While we celebrate 500 years since the Reformation, we still see a need that we always continue to reform if such reform is warranted. We do not wish to get stuck in the "traditions of men", but must always evaluate if what we are doing supports our beliefs or whether or not we should be doing "at least some" things differently. The Gospel should be our motivation and should create first and foremost a love for one another. Waiting on God rather than making things happen is just one area where the modern "larger is better" church movement has hindered growth.
PARTICIPATION - In large churches it is often mentioned that only 15% of the people truly get involved. Solutions to this often miss the issue, claiming that perhaps that is all who truly believe, or even that its just laziness or unwillingness of the other 85%. We think that a large part of this problem is that churches (usually larger is better leaders) are focused too much on growth (almost at any means) , rather than focused on each individual in their midst, which according to scripture have gifts that should be sought out and encouraged without feeling controlled and or pressured to conform to the Elders "way" of doing things. Elder rule we believe in, but they must be careful to not be "lording over" rather than being servants shepherding their brethren.
STEWARDSHIP - How many congregations today have reversed the priority when it comes to giving? For example, many churches spend most of their budget on a Pastor and overhead, rather than on the needs of the overall unit and the means to further evangelize those around us. The Elders were also commanded to work with their hands and its debatable as to whether Paul meant the "Evangelist" should make their living of the gospel only or did he have all Elders in mind as well? Are we not all called to preach the gospel? Gifts of charity to Elders and full time pay in larger churches who from the beginning have their priorities in order we do not disagree with, but if the entire budget is being consumed on buildings, Pastors, overhead, this would not seem to best represent what the early church had in mind or practiced.
CHURCH MEETINGS- The meeting together as a church always seemed to be in a situation where a meal was involved (including the Lord's Supper) and that everyone in a orderly fashion were able to participate. Modern day Bible studies and small groups do fill this void somewhat, but why wouldn't we want to follow how they did it originally? Make that gathering the main gathering and include a time for the preaching of the Word as well? This in and of itself would solve a lot of the "participatory" issues mentioned above. Keeping churches small and branching out would better facilitate this. This would include the use of house churches, renting spaces, or even in meeting in a Library so that the focus is closer to what we see in scripture. How much time and effort is wasted these days on worrying about having a building and making everything "fun" so that we can attract the world?
GOSPEL (motivation)- The gospel from a New Covenant perspective should be our motivator-not the law. Understanding what the law was for is important. We must teach repentance of sin lest anyone not understand the need for Christ, but once this understanding is clear, we must never fall back on what was fulfilled in Christ, but must always fall forward into our Savior where obedience compelled by love will smother legalism. Grace motivates, the law kills-that's it. A proper understanding that the Old Covenant is passed away and the New Covenant is here and that Christ is that Covenant, is the surest way to get all believers involved and working unto the Lord. The law then cannot be separated into parts, it either was fulfilled with Christ or it wasn't. Love because of Christ, will drive the believer to do what is right, countless rules and box checking only leads to a form of self righteousness no matter now much we try to avoid it.
We hope it is clear that although we speak of much that should probably be changed or worked toward in order for us to be more like the original church and thus create the proper atmosphere for true growth and fellowship, this is not some "hey we discovered something new" idea. Instead, we would see it as a return to scriptures as our guide and not tradition.
We support large churches and the reformed movement on this site, as the most successful of them hold a very high view of God and the gospel, but it doesn't mean there isn't room for additional reform.
PARTICIPATION - In large churches it is often mentioned that only 15% of the people truly get involved. Solutions to this often miss the issue, claiming that perhaps that is all who truly believe, or even that its just laziness or unwillingness of the other 85%. We think that a large part of this problem is that churches (usually larger is better leaders) are focused too much on growth (almost at any means) , rather than focused on each individual in their midst, which according to scripture have gifts that should be sought out and encouraged without feeling controlled and or pressured to conform to the Elders "way" of doing things. Elder rule we believe in, but they must be careful to not be "lording over" rather than being servants shepherding their brethren.
STEWARDSHIP - How many congregations today have reversed the priority when it comes to giving? For example, many churches spend most of their budget on a Pastor and overhead, rather than on the needs of the overall unit and the means to further evangelize those around us. The Elders were also commanded to work with their hands and its debatable as to whether Paul meant the "Evangelist" should make their living of the gospel only or did he have all Elders in mind as well? Are we not all called to preach the gospel? Gifts of charity to Elders and full time pay in larger churches who from the beginning have their priorities in order we do not disagree with, but if the entire budget is being consumed on buildings, Pastors, overhead, this would not seem to best represent what the early church had in mind or practiced.
CHURCH MEETINGS- The meeting together as a church always seemed to be in a situation where a meal was involved (including the Lord's Supper) and that everyone in a orderly fashion were able to participate. Modern day Bible studies and small groups do fill this void somewhat, but why wouldn't we want to follow how they did it originally? Make that gathering the main gathering and include a time for the preaching of the Word as well? This in and of itself would solve a lot of the "participatory" issues mentioned above. Keeping churches small and branching out would better facilitate this. This would include the use of house churches, renting spaces, or even in meeting in a Library so that the focus is closer to what we see in scripture. How much time and effort is wasted these days on worrying about having a building and making everything "fun" so that we can attract the world?
GOSPEL (motivation)- The gospel from a New Covenant perspective should be our motivator-not the law. Understanding what the law was for is important. We must teach repentance of sin lest anyone not understand the need for Christ, but once this understanding is clear, we must never fall back on what was fulfilled in Christ, but must always fall forward into our Savior where obedience compelled by love will smother legalism. Grace motivates, the law kills-that's it. A proper understanding that the Old Covenant is passed away and the New Covenant is here and that Christ is that Covenant, is the surest way to get all believers involved and working unto the Lord. The law then cannot be separated into parts, it either was fulfilled with Christ or it wasn't. Love because of Christ, will drive the believer to do what is right, countless rules and box checking only leads to a form of self righteousness no matter now much we try to avoid it.
We hope it is clear that although we speak of much that should probably be changed or worked toward in order for us to be more like the original church and thus create the proper atmosphere for true growth and fellowship, this is not some "hey we discovered something new" idea. Instead, we would see it as a return to scriptures as our guide and not tradition.
We support large churches and the reformed movement on this site, as the most successful of them hold a very high view of God and the gospel, but it doesn't mean there isn't room for additional reform.
Semper Reformanda
"Always Reforming"
We do not believe this means we "reform" just for the sake of it. Instead we use it to
simply mean that if necessary "especially as the traditions of men gain prominence", to make
sure we return to the original intent of the Reformation and make changes when needed.