I had to add the qualifier “aside from pray” into the title after I had already planned to write this post. Thanks Eli! I am not concerned with addressing any doctrinal shortcomings in this post and might not ever really get in depth into that here. I do want to point out some things we, Christians, brothers and sisters could do a little better. Before I get into the meat of this post, so to speak, I would like to say that this is not a time where I am going to complain about something and not be willing to be the one to make it happen.
Eat. That’s my answer to the above question. When we get together with family we usually eat. When we go out friends we usually eat. When we invite people to our home there is usually food involved. When we celebrate someone’s marriage there is food. When we mourn their death there is usually food. And yet when we come together weekly to worship, minister to each other, fellowship and so we usually don’t eat and when we do we break off into small cliques and go our separate ways to do so. We don’t make breaking bread part of our communal fellowship. A better man than I might research when we left this tradition behind but I am not concerned about the when and why.
Our new pastor recently spoke on the topic of sharing meals. He pointed out that around a table we let our gaurd down. We share more than we do simply standing around. On some level the sharing of food opens up for the sharing of our lives. I think this is an important concept that has been neglected by many churches. If we look to scripture we see the Apostles eating pretty constantly. When Peter was shown that God intended salvation for everyone the first thing he did was go eat with a non-Jewish family. When the prison walls fell and Paul walked out prison to find the gaoler about to fall on his sword he ministered to the man and then went and ate with him. We see the Apostles gathered for meals in Acts. And yet, even in the Restoration Movement, the communal meal seems to be lost.
I see no reason why we shouldn’t give the whole idea a shot. I think we would learn more about each other, our needs, our desires, our fears, and so on. Apparently some folks think this is a radical idea. Something new. So instead of trying to convince any board of elders, or a minister, that something should be done I am doing it myself. Right now the whole idea is in the planning stages but I have made some contacts and there is intrest from some of the people I want to have on board. I am not sure this needs more than a rough draft to get off the ground but the simple overview is a fellowship on an evening that won’t interfere with anyone going to their own church. A meal of some kind (no catered or fast food but that’s personal preference). Worship, communion, fellowship, food, and discussion and not necessarily in that order. I envision an evironment where there is someone to organize the big picture and some folks to help set it up and that core group would hold each other accountable for their commitments. On of that group would have something to speak on prepared but the hope would be that it wouldn’t be needed as the vision is a place where anyone can share what they have learned, been shown, or just found cool.
While I speak of the meal here the main focus of the whole fellowship would be worship, communion, and fellowship in that order. The food would be there simply because it should. No boundaries on who could come, who could share, or any creed to stop us from fellowshipping. That part is a little radical but to be honest I feel the truth will stand up to any false doctrine so I don’t want barriers to keep anyone out. I see an inclusive environment where worship is the key and people from all walks can come together and share a weekly meal.
Of course it’s still in the rough draft stages but it’s coming together so quickly that I am amazed. I am putting myself out there on this one because I am the one stepping up and trying to make it happen. I am committing myself to this idea and doing so in a very public manner. When we get this thing rockin’ , and I have no doubt we will, I will post times, dates and places.
There are three people in my life that have either inspired me, guided me, or supported me that have led to this being what it is and me actually committing to it. I am guessing you can figure out who you are. I want to thank those people. (Yes Mr. Stellhorn you are one them). I also want to thank my wife for her support as I try to figure out how to make this work.
Tony Woodlief is the subject of two of my posts today. It’s entirely uncommon that I post twice in a day, lately twice in a week, but I find myself having more and more to say. (I know this is techincally three posts but the first was a copy of one I posted on facebook days ago) I have a ton to talk about so there may be more posts forthcoming but I also have commitments I have to keep today so I may be limited to this post plus the previous.
Tony Woodlief published an article that presents a take on Christmas I had never considered. The article adresses a subject that has been near and dear to me since returning to the faith some seven years ago. He speaks of the blood of Christ in this piece and while not the focus it brought to mind the fact that I rarely post on my faith even though it is becoming a more central piece in my life. I plan to change that and do so starting today. The article linked above only served as the inspiration for this post but it is well worth a read and I think some of you may even find it inspiring. Now on to my main point.
When I walked away from the Word of Faith movement I also walked away from the faith as a whole. I wanted nothing to do with God or much of anything God related. Upon my return to the faith, not the WOF movement, I found myself mired in the Restoration Movement. Aside from sound doctrine I appreciated the ideals that spawned the movement even if the execution is lacking. I have remained there and likely will do so as long as they will have me. But I digress…I found that in our movement and indeed in many other churches I have attended over the years that there two things in the WOF movement that seem to not have enough emphasis. As I am not a church historian I do not know if this is historically a Protestant thing or if it something that has slowly happened to the church as a whole regardless of the schims. Actually there are three things but only one is my topic here. They are: Communion, Worship, and teaching on the blood of Christ.
All I want to delve into here is the blood of Christ. Tony’s piece mentions it and it is something that has been on mind a lot lately and even got discussed with Chris on Christmas! So I feel led to post about the lack. I am not going to go into some strange sermon mode here but rather try and simply state that I feel that simple things like talking about the blood of Christ is something that should be done more. Greek word studies are all well and good but if the basics are ignored then we have a bunch of book-smart and yet ignorant Christians who may be able to interpret Greek but miss the point.
Suffice to say that scripture backs my position on the importance of the blood of Christ. You can look for it yourself (and yes I am purposefully not posting the references as it makes people actually do the searches and more information seems to be retained that way). The hymn writers saw the importance as evidenced in the hymnbooks in the back of the pews at a lot of churches (neat segue into the worship topic but that’s Eli’s game and not mine right now). I firmly believe that the churches I have attended recently concern themselves more with actions than beliefs. An emphasis on actions is alright but if it’s the main focus your end up with the knowledge of what you should do and not why you should do it. If your beliefs are right then by necessity your actions will follow. (scripture backs that point as well, look it up!)
I challenge my friends to think about this and to take a good hard look at what you are being taught whilst warming the pews and see where the emphasis is in your church. Do your own study on the blood of Christ and its importance. Should you choose to accept my challenge I have a feeling your study will lead you in amazing directions! I don’t think any two of you will even be led down the same study path. God has this weird way of taking our study in a direction where we need it to go in spite of our intentions.
For those who have never noticed that I am a Christian. SURPISE! I am actually sorry if you never knew. I am still the same guy. Still the same music. Still the same favorite beer and small batch whiskey (maybe in smaller quantities these days). I am simply putting my faith out there. I will still go to a show and knock back a Lone Star with you any night I can get out of the house. 
I should have made this a more central piece of my life a long time ago.
