Epilogue to our Discussion about Church
So often I’ve been amazed at what I see here in the Christian blogging community. In some cases, I’ve read a blogger’s posts over time and seen tremendous growth; in others I’ve noticed several bloggers post on the same subject at the same time quite independently of one another. More than anything, I’ve seen that many of us are willing to set aside our differences in background, culture, nationality and doctrine to spread the Good News to a worldwide audience as one: It seems quite clear to me that God is up to something in all of this. I can’t help thinking that this is how a movement gets started, at least this is how many movements have started, historically speaking.
The church is a living thing; it is organic, active and a force to be reckoned with, yet the lesson we must draw from its history is that like other organic things, it has ebbs and flows in its life. This has been evident throughout the history of the last 2,000 years; it is also evident in the life of ancient Israel. In much of the Western World over the last 60 years or so, the church seems to have been on the decline, it has ebbed. Could it be that we are seeing the beginning of the next flow? I believe that is the case, for not only are interesting things happening in blogs, but there is a transformation going on in many places today; I have seen it and experienced it myself, I have been involved in it myself. Most of us don’t really know about it, it hasn’t been reported in the New York Times, but it is there nonetheless. You might have heard something about it, perhaps you have heard that there are crazies in some parts of the country who aren’t “doing church” the right way; so modern, so odd. Of course, that’s what they said about the Great Awakening back in the 18th century, but it was very real and it had a huge impact both in Europe and America at the time; it was even one of the contributing factors leading up to the American Revolution.
I cannot pretend to predict the future, and I won’t try to do so here, but it seems clear enough that God is pretty busy these days, even though it’s the “other side” that is grabbing the headlines. Maybe one of these days, I’ll write some more on this, but for now, I really want to take this in a different direction while keeping these observations in mind.
Most of us are very aware of our relationship on a personal level with our Lord; these relationships are precious and we write about them often. More and more of us are becoming aware of the relationships that are forming among those of us who write Christian blogs; certainly I am. I have gotten to know several of you in fact over the last few years. For many, this community is more “real” and loving than their church relationships at their local church, you know the face to face relationships with other believers. We may find that our experience here is more fulfilling because even though we may all come from differing backgrounds, we are all of one mind when it comes to what is really of importance, while our friends at our regular churches are stuck in the mud; trapped by circumstances or old bad habits or whatever else is going on there. More and more we can see the difference…
Before you throw up your hands in frustration with your local church and consider the blogging church as a better alternative, I would ask you to think a while…
Consider: Isn’t it possible that God has brought us together here so that we might see a little bit of what is possible, and then take that vision back to our local churches and become the catalyst for transformation in our local congregations? If your relationship with Jesus Christ is precious to you, and your relationship with other Christians online is becoming precious to you, doesn’t it occur to you that those relationships that are “in person” with a growing and vital congregation that has its focus on brotherly love and selfless service would be even more precious?
I can say very clearly that my relationship with our Lord is nothing less that wonderful. I can also tell you that my relationship with the community of believers in my “home church” where such a transformation began about 6 years ago is wonderful plus ten. (If that makes any sense) I am pretty sure that I know the reason for this: It is because that relationship has the added feature of purpose; God’s purpose. We know from Genesis that God created humans for relationship with Him and to accomplish His purpose. Relationship + purpose = fellowship between Man and God and that is why we were created. Here in the “church” of blogs we have a taste of that, in our local congregations, we have the chance to have the entire fullness of Christ.
So, here’s a new challenge: If you will not step up, then who will? If not now, when?
I am, as always, looking forward to your thoughts…
Life Project Blog 
Pingback: Thoughts for the Christian blogger — TLP | Talmidimblogging
I agree with you that the Christian blogging community is very special. I think this is partly because we can freely talk about what’s most important in our lives – Jesus Christ. Where else can you go and just talk about the Lord and what He is doing in your life? I have also noticed common threads running through some of the various posts. I think, “That’s what God is speaking to my heart!” Or, “I needed that today.” In fact, nothing encourages me more than when someone comments, “Thank you! I needed this today.” Great post, Don! Blessings!
Thanks so much Cindy
I love the challenge about being the one who makes a difference in the church rather than running from it. Too many just give up and run away. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Tom
you may be right Tom. it’s been happening since the time of the disciples. Finally there were just 120 in the upper room in spite of Jesus performing so many miracles and touching so many lives. what happened to the rest after Jesus was crucified?
