Our church is trying to compile a document of what we envision the ideal church to be. We're doing this so that we don't get trapped into simply avoiding things that we dislike in the traditional church without moving on to bigger and better things that God might have for us. I've found that this task is harder then I thought that it would be at first. I've had a fuzzy idea of some things that I wanted to see emphasized and pitfalls that I wanted to avoid but I'm finding it difficult to picture what I think God wants in the ideal church.
Some of the difficulty in this task is that I'm forced to work within human limitations. What I'd really like is to be in heaven where there won't be any more sin, interpersonal conflict or short-sightedness. Unfortunately (and fortunately) I'm still on this side of heaven. I'm trying to think through ways in which God's laws and expectations for us can be practically obeyed without blind legalism or simply skirting around the command.
What are your visions of the perfect church? The document that our church has compiled thus far can be viewed here. Please note that it is a very rough work in progress.
Posted by rose at November 16, 2004 04:00 PM | TrackBackSounds good to me, can I join? ;)
Posted by: Michelle at November 16, 2004 09:23 PMAdd a passion for the Gospel and a mission to make disciples.
Posted by: tim at November 18, 2004 07:33 AMMichelle, sure you can join. Just move to Vancouver :-)
Tim, thanks for the suggestion. We already have the two things you mention in the list although they are stated slightly differently. We included Matthew 28:19-20 because we see sharing the truth of the gospel locally and around the world as a major part of the mandate that Jesus gave his church. I'll admit though that none of us is very good at putting that into practice. That is something we all hope to improve.
Posted by: Joel Mawhorter at November 20, 2004 09:57 AMWhy are you so wrapped up in what other people do.. if everyone did what God wanted and never 'disobeyed', we wouldn't need salvation, would we?
What expression of love, spirituality, kindness and understanding are you showing to the human race? Your abrasive and rigid attitude on what the beliefs of others should be only creates a further rift between you and the people you are trying to 'save'.
How about you try accepting that people have different beliefs? Just because you don't think it's right doesn't mean it isn't so.