Nut's 'n Bolts

What's most important about being the church together is to be centered on the promises of Christ. Still, it's helpful to think about how to gather so we don't get buried in the uncertainty or distracted by the unimportant. Here are some thoughts about doing church simply.

The Simple Rule: 

Always speak in such a way that others will want to continue listening. Don’t talk too much or too long (a contribution of about 90 seconds generally works well. That’s not a “rule” but if you watch, you’ll see what I mean). Don’t be argumentative or contentious. Listen carefully and stay on track with the subject being discussed. Make room for other points of view and try to draw others in to the discussion. If people aren’t listening—that glassy stare—you probably need to consider “The Simple Rule.”

"The Sifter"

The guillotines of orthodoxy keep a clean blade that is always honed for heresy. ~Calvin Miller, The Singer 

"Sifters" are the evangelical purists that keep a sharp eye out for the fine points, the the exegetical minutae. They are human adjectives for whom modification, correction and adjustment are their duty and call. I’m always intrigued by such brethren. Always sifting everything they hear, eagerly seeking the point on which to disagree or to add a salient observation–the trump card. Discussions with them–speaking around them–are difficult because you know that the thrust is coming and that you will need to be ready to parry, to defend the thing you said but did not qualify or explain fully enough to satisfy the sifter that you are acceptably orthodox, which you usually are not. I grow aweary of the millers of scripture grinding at the wheel of orthodoxy. Sifting and grinding–oh, how they grind so exceedingly fine! Would that we would follow Jesus’ example and love the world as carefully as we sift one another’s words! 

Beware the brother with a "ruler in his pocket!"

Make it the "Lord's Meal"  

Sharing the Lord’s Table, (remembering the Lord’s death until He comes) can take many forms that go beyond what most of us were raised with. One way is to gather the church around a table for a shared meal. To begin, have someone break a loaf of bread while giving thanks—in other words, “ask the blessing.” Pass the bread around, each person serving the person on their right, perhaps saying, “the body of Christ, broken for you,” as the bread is offered. The bread is the “first course” of your meal together. Then, eat! Talk and enjoy fellowship around the table. When the main meal is finished, before people leave the table, have someone give thanks for the Lord’s shed blood before passing a pitcher or bottle of wine or juice. Each person pours for the person to their right (have clean cups available for this) saying as they do, “the blood of Christ shed for you.” Communion becomes the opening and closing of a shared meal. Wolfgang Simson, author of Houses that Change the World observes, that we often practice the Lord’s table as a symbolic meal with substantial significance, whereas in the early church it was a substantial meal with symbolic significance.

One to Another...

(There are more than this, but you get the idea.) 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 NAS) 

Love one another (John 13:34). 

Depend on one another (Romans 12:5 amp). 

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10). 

Wash each other’s feet (John 13:14). 

Rejoice with one another (Rom 12:15; 1 Cor 12:26). 

Weep with one another (Romans 12:15). 

Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16). 

Don’t judge one another (Romans 14:13). 

Accept one another (Romans 15:7). 

Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16). 

Greet one another (Romans 16:16). 

Wait for one another (1 Corinthians 11:33). 

Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25). 

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). 

Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32). 

Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32; Col 3:13). 

Be compassionate toward one another (Eph 4:32). 

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 

Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21). 

Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Col3:13). 

Stimulate love in one another (Hebrews 10:24). 

Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9).

Minister gifts to one another (1 Peter 4:10). 

Be clothed in humility toward one another (1 Pet5:5). 

Don’t slander one another (James 4:11). 

Don’t grumble against one another (James 5:9). 

Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16). 

Pray for one another (James 5:16). 

Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7). 

Don’t be puffed up against one another (1 Cor 4:6). 

Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). 

Honor one another (Romans 12:10).

Instruct one another (Romans 15:14). 

Prefer one another (Romans 12:10). 

Comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4). 

Pa's View of Organization - 

From Little Town on the Prairie 

by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

The town folk were very bored and wanted some fun, so they decided to have a literary society..... The seats were filled and men were standing thick behind them, when Mr. Clewett called the room to order. He said that the purpose of this meeting was to organize a literary society. 

"The first thing in order", he said, "will be a roll call of members. I will then hear nominations for temporary chairman. The temporary chairman will take charge, and we will then proceed to nominate and ballot for permanent officers." 

