I recently posted a couple of photos of our meeting location, which I call, "The Net House." (As fishers of men, we gather at The Net House). I realize that it may not seem like much of a meeting house to most folks. In fact, some folks do not even think we are an actual church, because we do not fit the image of a "real church," including the architecture, location, decor, pastoral image, preaching and teaching methods, ministry programs, organizational affiliations.
We have met in private homes, storefronts, Roman Catholic chapels, motel conference rooms, Public Libraries, campground meeting rooms and laundry rooms, secretly in borrowed church basements, camping trailers, public parks, open fields, a church bus, a tavern annex, a train station, tents, a city recreational building as well as really nice and conventional "church" facilities.
We have entertained Christians from other countries, who said that our church atmosphere was more like their churches back in their home countries, which were politically and legally opposed to the gospel message (such as Bulgaria, Russia and Iraq).
I have rented rooms and buildings (sometimes at a high cost), gathered in my home, met secretly and sometimes illegally. I have often wished for a place to meet, to teach, to preach to sing, to praise, to fellowship. Thanks to the vision of other people, we now have property and a facility that provides a warm and conducive setting for all of these, and other activities.
I don't have to get anyone's permission or pay exorbitant amounts or face the threat of being shut down or runaway because of government, disgruntled neighbors, antagonistic enemies of the cross, or nosy, busy bodies.
I can preach or teach or praise whenever I want, for as long as I want, as loudly as I want, whatever God wants. I can't lose my job. If folks don't like the message or the ministry, they can go wherever they want, and I won't chase them down. I care about folks, but I care more about God and pleasing God.
I was blessed to have a very functional and attractive "church" facility, but mostly blessed because of the wonderful believers, which I was allowed to serve as pastor. I have enjoyed the many other venues through the years, but I have always known that the church is not a building made with hands. The church is a local gathering of God's people. I am not afraid of a large congregation, and I am not afraid of a small congregation. What I strive for is a congregation that loves God with their whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and their neighbors as themselves.
I praise the Lord for in-person services and also for online ministry as well. I hope you are part of a local church ministry that would fit into any period of history, on any geographical part of the world. Because the church (and in this sense) the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (earthly and passing blessings), but righteousness, peace and joy.
No comments:
Post a Comment