I am currently reading Reimagining Church by Frank Viola. He challenges the ‘institutional church’ (which he left in the late eighties). To quote Publishers Weekly:
Viola, believes the church as we know it today is nothing like what God intended it to be. According to Viola, the first-century church, which should be our pattern, met in homes without any official pastor. All members of the church were involved in worship, spontaneously breaking out with teaching or song as they were moved. Decisions were not made until everyone reached consensus. There were no official leaders or elders, but there were men who served and taught and helped others, thus leading by example. Viola believes that to bring the church back on track, both clergy and denominations must be completely abolished. Churches should not have buildings nor should they worry about doctrinal statements.
I am eating up this book. I love the challenges he poses, I love the idea of such imperfect people participating in community and being able to use their gifts to share with others. I love the idea of being a participant, not just an observer. Because I believe that when people participate, when they play a role in church, they appreciate it so much more. They can ‘own it’.
I believe that it is a rarity for a non-Christian to enter into a church building on a Sunday morning for the first time. I believe that ‘making believers’ happens best through relationship and meeting people where they are at, not expecting them to step outside their comfort level into the unknown.
I believe that questioning and challenging is healthy. I personally believe that questioning and challenging is how I have grown closer to God and opened my heart and mind to His leading. I think that right now, in this particular time in my life, I am searching to grow. I really want to take advantage of the resources around me and push myself to devleop as much as possible. This transition has not been easy by any means and I think that it's in the hard times that we, as Christians can grow and develop further.