Everyone was a little taken aback, and felt less jolly, but it was an interesting question, who could be elected President. Then Pa stood up by his seat, and said, 

"Mr. Clewett and townfolks, what we've come here for is some fun to liven us up. It does not seem necessary to organize anything.From what I've seen," Pa went on, "the trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they're organized for. I take it we're pretty well agreed right now on what we want. If we start organizing and electing, the chances are we won't be as well agreed on who's to be elected to fill office. So I suggest, let's just go straight ahead and do what we want to do, without any officers. We've got the schoolteacher, Mr. Clewett, to act as leader. Let him give out a program, every meeting, for the next meeting. Anybody that gets a good idea can speak up for it, and anybody that's called on will pitch in and do his share in the programs the best he can, to give everybody a good time." 

"That's the ticket, Ingalls!" Mr. Clancy sang out, and as Pa sat down, a good many began to clap. 

Mr. Clewett said, "All in favor, say 'Aye!" A loud chorus of "Ayes" voted that it should be so. Then for a minute, no one knew what to do next. Mr. Clewett said, "We haven't any program for this meeting." Some man answered, "Shucks, we aren't going home yet!" The barber suggested singing, and someone said, "You got some pupils that can speak pieces? How about it, Clewett?" Then a voice said, "How about a spelling match?" Several chimed in to that, "That's the notion!" "That's the idea! Let's have a spelling match!" 

And so every week, everyone brought what they had to entertain the others and fun was had by all...

Random Thoughts...

Jesus is among any group that gathers in his name. It is better that Jesus be in a hundred places among ten than in one place among a thousand. 

A simple church must not be defined by what it is against, but what it is for, namely Jesus. Negativity will destroy a fellowship. If you have been wounded at another church, forgive. 

There is only one church in your city. She may be in a house, in a coffee shop, or in a catheral. Encourage her wherever she is found. 

The New Testament is not a policy manual or a record of revised statutes. 

Leadership terms in the church are not titles, but descriptions;  not ranks but roles. They are about function, not office. 

Make room for all to speak. That includes men, women, and children. 

OK, so you meet in a house. Big deal. Get over it and get on with it!

What will you do WHEN you don't feel loved enough in your church fellowship?

What will you do WHEN a brother or sister tells you that you aren't loving enough?

Many are called but few can stand it!

You can run but you can't hide. 

"Where do you go to church?" is the wrong question. The right question is, "With whom has God called you to be the church?"

A good way to start the meal together is to ask, "All right, who's got good news?"

Have other upbeat questions to talk about at the meal time. Mealtime isn't the best time to discuss deep theology.

Questions from Pastors

How do you get paid? (Answer: What does money have to do with a call of God?)

When do you preach? (Answer: Whenever I get a chance.)

How do you keep heresy out of the groups? (Answer: Don't know. We've been doing church like this for 17 years and it hasn't come up yet. Maybe that's the answer.)

What do you do with the kids? (Answer: Great question!) 

How do you control the groups? (Answer: Why would I want to?)

 What DO You do with the Kids?

There is no "one size fits all" answer. It depends on their age, personality, the parenting style of Mom and Dad, and  whether they've had a nap. The important thing to remember is that they are part of the community. They should be involved as much as possible. Some thoughts: 

The older can teach the younger. 

The kids should help with setting up and cleaning up. An adult mentor other than mom or dad can help each child be part of that process. 

Have things the whole group can do with the kids. 

Let the kids have some time to be with other kids, so the adults can be with the adults. Some churches pay for child care. Others take turns taking the "kids time." 

Use available resources. Check the article in Wilderness Voices  December 2006 . 

Also, check out http://www.parablescurriculum.com. 

Having the kids be a part of the community, known by the adults and encouraged to be a part is as good as any children's ministry. 

As the kids get older, consider what "rites of passage" you can offern them. Consider "Raising a Modern Day Knight" for ideas.

Community in Scripture

Acts 2:42-47 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (NAS) 

Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus {as} the Christ. (NAS) 

Acts 20:6-7 And we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. (NAS) 

Rom 16:3-5 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. (NAS) 

Rom 16:23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. (NAS) 

1 Cor 14:26 What is {the outcome} then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (NAS) 

Col 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. Phile 1:2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: (NAS)