I have often wondered that myself.
Very encouraging. Thank you Don. Great post. God is doing a new thing! It doesn’t mean to replace the local Christian assembly though . You are right.
Thank you Sharon
Thank you for doing your part to blog to and about our amazing family: the family of God. And may He bless you abundantly in all things, including the great blogs you write.
Thank you so much, and may He continue to bless you as well
I so agree that in spite of the faults we may find in the local church, the answer is not to run away but to do what we can to encourage growth and yes change when needed. We can gain encouragement from our fellow Christian bloggers but ultimately the only way we can see real growth in the church is to stay and ask God to help us be that difference that is needed.
Amen
I agree with you Barbara. Love keeps no record of wrongs and love covers all things.
I absolutely agree with you that THE HOLY SPIRIT through GOD THE FATHER Unites HIS Church as One In HIS HOLY WORD. GOD BLESS YOU! And thank you for your support.
The Church is our family. There are many who Come-Sit-Listen and Leave. But they miss the fellowship God intends for His kids. A depth that can only be known by being known. Nice to meet you, Don. Keep blogging for His honor and glory!!
absolutely right Susan. A family that prays together, stays together. I believe there is need for increased prayer in the church, at homes, in the business world, among individual believers, among pastors, everywhere.
When we go to church why do we seek such perfection, when we ourselves are not perfect. How easily we forget that a church is a bunch of sinners who believe (for the most part) we are sinners in need of a Savior. If someone is looking for a perfect church well do not come to mine because I know I am far from perfect, the older I get I realize how far from the mark I am.
It is Satan’s way of getting a foothold in the door. I do believe there churches who are not following the Bible and do things directly against it, however I was only speaking on those who teach the Bible and say they are born again.
I wonder if we are heading back to the days where church was in the homes or under trees instead of building.
Church should be in our hearts with the Holy Spirit that has been given to us and our bodies are the temple.
Thanks for the post.
Hi Don: You expressed it well. This time is unprecedented, these day’s are unlike any before. God is certainly at work and it is upto us to remain sensitive and listen and act. The fact that we are connected despite the distances of space and time etc is proof enough that there can be unity and oneness irrespective of barriers. I am willing to put my hand up in a cause that meets a greater purpose. As an experienced believer I am open to thoughts you may have of furthering the love of the Lord. The joy you feel is something that must be shared with many others for them to experience it’s glory and majesty.
I am new to the Christian blogging community and to blogging altogether. I’m not quite sure how WordPress operates yet, or how to get my content out there, other than sharing on FB. Any advice is welcome.
Nevertheless, I was scrolling through the Christian blogs and well your blog title caught my eye. God is certainly up to something and I agree with you that we are on the verge of a major “flow.” Jesus seems to be in the thoughts of many in this strange moment in time. Thanks for the great topic. I will be keeping a watchful eye on the content coming out of the community.
Same I’m new to all this but really encouraged to find a huge community already using this platform to share truth and encourage others ❤️
Reading this blog tonight is definitely God driven, as recently I’ve felt like I’ve been put on ‘ice’ after my last sermon went badly wrong due to the sound being off so I kept loosing myself in my notes, due to social distancing I’ve not been able to meet up with my incumbent to discuss this. And they’ve not been responding to my emails or texts, and I’ve started to feel unappreciated and surplus to requirements.
When I felt the call to preach it was out of reach and then God reminded me of WordPress and I am so greatful for it because it is giving me experience and time to learn my own voice while exploring my own relationship with Jesus. It has been a great source of strength that I hope continues even as time goes on.
Similarly have felt so frustrated with so many notes collecting dust on my bedside. Very limited opportunity to operate in the gifting I know God has given me to communicate his truth. I’ve found blogging such a huge release in sharing. A great way to formulate my thoughts and preach on paper to an unseen audience.
You know, I haven’t heard back from many of the people that have read my posts but I know that God is working through all of us here on WordPress and who knows when someone will come across one of our posts and God will reach out at that moment. I have faith that every post has a purpose even if we don’t see it right away.
Thank you Don for spurring such meaningful thoughts. We must all collectively raise our voice in prayer to God that He revisit our hearts with a zeal for Him that consumes us. Keep inspiring and touching lives Don.