A Different View On Church Structure?

"But you do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren." (Mt 23:8)

This passage really struck me because there is a real egalitarian aspect when it comes to spiritual matters under Jesus. Not that there is a belief that we are equal with Christ or God -- that is an error that exists in Mormon belief (that we can become a god - that Jesus is only one of many) -- but rather that we are equal in the sight of God.

I definitely would distinguish as well spiritual egalitarianism from political egalitarianism. With the concepts of personal property in the 10 commandments, "Thou shalt not steal" God clearly emphasizes that we are not promised the same "stuff". Forcible redistribution of items so that everyone has the same result is not supported in God's Word. Instead we are called to be charitable which involves a voluntary spirit of giving of our personal property to others as we personally choose. Likewise a spiritual of communal living can be chosen as well as in the book of Acts (which could very well be the picture of Heaven), but it not something that is required. Even in Acts, people gave what they chose to give, they were not forced to give all of their possessions, but they were not allowed to lie about the level of their contribution. (see Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5).

It isn't that Christian leadership is unnecessary - from an organizational and teaching standpoint, there is really a need for proper teaching and organizing. But, Christ is asking us never to exalt ourselves or others to the point of being a substitute for Him. Instead, we are to turn to Christ as our ultimate resource and our ultimate Teacher. We are to read the Word and pray constantly so that we will know His will and follow His ways.

As I mentioned the Mormon faith earlier, something that they may be doing more right than Christian churches is the concept that teaching should not be dominated by one man or group of men, but perhaps that it should be rotated amongst the congregation. That each week, a different head of a family would preside over the teaching for the group. Certainly that would bring a different atmosphere and the responsibility for teaching (and learning) would be passed from one main person to a everyone.

Although that would present a logistical headache and the consistency of teaching may be lacking, it would certainly be interesting to hear individual stories and points of view on how God has changed their lives instead of only hearing the same stories over and over again.

Church structure is a hard thing to think about, and I'm certainly struggling with it now. However, the main thing is to find a preacher that teaches the Word truthfully in a straightforward manner. Based on this scripture, I am also thinking that it is important to find a church that emphasizes that we are all equal under God and does not try to exalt the leadership beyond that.

Lord Jesus, we are on the cusp of moving, if it is your will that we get this house we are looking at. Please help us to find the right church body and the right place for us to grow as a family that will teach our kids Your ways. Thank You for being our Teacher, Father and Friend. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

The Real Fight Is Spiritual

¹²For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. ¹³Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

(Ephesians 6:12-13 Amplified Bible)

We live in a world that we can see and touch, but our faith in a God that we can't directly see or touch is based on what we can see with our spirit. It is our spirit which is eternal, and our spirit which forms the core of life (the difference between animate flesh and inanimate). When our spirit leaves our bodies, we die.

And so, while we live in a world that is full of material goods, interactions, chores and circumstances, our actual battle is not with those things. Our focus should rather be on the spiritual forces that are behind the circumstances we encounter.

For example, while we might endure tough situations with people we meet in the real, we can't focus on the person we had a hard time with. Instead, we need to look with our spiritual eyes and see that Satan is real and he is truly working against us. The more visible we are in God's service, the more energies Satan will direct against us (after all, if we're inactive as Christians, why would he task any forces against us?).

Interestingly, when looking at verse 13, we aren't called to recklessly charge against Satan, but rather, we are instead called to gird ourselves in God's armor, resist, and stand firm. The vision that I see is one of a Roman phalanx - a group moving forward together and defending one another. Clearly, this is in line with the continual calls for Christians to meet and pray together as a Church rather than to serve as lone soldiers.

Taking all this into consideration, I find that I get too wrapped up in stuff that happens to me. I blame this person or that circumstance because I feel wronged in some way, shape or form. But the Lord is teaching me here that the people (flesh and blood) involved aren't the driver of what happens. The real enemy is in the spiritual realm and must be approached from a spiritual angle. As I disconnect my emotions from individual people, I realize that I can forgive and love even my enemies (although it's hardly an easy process).

Lord Jesus, I know that I get so worked up and caught up in individual events. However, I realize through Your word that I need to release my emotional connection to these things and instead fall on my knees in prayer to seek your help with these spiritual attacks. Our family is making changes to pray together and seek You as a team to be united and strong against Satan. Please help us to continue to do this and see clearly with our spiritual eyes the forces that are arrayed against us. Grant us wisdom to know how to pray, and when we don't know what to say, pray for us through our groans. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.