"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph. 4:4).
The guys at New Generation Church have decided to move on from the Black Box and from this week they will be meeting at a hotel in central Belfast. We at Hillstreet will remain at the Black Box Cafe each Sunday morning (come along around 11.00 am for a coffee before we kick off around 11.30 am). We believe that it was right to join their meetings over the past few weeks and, while we are truly saddened that we didn't have more time to get to really know everyone, we want to bless them as they move on. They are a great bunch of guys and so we pray that they will be filled and led by the Spirit as they build their expression of His Church in Belfast. Pour out your grace, mercy and freedom on them Lord!
Often in the church we struggle with a range of uniquely human-focused issues such as 'organisational structure,' our 'ministries' and positions of authority. At Hillstreet we have a two-tier structure. Jesus is "the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence." (Col. 1:18). Everyone else, that is everyone else (including Rodney and I who typically organise the meetings - someone has to do it!) are on an equal footing under Him. We are all "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26). We all need to take responsibility for establishing His Kingdom on this earth, for doing the 'stuff' if you like and for becoming more Christ-like through the indwelling and filling of his Holy Spirit. We have only one Lord over us - one that we can worship in Spirit and in Truth, one that knows us and keeps us and is a safe refuge for us, despite our failings, our deeds or any other baggage. No man or woman comes even close to that! Think about that as you gather to worship this weekend and whether you are at the front or the back, be a Son of God, be free in the Spirit and let His Kingdom come! Love to you all.
2 comments:
William does that mean the folk who have moved on to start another group had different ideas than you on how you do church.Another group is the last thing we need.There seems to be an epidemic of new groups that are just splits.The protestant disease I fear!
Sam
I agree absolutely that we all have equal value under God but I think we shouldn't mix up the concepts of 'function' and 'position'. There is a biblical model of church that sets out leadership functions. However, this should be outworked with a servant heart attitude and not one of hierarchy. Structure does not need to be conventional, if it's done in humility and with flexibility it is a great vehicle for growth.
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