Fellow Labourers-
As I read this article my mind races back to the early Church. They went from house in breaking of bread, and they had all things common. It is this creative collaboration that leads to unity in diversity. The apostle Paul says when we come together one should have a hymn, one a psalm and so on, but we seem to only do this on Sunday. Once we step outside our sanctuary it seems as if it is "thy man for thyself." There seems to be no confluence of thoughts, no meeting of the minds. This is a trick of the enemy that we must recognize and kill. Let us learn from the "Inklings" and bring our creative energies to bear upon a world that is dying to see the manifestations of the sons of God.
As a people we are destined for greatness but we have become our own enemies. When we know who we are in God I believe we will not only have creative collaboration but we will begin to do the greater works of which Jesus speaks. Let us arise the world is waiting.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart J.P.
Pastor
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Fellow labourers:
ReplyDeleteThis "unity in diversity" is interesting, particularly because of the various positions that persons have taken and continue to take. Of course 'diversity' is a loaded word in today's pluralistic post-modern society, and it is not less so in the Church. We are exhorted to "say the same thing" and "be of one mind" and disagreements are often frowned upon. While many of these are open to interpretations, there is the general feeling that "confluence of thoughts" and "meeting of the minds" are not welcome. Persons are often accused of forming cliques and having discussions that 'undermine' leadership.
How do we "recognize" the true evil and kill it, without stifling true diversity of thoughts and creative energies? At the risk of harping on the past, I think persons are (still) waiting for direction in moving forward, as they are unsure of taking a path that has not been trodden in the recent past...Is this a sign of immaturity (Heb. 5:12-14)?
5:12 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
5:14 "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Is this a sign of ignorance, having never been taught?
Is this due to fear, not wanting to offend or 'rock the boat'?
or a mixture of the three?
Unfortunately, Church history is replete with direct and indirect vilification of 'change agents' who did not follow the status quo, who wanted something more. How will this change in MO be managed in the new dispensation of Church?
I agree that it is necessary, however, it must be clear that this is the direction being taken and mechanisms be put in place to facilitate this process. For example, one strategy for starters is to allow the formation of 'think tanks' to brainstorm and come up with possible Biblical solutions for some of the issues that the Church has found itself enveloped in. This would lend itself to having the best minds in the Church (having been anointed by the Holy Spirit) to be fully engaged...
The mind is a beautiful thing to waste.