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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Opus 2013-42: Finding a church, part 4 of 4

Are you happy with the church you attend?  You have two choices, really.

The first choice is to stay and try to make a difference.  Remember when Elijah was complaining to the Lord.  It looked like all had turned away.  He was ready to give up and throw in the mantle.  God told him,
  (1 Kings 19:18 KJV)  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
It may be that your job is to keep your mantle on and be salt in your church.  I would say you need to be active salt.  You need to be vocal without being screechy.  You need to be strong without being arrogant.  You need to be prayed up and Spirit filled.  It is a legitimate choice.

The second choice is to go.  Lets assume that the church you attend has drifted into heresy and refuses to reform.  Suppose the pastor is rejecting the Bible.  Go.  But when you go, don’t look for a church to meet your needs.  That is the role of the Holy Spirit.  Look for a place where you can use your spiritual gifts to make a difference.  Find a place to serve.  Find a place that needs you.  Remember that we are called to be servants, not to be served.  Of course if you can master this attitude, you might not need to leave.

In either case the real focus should be on reviving yourself.  I think Groucho Marx make a quip one time about how he would never want to be part of a club that would accept him.  Another way I have heard it approached is that if you find the perfect church, don’t go there because then it won’t be perfect any more.

How do we revive the Church?  By allowing the Holy Spirit to revive us.  Then, go or stay we have the attitude and spiritual quality that makes us an asset, not a liability.

homo unius libri

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.