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? Do we actually appreciate the gifts that Jesus has given us? Just wondering...

Who is "IN Charge" here?

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? What do YOU think?

Denominations - What's that all about?

I have heard it said many times by pre-Christians, or by disheartened former 'Followers of the Way"... "You all call yourselves Christians, BUT... you don't seem to even like each other, or worse... seem to hate each other. Why would I want to join up with you?"And, indeeed... why would anyone want to join a disfunctional 'family'? What part of Jesus' prayer recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 17 do we not understand? What part of "becoming one" did we miss? So, we have tens of thousands of different denominations and sects and independent groups ALL claiming to be true followers of the Christ who prayed for unity... often living openly in competetive disregard for each other. What is wrong with this picture? Is there actually anything wrong with thinking differently than another Christian group? What can we DO to change this perception (or reality) of disunity? Should we try to become one super denomination? Whose ideas would we use as the "right" ones? Help me here....!

What is Church?

Jesus said, "I will build My church..." God sent Jesus into the world to re-connect created beings with the Creator. Jesus announced that, "even as the Father has sent me into the world...so I send you." So, is there an inter-connectedness between the incarnation and the mission of God that somehow converges in the church? How are we being "sent" by Jesus into the world? What is God's mission for us? Can the church primarily exist to care for its own members and in so doing, be doing what God intended it to do? Is this all some theological discussion, or is it relevant to why we exist as a church? What do you think?