The Open Church
"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." 1Cor. 14:26
Christianity has followed its standard worship format for centuries. Services usually last from one to two hours and contain these basic elements: singing, prayer, preaching, an offering, and according to tradition, Holy Communion. Of course, they are all excellent things to do, but whoever said that all of these needed to be contained in your weekly service? There is certainly no scriptural mandate. Some people are so indoctrinated that they don't feel like they've attended church unless they do them all.
Week after week, churchgoers repeat the same things, the same way, and have become almost sinfully complacent. The minister or priest is up-front and does everything. Although some churches have given the laity a minimal role, for the most part, there is very little participation by the congregation. They have become spectators with a "feed me" mentality. Boredom is setting in.
Did you realize that during the time of Christ the Hebraic style of church meeting found full expression? Topics were openly discussed, and the preaching and teaching methods encouraged questions during the message. Paul told the Corinthians to each bring a song, a teaching, or a revelation. The meetings were intended to bring worship to the Lord and to stimulate personal growth and mutual edification. Church members could pray for one another and practice the use of their spiritual gifts. You would come to church prepared to share something with the others.
How many churches that you know of do church like this? Precious few - Why? This is a very probing question and it may reveal the heart of the minister or the immaturity of the people. Of course, tradition keeps many from entering in. The pastors simply do not know any other way. Nonetheless, some church leaders want to remain in control; perhaps due to insecurity or other reasons: they like/need to be in front, they like to talk and minister. Of course, this would be a worse case scenario.
Most leaders truly want to flow in the Spirit and are willing to surrender their preeminence and their preaching or teaching time for true body ministry. They have been praying and longing for that day. In fact you may have had services when time was spent waiting on the Lord, anticipating the spontaneity of a Spirit-led "new song," or a scripture or prophecy being brought forth by a congregant. Instead, there were long periods of silence; or worse yet, individuals used the time to promote their own agenda, sing their favorite song, and of course, to pray for Aunt Sarah's sprained ankle. The following week the services reverted back to the usual old way, the pastor doing everything.
Dear leader, don't give up… and don't expect the people to flow in the Spirit without some instruction. Use a few hours of sermon time to teach them how to listen to the Spirit and how to bring forth what God has given. Be willing to accommodate blunders and carnality - lovingly correct and encourage. Help them to do it properly without controlling. Create an atmosphere that encourages "practicing"… making mistakes and then trying again. Legalism and the need for perfection will quench the Spirit and the people will be afraid of doing it wrong. Lighten up!
Can you imagine how marvelous it could be? Your services will come alive as someone bursts forth in song, another in prayer, and then the song and prayer are somehow blended together in a crescendo of praise. A short teaching or revelation is expressed, and others who heard the Lord tell them the same thing give strong confirmation. In the midst of it all you partake of Holy Communion; His intimate presence fills the house with love. A need is made known and the group gathers around to pray. Some practice the use of their gifts of healings, or prophesy, or bring a word of knowledge and the congregation affirms them. Dear saint, this is a biblical worship service; ask God about these things. Will you trust the Holy Spirit to direct your meetings?
It would seem that sermons alone, as good as they may be, are not sufficient for making true disciples. In addition to modifying your weekly service, we encourage you to reconsider home fellowship groups. These house churches can become incubators of Spirit-life. It is too easy for the shy and reserved person to be overlooked during your Sunday service. Home groups encourage participation and nurture spiritual growth to maturity. We believe that during this next move of God house churches will become the norm - by necessity. The local churches will not be able to contain the harvest. Why not begin to train pastors for these now? The house church could become a fertile seedbed for evangelizing the neighborhoods… with signs and wonders following!
Peter Whitehouse, Co-founder
Capital Region Prayer & Healing Center
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For more information about the Capital Region Prayer and Healing Center go to: http://www.prayerandhealingcenter.org
Capital Region Prayer and Healing Center, 553 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
journal@prayerandhealingcenter.org
(518) 432-7100
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