IPC, AG, or any denomination, in itself is an evidence that its not the organisation structure doctrinal statement or plan that corrupted the system. its just few people, their greed , selfishness, etc that lead to the spiritual downfall...
Charismatics are wrongly portrayed as people with some over emphasis on retreat camps, worship & music , and healing. I totally believe in those three, but those are just by products. Our focus is christ centered life and word of god. So let me chart a clear pattern for KCPM..
let me put few pointers here..
Do we need big churches to return to first century christianity of sincere christian experiences?
Do we need charismatic eloquent ( good for only pulpit ) speakers and leaders to lead us? remember jesus didnt do any of these? he was always with the people except wen he retreated to the mountain to fellowship with GOD the father.
I think the discussion should be more on building each christian home as a foundation for church..BUILDING CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS..i think if in a home all of them are believers..the head of the family can be the elder to lead prayer, encourage and upbuild the family in gods word and christian life..when families are built, churches are automatically renewed..A small group of 10-15 ideal for fellowship..
I heard somewhere FAMILY IS THE GREATEST UNIVERSITY..I strongly believe a group of 10- 15 can come together as a family, meet at their own home, pray, talk, eat fellowship, have Lords communion and build christian lives. There would be strong feeling of accountability to each other. I am not overlooking the importance of big churches. But home based christian fellowships can build up a strong christ centered christian community.
Home based groups in a district can come together once in 2 or 3 months for a joint worship and fellowship ( i suggest not on sunday, we dont want to isolate ourselves from denominational churches , thats a mistake. i think we should work frm within )
I have heard of christians saying, they dont have a role model, they see fake leaders everywhere. Some lament on that they dont have anyone to listen to their real problems. I think a Home based model of church can run parallel to the present church system and can reform the pentecostal movement from within, instead of forming a new different organisation.
Running parallel and not starting a different denomination has its own uniqueness.
- It wont be a Sunday church..every member can attend their so called denominational church
- this group is solely on 2 or more evenings, where small groups of 10-15 can come together, meet in any members house, talk sing pray eat food and have fellowship.
- This group can have regular bible study groups, which will effect in less criticism, more of christian attitude. The more I read bible and fellowshipped with real christians in homes in the way I mentioned above, it had a real change or revival ( watever u can call it ) in my attitudes and action.
- Also there wont be total isolation from so called denominational churches..no laments of sheep stealing, no attitudes of self righteousness..
I firmly believe end time is for harvest...and Unity in the church is a by product..
Home based movements can be effectively only wen there are elders who can over see groups, hold accountable those elders and members, to resolve issues in a biblical manner. That means there should be space for love trust and self discipline rather than enforcing laws and bylaws..! we have repeatedly failed in that aspect..havent we?
So to conclude, my point is not to initiate another organisation, but lets start home based groups to pray and study bible...home churches were effective in first century and also in 21st century..
any comments???
jesus freak