My good friend Pam gave me the book Pagan Christianity a few weeks ago. This is a book I have been wanting to read for awhile since most of you know I have a real hard time with the established church system we have become accustomed to. While reading it, I knew I would have to go pick up Viola's newest book, Reimagining Church. So the day after Christmas, I hit about 4 bookstores before I found a copy at a Borders.
I have studied the history of the church and realized what a mess we've made of it, and Pagan Christianity gives you a clear picture on how we came about our traditions and form starting with the beginning of the Catholic Church (really before that) and moving on to the denominations that flowed from the rebellion of many who were dissatisfied with the church throughout the ages.
Reimagining Church shows how the first century church worshiped and gives practical application on how to try and get back to what was established when the first believers came to faith. Not that there really is a cookie cutter form to get back to, but a call to worship in Spirit and Truth. And as we know man is whacked....even though some will try to get back to what was...I'm sure if we are not careful, we'll mess this up too!
For those who are not comfortable with home church, this would be a radical departure from what you have been use to! Since our family has been doing this for a long time, this is an exciting time for us since we are in need of encouragement to learn more about our purpose to grow as believers and as part of the church.
My purpose for sharing this with you is because of the day we find ourselves in. The newspaper here the other day had a front page article that read "Churches rethink budgets". The reality of our economy will bring chaos to the budgets of churches and we will probably see thousands of churches close their doors due to the depression we find our world in. I believe the Lord is preparing His church and as Frank's book title says....Re-imagining Church will be a necessity for those of us who believe. But more importantly, I believe the Lord is guiding us to learn that He has given us each a mission, a gift, a calling, that we each need to learn and practice so that as individuals and as the corporate body of Christ, the Church, will be prepared to walk through the coming days and be a blessing to our families, our neighbors, our world.
I have studied the history of the church and realized what a mess we've made of it, and Pagan Christianity gives you a clear picture on how we came about our traditions and form starting with the beginning of the Catholic Church (really before that) and moving on to the denominations that flowed from the rebellion of many who were dissatisfied with the church throughout the ages.
Reimagining Church shows how the first century church worshiped and gives practical application on how to try and get back to what was established when the first believers came to faith. Not that there really is a cookie cutter form to get back to, but a call to worship in Spirit and Truth. And as we know man is whacked....even though some will try to get back to what was...I'm sure if we are not careful, we'll mess this up too!
For those who are not comfortable with home church, this would be a radical departure from what you have been use to! Since our family has been doing this for a long time, this is an exciting time for us since we are in need of encouragement to learn more about our purpose to grow as believers and as part of the church.
My purpose for sharing this with you is because of the day we find ourselves in. The newspaper here the other day had a front page article that read "Churches rethink budgets". The reality of our economy will bring chaos to the budgets of churches and we will probably see thousands of churches close their doors due to the depression we find our world in. I believe the Lord is preparing His church and as Frank's book title says....Re-imagining Church will be a necessity for those of us who believe. But more importantly, I believe the Lord is guiding us to learn that He has given us each a mission, a gift, a calling, that we each need to learn and practice so that as individuals and as the corporate body of Christ, the Church, will be prepared to walk through the coming days and be a blessing to our families, our neighbors, our world.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing that Mark.. I will have to look-up these books... Cheers, john
I agree with you Mark, but there is something about the "Church Family" that rekindles the spirit.
You're right Ruth. That's what I think most of us yearn for. Church family or church community. That was what the original purpose of the church was...
Mark...I just must tell you when I first read this blog, I'm sure you could understand who I thought of when I saw the name Frank Viola...lol
Ruth....when I first heard of this book I thought of the same thing! In fact, this Frank makes comments sometimes that make you think he is THE FRANK VIOLA! It confused me for a while til I figured it out.
Post a Comment