Meeting Together T & V
We have been meeting together on Saturday mornings. It’s been a rich time as we go to seminary, (not literally go to seminary) but the book we’re going through every Wed, I’ve written about before is a book of ecclesiology of sorts. The book which I have blogged about in the past is The Trellis & The Vine.
It’s been good because we’re able to meet at 6:00 am in one of the homes, and by God’s grace we’ve been treated well in hospitality by the host home. This has been a time of focus and of reflection. Often I have noticed that in the way that “Church methodology or ecclesiology” is set up, people truly believe often that the way they are holding it is the “only” way. As we have moved through the book I get a great, and deeper sense that Jesus is the only way, John 14:6 the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the father but by him… however he’s made diversity in His bride to be able to look differently in many many different ways, and yet they need to contain many of these basic elements which often in our American culture are super-ceded by that which demands our attention or the thing that is easier. We compromise what’s valuable eternally with that which takes over as immediately important now, and those things are often what’s important to the flesh.
We are in fact American’s and one of our greatest difficulties is, attempting to live in an opposite way the world is living which appeals to the flesh. This way is primarily to seek comfort, comfort, comfort, at all cost. Our flesh gravitates toward ease. If we can find something and label “comfort with Jesus” on the outside we have in the American mindset, this accomplishes what’s needed in our Christianity. We have eased our conscience, to say that we have Jesus in addition to whatever it is we like to do, or hobby or selfish desire etc. True faith requires us to live with our rest and comfort in Christ, and long for the real comfort of heaven in eternity with Jesus, but not comfort for comforts sake, here and now.
Our greatest challenge it seems is the subtle, slow, drowning of our Christian faith in worldly possessions, activities, and hobbies. We are easily pulled to those things with a “Jesus” type label or sticker but I heard one preacher ask this weekend, what are we doing that is distinctively “Christian” ? Matthew 23 comes to mind..
What is it that we’re doing in our lives that we would not be doing if we weren’t Christians and how different does our life look to the world around us?
The Trellis and the Vine is a helpful tool to help re-focus ministry on the main thing which is spiritual growth and discipleship. Growing and reproducing people who are devoted followers of Christ. This is done as Jesus did it, and why I believe Jesus came in the flesh and was called Emanuel “God with us. This is done with human interaction as we see the Gospel lived out.
Here are the questions for the discussion of chapter 8 and 9 which is provided by Mathias Media.
1. Look at the three models of pastoral ministry described on page 94-101. How would you describe the pastoral model at your church? Does it fit in one of these categories, or is it a mixture? Or something else entirely?
2. “Sunday sermons are necessary but not sufficient?” (ch 8 Page. 102) Do you agree? Why or why not? What Scriptures would you use to support your position?
3. What would your church learn from the example of Richard Baxter? (ch 8 Page 104-107)
4. Look back at the seven people you jotted down in the last discussion. If you only had time to meet with two of them personally, which two would you choose and why?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 16:15-18. What do we learn from these passages about the nature of team ministry?
6. To what extent does your congregation operate with a team of co-workers? What is going well in this regard? What could be improved?
7. What are the key things to look for in gathering a team of co-workers?
They were challenging to me personally as we consider all of these things, as I hope they are to you!
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