3 gather together in his name, He is there. The apostolic blueprint for church is layed out in Acts 2. Somehow it has come to mean a building containing a hierarchical structure of leaders who organise and in some cases do religion for us on our behalf - somewhat like the temples in which pharisees kept people from God. Somewhat sweeping generalisation but there it is. I contend that we are nearing the end of this age and that God is cleansing the church. God finds a way. The traditionalists see religion in decline but I see things differently. Your idea is similar to ideas many believers are having - to get out of the 'box' and into the world where the unsaved are. There is a massive growth in street ministries, internet ministries and home churching. To go out and be Christlike is exactly what Paul found himself doing. Every men's group, Christian group etc is a church in the true sense of the word. Jesus sent us out into the nations to make disciples and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit - not into a box to slip on a set of god clothes once a week.
The traditional church must change or perish. It cannot satisfy those who are on fire for God or God himself. There will be a massive growth of 'on fire' Christians. We will be more and more opposed by legalists from traditional churches and we are perhaps more likely to find converts from unbelievers than the lukewarm. It's all in the gospels and people don't change - just their labels. There will be more persecution from powers and authorities. Good coz Jesus' return is getting closer. So yeh we have dreams and visions and a desire in our heart to sow, water, reap and disciple.