Et Al
Me Thinking Out Loud
I have mentioned this before. My wife and I have begun an
effort to establish a congregation that presents message of restoration and
all that this might include. What is different now is this -- now
is the time. Here we go -- in
other words. I had hoped for help and hav waited for a
decision. That was made and, now it is time.
I believe that God may open an important door of opportunity in the
following:
The local newspaper may give me a 300 word space for free each week if I
can write something that is of interest
---------------- the next few days will be full of effort at
writing four such articles which I submit to the editor. If
he likes what he reads -- I may have such an opportunity. The
trick will be to be fresh and "new" while being "religious' (a problematic endeavor.) If I cannot
write with words of interest -- this will not be an opportunity for the
Lord. So I will enlist your prayers.
ChristianLifeCounselingMinistries (my
personal ministry) will play an important and expanding role in the life
of this church -- and the ministry of reconciliation will be given
practical application in the workings of those who would offer lay counsel to
those who are in need of direction (problem marriages, troubled
teens, etc).
This "mission church" for the Restorative Gospel (if you
will) will begin as a para-church
activity, meeting on Sunday evenings (at least initially).
Participants will be encouraged to remain in their church of choice, if
that is to their liking AND fellowship with the home
church. The draw for them, in this situation would be that
found as God works in the teaching of the message of the truine God, the consequences and resolutions
concerning the problematic fall of man, the work and ministry of
Christ, in demonstration of the fullness
of the invisible God, tears down the barriers that occurred because of
or at the time of the fall of man establishing a reconciliation of all things
and ushering in the divine imperative expressed in "be ye reconciled to
God."
A statement of faith will be inclusive of an _expression_ of all the
above.
The fellowship will be based upon a common interest and even acceptance
of the Christ as revealed in the biblical record without regard to creedal
concerns. Agreement to a particular creedal concern will not be the deciding factor in continuing
fellowship within this body.
Leadership will be based upon an acceptance of the Christ as a relational
presence in his/her life.
Divisiveness will be defined in terms of harm done to various
relationships within the group and the corporate peace of mind.
This group will take seriously Christ's
concern for unity.
Constructive criticism is invited.
John Smithson
