Can We Handle the Truth?

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

In his book "Houses that Change the World", Wolfgang Simson quoted an Argentinian Evangelist to make a powerful statement concerning our way of church. Juan Carlos Ortiz once remarked: "There are more than 22,000 denominations in the world. How lucky you are that you happen to be in the one that is right!" Since then we have witnesses an increase of the number anywhere between 24,000 and 30,000.

Have we forgotten the words of our Lord? Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. However, we continue to hold on to our version of the truth. Could it be that the problem we see in many churches is that our steadfast determination to protect our truth is actually keeping the TRUTH from having His way?

From Day 1, I have sought to share with you the things that God is doing in my heart. The problem with that is what I share may seem a little radical. I tend to be very narrow minded in regards to these things. But since you keep coming back to read I feel that I have gained your trust.

What is God doing in me? He's challenging me. He's stirring my heart to look outside of the traditional forms and norms. He's inviting me to join in His way of doing things. Of course...this takes time. I often find myself joining God in what He is already doing and praying that the church will join me as I have joined Him. With all that being said, here's what God is teaching me.

Many people within the church have heard of the Reformation. It refers to the time that God was stirring the heart of Martin Luther in regards to salvation by grace through faith. This is one of the most pivotal moments in the Christian faith. No longer would salvation be tied to works, prayers, offerings, or rituals. The key to salvation that was re-discovered by Martin Luther was GRACE!

Another reformation that happened in the church was a spiritual reformation. The priesthood of all believers led to a greater intimacy with God. It also led to a greater responsibility of each and every believer following after the leadership of God to ministry. Luther's reformation dealt with theology while this 2nd reformation dealt solely with spirituality. As followers of Christ we have come to realize that God has gifted each of us with abilities to be used in His kingdom. We can no longer sit on the sideline and watch ministry being done. No...we should join God in what He is doing.

In spite of all this change, one thing that hasn't changed is the structure. We continue to "do church" inside this marriage of the Old Testament "House of God" mentality to the Jewish synagogue. Therefore, what we participate in on Sunday mornings is a service designed for the people to hear from a particular individual inside a building designed to house God. Think about it! Does this sound New Testament to you?

When we read the Acts of the Apostles we will find that Paul purposefully did the work of the church outside the synagogue. It was his custom to visit there first, but then he would gather together with the believers inside homes or buildings. It seems to me that we have stopped doing what Paul did. Instead, we have moved believers inside and wait for the world to come to us. In doing this, we have trapped the follower of Jesus in a religious system where the greatest attainment becomes church membership.

We have turned the community into a convent. A convent is: 1. A community, especially of nuns, bound by vows to a religious life under a superior. 2. The building or buildings occupied by such a community. Doesn't this sound like church as you know it? Could it be that church as we know it is keeping us from being church as God wants it?

We must be willing to challenge the structure of today's churches. The Bible teaches us that God has given Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the equipping of the body for works of ministry. However, when I step inside a church building all I can find is a pastor(s), some deacons, and the members. We have turned all of our ministry over to a group of professionals and sit back to watch. We have allowed one man to go to God and hear for us just like the Israelites and Moses. But I think that God has a better way.

The question is: Are we ready to turn the church over to the Lordship of Christ? Can we trust that He will give us the overseers and leaders that we need. Can we trust that they will equip us for works of ministry? Can we stop looking at discipleship as something we do in Sunday School and Small Groups and begin to see that the New Testament model for growing in Christ actually came through relationship? I know that what I'm proposing is revolutionary but isn't that the point? Shouldn't we consider starting a revolution or at least a reformation?

I wonder who will join me...
I wonder who would love to see the church become all that she can become...
I wonder...

There is a lot to think about in all of this. There is a lot of work to be done. But I do believe that we have to get rid of the consumer religion that we have created and move into a different era of the church. All the while remembering that Jesus is the WAY.