To discipline or not to discipline... That IS the question!

In The Message, Hebrews 12:11 says: "At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God."My experience has been that very few churches or spiritual leaders participate in the process of disciplining people in the church who are professing to be Followers of Christ while still habitually practising sin. Why does this happen? What benefit could there be in remaining silent? What are some of the negative consequences that the church may be experiencing because we have not disciplined? How would you feel about being involved in the process of discipline for a church member... or college classmate? Now that's getting a little closer to home.... talk to me!

Do churches have life-cycles too?

It may not be exactly the same as the "rise and fall of the Roman Empire", but keeping a church moving forward in a healthy, vision-based direction is quite a project. If we assume that a fellowship was originally birthed through prayer and a clear sense of God's involvement... why do so many of them end up with broken dreams, broken people and broken leaders? Is there something that can be done in the midst of the pilgrimage that can help stem the tide of this movement towards plateau and decline? Have you ever asked yourself: "Why does my church exist?" If not... go ahead... maybe it is the first step towards renewing the call and vision upon it. Do you think that there might be some universal and Biblical way of evaluating the health of a local church? Is it important to know if your church is healthy? Should some churches be allowed to die with dignity? What do YOU think?

Why do we practise these ordinances?

What is the meaning of being baptized in water? Is it a relevant ceremony for today's church? Is it being done in such a way as to emphasize a passing from an old way of living into something new? How could the meaning and value of water baptism be clarified and emphasized in our churches? And, what about the celebration of communion or the Last Supper... Is that a meaningful, spiritual experience for most church attenders? What is its meaning and relevance in our culture? How could it be improved or enhanced to become what Jesus intended it to be? Do you have any creative suggestions for how we might improve the impact of either of these ceremonies upon those of us who follow Jesus and those who are seekers of truth?

Gifts from Jesus... for the church!

In Ephesians 4 we read about the gifts that Christ has given to the Church: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. In most local churches, we hear about the pastor as the leader... so how could we make room for all of the other leadership gifts in one church? Should we try to do so? Do you think that most pastors are willing to share the leadership role with these 'others'? How might a local church operate with all five of these leadership gifts functioning at the same time... or is it even possible? Should some of these gifts operate primarily with more than one local assembly? Just wondering.......

Who's in charge of this Church?

Jesus said that He would build His church! History has proven that men have found a variety of ways to move themselves into positions of authority in HIS church. Some churches are governed by bishops... others by groups of elders or presbyters... while some prefer to have ALL of the people govern through the democratic process. How can we retain a sense of "order" in the church while allowing for "that which EVERY joint supplies"? What do you think was Jesus' idea for authority in the church? Which form of church government is closest to his idea? Do you think there might be a better way for us to express God's authority at a local church level that we have not yet tried? As King James would have said: 'What thinkest thou?"