In an attempt to put butts in the pews and money in the offering plate we avoid talking about suffering.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
In our Sunday school class, we are still studying the Holy Spirit. The teacher lamented a few weeks ago that he could not understand why the Christian churches did not have an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the church. I suggested that one barrier was the church building itself. My most Spirit-filled worship has been in a first century setting, or what they call it these days. Praying, sharing, Bible studying, and signing – often off key – in someone’s home. No need for talks about the budget. The only worry about numbers is when you run out of chairs. Then the teacher said, “And when you run out of chairs, someone will suggest building a building, and the vicious circle starts all over again.”
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This is a tragedy.
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In our Sunday school class, we are still studying the Holy Spirit. The teacher lamented a few weeks ago that he could not understand why the Christian churches did not have an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the church. I suggested that one barrier was the church building itself. My most Spirit-filled worship has been in a first century setting, or what they call it these days. Praying, sharing, Bible studying, and signing – often off key – in someone’s home. No need for talks about the budget. The only worry about numbers is when you run out of chairs. Then the teacher said, “And when you run out of chairs, someone will suggest building a building, and the vicious circle starts all over again.”
LikeLiked by 1 person