Local Church Discussions - View Single Post - My Journey to the Local Church, and beyond...

NeitherFirstnorLast · 04-13-2011, 02:37 PM

Thank you for sharing that Ohio, I haven't finished reading it yet - but it's very enjoyable and perceptive. I also enjoyed this passage:

"If Jesus really wants the church to work as a setting
where people grow, then it seems logical that He would
make sure it is perfect. Otherwise, new impressionable
believers will grow up warped by flawed mentors and
companions. A lot of Christians actually harbor this
thought. They are on a constant quest for the perfect
church, but they may as well be searching for the lost
continent of Atlantis. On this earth, a church has never
existed that is the perfect blend of love, inner life, activity,
social awareness, belief, consistent Christian living, and
everything else that makes for a really impressive resume.
It was not found even among the churches recorded in the
New Testament. Every time we read an epistle or the
record in Acts, we get glimpses of the ideal church and then
just as quickly they go away, eclipsed by various problems.
If we are all assembling as disciples, learners, then by
definition it means we’re a group of people who haven’t got
it all figured out. Even the Apostle Paul said, “Not that I
have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I
press on to make it my own” (Phil. 3:12). He had the solid,
sound foundation of the faith and a great deal of maturity
upon it, but never left the definition of a learner.
So, put a bunch of self-confessed learners together and
you are virtually guaranteed to have an imperfect church.
Beware of the illusion of an ideal, know-it-all church. Such
groups are typically on their best behavior in order to gain
potential members. Later, the other side of the story
becomes apparent in a sick church culture that could
contain elements like hyper-legalism or heresy. By then, it
is often emotionally difficult for a new member to

withdraw."
- John Myer, The Momentum of Togetherness.

04-13-2011, 02:37 PM	#45
NeitherFirstnorLast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 348	Re: My Journey to the Local Church, and beyond... Thank you for sharing that Ohio, I haven't finished reading it yet - but it's very enjoyable and perceptive. I also enjoyed this passage: "If Jesus really wants the church to work as a setting where people grow, then it seems logical that He would make sure it is perfect. Otherwise, new impressionable believers will grow up warped by flawed mentors and companions. A lot of Christians actually harbor this thought. They are on a constant quest for the perfect church, but they may as well be searching for the lost continent of Atlantis. On this earth, a church has never existed that is the perfect blend of love, inner life, activity, social awareness, belief, consistent Christian living, and everything else that makes for a really impressive resume. It was not found even among the churches recorded in the New Testament. Every time we read an epistle or the record in Acts, we get glimpses of the ideal church and then just as quickly they go away, eclipsed by various problems. If we are all assembling as disciples, learners, then by definition it means we’re a group of people who haven’t got it all figured out. Even the Apostle Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own” (Phil. 3:12). He had the solid, sound foundation of the faith and a great deal of maturity upon it, but never left the definition of a learner. So, put a bunch of self-confessed learners together and you are virtually guaranteed to have an imperfect church. Beware of the illusion of an ideal, know-it-all church. Such groups are typically on their best behavior in order to gain potential members. Later, the other side of the story becomes apparent in a sick church culture that could contain elements like hyper-legalism or heresy. By then, it is often emotionally difficult for a new member to withdraw." - John Myer, The Momentum of Togetherness.