Vision
In changing times, the church has gone from being traditional to
being new age. In the evolution, the church has struggled to keep pews and coffers full. The church has sought to re-invent itself so that it will be
appealing to the new generation, the baby boomers, the x generation and everything between A-Z generation. In this process many churches have lost something very important to God. A spirit filled church. On the surface, yes they worship God, and they believe in Christ. They teach the importance of salvation, and the Christian way of life. Some have become very successful bodies of Christian fellowship, reaching large numbers and seating thousands in their church. And they do good works in the name of God.
A church can have all of these qualities about
themselves and still miss the mark. All to often in their re-hab of programs, and appeal, they lost the true purpose of being a church. A church is more then just a physical building with walls, floors, ceilings, and sanctuary. It is a fellowship of and with Christ. It is a covenant we enter with God, through the death of Christ, that God is just and righteous to forgive us of our sins. This Grace is ours, this everlasting life ours, when we accept Christ as our savior. It is not a building we are given, nor is it a name plate on a pew that say's we sit their with our family, generation after generation.
Instead it is a promise from God that we are forgiven our sins, and the everlasting life we receive is our reward for the sacrifice of Christ in our name.
This Grace is ours, and nothing we do on earth is going to take this away from us when we receive this Grace from God. Therefore we are a fellowship of believers in this Grace, and as a fellowship, we worship God with praise and song for his wonderful Grace. We stand before him thanking him for his wonderful Grace, and the promise this Grace grants us.
In return for this Grace, we also enter into a promise that we will walk in Christ, fellowship with other Christians, and conducting our life's by the spiritual and social values the Holy Writ of God, both in the Old & New testaments, tells us to follow. In Christ we are given the power of the Holy Spirit and through our baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are given gifts of the fruit that comes from God. As Christians we are asked to use these gifts to our fullest, by doing so, we strengthen our faith, for some reaching the fullest measure of faith, for others, hope that we to will become saints.
In Christ's time, the new church was given its tenet's, and direction from Christ as he walked among man. His disciples & followers learned first hand of what Christ taught, and died for. By this do we have the early church and what it was. And it was a church of Christians who took care of themselves, and the needs of the community. From within they raised saints who ministered to the flock, from without, they represented the life of Christ to those who where seeking a new life. Faith was the greatest motivation the early church had, and through faith they did wonders. The church as it was then survived many hardships, tribulations, and persecution. By faith did they survive the generations after generations of ministry in God's name.
What has changed in today's church? Are we the community of believers it once was? Is the Church more then just a building? Do we as believers worship God in Faith and thankfulness as the early Christians did, or do we go through a rote of worship so mechanical, and by memory alone so avoid of understanding and or thought? That we Worship without the real puprose and reason for worship. God saved us from death, and gave us life through Christ. Is our worship the Spirit filled soul of the church as it was and meant to be? Are we a fellowship of believers so entwined with God's love and understanding, that we live a life that honor's Christ's sacrifice for us. Are we exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit to our fullest and doing what is
righteous in God's Name? Or does Sin cheat us of these glories that God wants us to have?
Who's church do you belong to? God's or yours?
Rev Robert D. Vergeson D.D.
as inspired by God