a church without walls {or a 501(c)}

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

                         John 2:19 (Jesus speaking of His body)

Preachers of the day were asking Jesus "what sign do you show to us?" and this was their answer. Destroy this earthly temple but I'm raising up something Heavenly which has nothing to do with pillars, stones, man-made structures, but by the Spirit.

They didn't understand.

I dare say we still lack understanding today.

I've been comfortable with my walls, doors, programs, and windows with or without stained glass. I've liked my church schedules to be neat and tidy and not a minute too late. I've volunteered upteen hours to some ministry, only to exhaust myself with works.

Our western religion prefers men to enter on our behalf and bring us Knowledge instead of entering in ourselves. We've microwaved our American faith to drive-through service where we've become altogether spiritual gluttons. We have pet denominational doctrines versus the whole doctrine.

In the past, I've taken snippets and built a religion on pieces and gouged my eyes to other truths. I've prejudiced my view of another by their (Christian) denomination rather than embracing Christ in them and finding common ground in Him.

If our natural bodies were originally designed to be fit and lean, not too skinny, not obese, but a healthy size, then shouldn't our spiritual live also mirror fitness? Our diet should be quenched by the Spirit and not a building, or service, or program or pastor, alone.

Teaching was meant to enhance our already Spirit-filled life, not to be the Life.

Church is no longer man-made walls, but ones built with flesh and bones.

So why do the "priests" of our day, seek to condemn those who worship in Spirit and Truth? Why do pastors or congregations feel others err because their church doors don't hang on a 501(c)? Why are homes not considered a good enough place for "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another..."? Hebrews 10:25

We must give Christ liberty too. Not just in church-y 501(c)'s but to those who choose to meet wholly outside these guidelines and choose homes, parks, or other places for the sake of growing in the knowledge of Him and doing it together.

Should we not meet in the "traditional" way, it's not for purpose of isolation as if to cut us off from the world. It's to stretch us in Christ by laboring together to birth mercy, kindness, gentleness, patience, and longsuffering. It's to have intimacy and transparency which allow us to use our gifts to the utmost ability in fellowship with one another.

It's to learn Jesus deeper by pressing in with Grace when we are like sandpaper people rubbing eachother raw.

And how can we do this without Love knitting us in threads to one another where Jesus has absolute free-reign to design the patchwork of our small fellowship? Is the Spirit so feeble that He's unable to teach "insulated" groups who don't bow under a 501(c)covering? Is the Spirit so diminished that a small group means He's limited by numbers? Or is ministering with a neighbor, or a friend, or family  member, or somebody (whether or not they're Christian) not a large enough ministry for God?

This is not to say there aren't cults, or abusive small communities, or legalistic followings which look for places to set up their kingdoms. I acknowledge those, and know first hand, people who've been abused by those perverted gospels.

Nor, am I saying we should skip around from one church body to another, taking offense each turn we leave, as we bounce around like a lost ball.

This is solely about Jesus.

This is about letting the true Shepherd be the Head.

This is about being like 12 disciples who went through thick and thin because they knew each other well. It's about filling our tanks in a communion of hardships and good times, without the friendships themselves being our highest priority, just our priority of making Him the highest.

Only when we are truly filled by the Spirit, do we have the resources to do any works at all. And we don't do them because man designed some new program or ministry, but because His presence is so strong the Indwelling spurs us into the world to do His bidding.

Why is it so hard to imagine a church without walls, denominations, worship styles, or theological differences?  Why do some in the church show contempt and disdain for those who leave traditional church to meet outside traditional buildings so they can rally with Jesus and with others who are desperate for Him and Him only?

And why should we despise the traditional or the untraditional if we're all under Jesus?

Perhaps not much has changed since Christ. Even if we should abandon our traditional temples of worship, 'though others balk, we trust the Spirit which already prepared a resurrected One. And no matter where or how we choose to worship (in a 501(c) or not), it simply comes down to One who not only raised up a new Temple, but by the breath of God, Spirited a Bride for Himself.

"'Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.'" Revelation 21:9

{What's a 501(c)?  for friends from other countries, a 501(c) is a U.S. government recgonized tax benefit given to most organized churches of all denominations, with exclusion to home fellowships/house church/organic church/(or insert label for Spirit-lead Jesus folk who don't meet in traditional church buildings)}

Ps. My Brother-in-law is a full-time pastor and my Dad and Mom are both really involved in their traditional church, leading and teaching. So I have some dearly loved, traditional folks, who are near my heart.

With Ann and friends,

--cool morning drives on the farm, a most unusual "date" with Hubby and I talking more about our dreams for the future
--hot summer days which are the best for pool waters and fellowship and lots of reading
--ladies working out for fitness together and all the while enjoying good company to help make the discomfort of exercise, tolerable
--knowing that God-dream of living on a farm came to fruition, one we used to try to explain away, tried to lessen the desire which burned, tried to think of reasons why we would NOT like it, but then it happened and boy, do we love living this God-dream, only He could do that

Also at Laura's "Playdates with God"

Over at EE's....for Septembers "Saturday Evening Post"