What I Want :: Part 3
I have been working through what I want from a church, inspired by a recent vacation in Florida with Jody over a Sunday I wasn’t teaching. Starting with the things I know I don’t want from a church I have found a few things I do want starting with how and what is being taught.
I want to hear someone open the Bible to a passage of Scripture that they have prayed over, meditated on, researched and marinated in. I want to hear what they learned, I want to hear what they discovered, I want to hear not just the results of their research, not just an academic lecture, but what they have heard from God. I want to know how this passage has impacted the church, not just this church, but the church historic.
I want to know how this passage intersects with the context of the whole of Scripture – where does this fit in the meta-narrative of Scripture, the Kingdom of God. I want to know how this passage has convicted and comforted the people that have gone before me, the communion of the Saints. I want to know what this passage meant in it’s orginal context to the ones God gave it. What were their circumstances and how did this passage shape them? I want to sit with a Bible in my hand, and look into that Word and listen for that voice deep in my soul that speaks to me though His Word.
I treasure that voice, it seldom screams, it most often whispers, but it is real as the skin I am in. I want to sit with a gathering of people who also long to hear that voice. I want to look around and see that same longing on their faces I feel in my heart. I want to look across the room and see people with old Bibles that are falling apart, new bibles with pages that are still stuck together, techies with Bibles on their iphones, and people who are just trying to figure it out but sense there is something going on here that is more than a history lesson, more than a lecture, more than a pep talk. I want an encounter with God Himself.
Then I want to see this same person who has been marinating in this passage to challenge us all with how this connects to today and tomorrow. I want to hear what they have heard the Spirit speak; I want to hear that prophetic voice.
Is that what you want?
What I want:
I’d like to meet real people who don’t just greet you once, but who care to know you. A place to grow together, to serve others in a tangible way (meeting basic needs then spiritual needs). A place where you truly hear from God and his word. That’s what I want…..
I agree… I really feel loved when I am welcomed and have a place to make great friends that build me up in community.
I want a place that does not rush me out, but allows me time to soak up what I heard and then to respond in a grateful way to the Lord for his revelation. A place to “glean” (to gather slowly and laboriously, bit by bit) wisdom and understanding.
i love soaking in his presence
I love quietly standing in his presence…
I have been to almost every type of church one can imagine…ok, maybe not…but I have been to many churches as an adult. However, I did not begin to know Truth until I started going to a church where the Word of God was held by each person in attendance and read at length, aloud during the service. This fed a familiar yet elusive hunger in my soul and God sweetly pursued me through His word.
My life had been filled (by my own doing) with almost everything EXCEPT the one thing that I needed…that I longed for; craved even-the Love that is greater than life itself.
It was a little over a year ago (4/2/2009
when God’s word became “real” to me and “I am not the same; I’m a new creation.”
The church is Grace. The glory is God’s.
You’re desire for a church that longs for His presence is evidenced by the fruit
It is good.
wow… thanks for the encouragement…