Thinking Outside the Box

February 18
I readily admit, one is bucking the odds in America when he makes any move to get back to the grass roots of the church. Not many have the ability to think outside the box. I’ve been in and out of traditional local churches for decades, and I can only conclude after observing the millions of dollars I have personally seen them wasting on maintaining mega-structures, multiple six digit salaries for pastors, programs that do little or nothing to grow believers to maturity, and the entire absence of street preaching ministries, they’re duping millions of sheep and goats into supporting ministries that are not, being blessed by the God of creation. I will even go so far as to suggest most of the programs of these churches probably weren’t God’s idea to begin with.

Three of the best church groups I ever joined or led were based in homes. In bible college I led a home church that met in our apartments. Evangelism was a priority. Bible study was intense. Monologues (aka sermons) were non-existent. Of course, for first century churches monologues were the exception, not the rule (I Corinthians 14:26-39). And people were getting saved as each of the members was making sure they preached the gospel to those with whom they worked and dealt each day. Paul referred to the “church in your house” in several of his letters (Acts 8; Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:9; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2). The historical record indicates churches met in houses most of the time until around 386 A.D. when Constantine, the emperor of Rome (apparently a false convert), declared Christianity the national religion of the empire.

While I admit it is not inherently evil or mismanagement of God’s funds to build a large place for Christians to meet, I have written a book on the topic that argues from scripture they are seldom necessary. Traditional church leaders always argue with me their mega-organizations do much more for the kingdom of God than do itsy, bitsy little home churches. Of course, such argument just indicates they have no idea Who is doing the real work in ministry; and they know even less how the first century home churches were structured. Certainly, godly men must be leading any established church ministry. I Timothy 3, Titus 1, and Ephesians 4 make it clear all churches must be guided and get their bible instruction from men who are called to be evangelists, prophets, apostles, and pastor/teachers. I’ve written a systematic (exhaustive) bible study on church leadership for anyone interested in studying that issue further.

For the sake of brevity, I will close today’s instruction with the following. Before you assume the traditional local church is the best way to see the gospel ministered in your community, find out how many members in those churches are actually preaching the gospel in the streets, their homes, to the merchants with whom they deal daily, and where they work. I believe you’ll be shocked at the number who don’t even know what the gospel is. It’s an incredibly sad testimony to local churches throughout the land that so few have any idea what one must do to join the army of God in bringing the gospel to a lost word. I have written a blog where I clearly present my personal testimony. It demonstrates what things must be contained in any presentation that attempts to help a lost soul get found. It’s titled “My Personal Testimony.” Now, go and tell someone what great things God has done for you.