5 Perspectives to Have if You "Go to Church" {#5}

If you missed the first four posts in this series, 

you can read perspective 1 (the purpose of gathering together) here, 

perspective 2 (the church as a people) here,

and perspective 3 (who we are, not what we do) here,

and perspective 4 (accountability before God) here.

"Going to church" is largely viewed as what Christians "do."

In fact, a recent article shared 5 Spiritual Dangers of Skipping Church. According to this article, Christians who skip or do not attend a "church" 

1. "Miss out on God's primary design for your spiritual growth and well being"
2. "Disobey God"
3. "Make a statement to the world that God is not worthy of worship"
4. "Can't minister to anyone"
5. "Skip out on a foretaste of heaven"

Wow. Those are some pretty bold claims-- especially when these claims are only supported by three scriptures in the entire article. I could go point-by-point discussing with Biblical evidence each one. 

I will not do that, however. The point is not to prove or disprove someone's theology. The point is to have the faith of Christ (Galations 2:20), and to cling to His doctrine (Romans 6:17, 16:17, Ephesians 4:14)! My prayer is, "Show me Your ways, O Lord! Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me because YOU are the God of my salvation" (Psalm 25:4-5). As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "I am determined to know nothing- save Christ and Him crucified." We can only stand on the rock of Jesus.

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With that in mind, I would like to share with you 5 perspectives one should keep in mind if you "go to church." I will share these perspectives one by one in a series- since they are generally lengthy. This post discusses perspective 5.

5. Servant Leadership

{I am sure this post will be my most controversial post yet, and one many may disagree with. All I ask is that if you choose to discuss this topic with me that you respectfully do so. Thank you!}

I would like to paint for you a picture. 

Please imagine the setting and the events as they occur with me. (Also, please understand that I am giving an example that may contain flaws in logic or reality, although I have tried to make it as Biblically sound as possible while maintaining a fictional storyline.)

Ten families, of various abilities, means, size, ages, and character, live within a small radius of one another. Despite their differences, these families gather together on a regular basis because they have one common love: God. When they gather together, they usually gather at the home of the family with the most space. Sometimes, they meet at a park. Other times, they simply sit outside around a bonfire. Their favorite topic of discussion is the Lord. They worship the Lord through music, prayer, and study of His Word. They grow and flourish in the Lord.

The men in attendance take responsibility for their households, seeing that their children are taught in the ways of the Lord when they rise up, when they go about the day, and when they lie down. The women whose husbands do not attend the meeting ALSO call upon their husbands for counsel and decision making, empowering him to be the leader and spiritual leader of their home.

One afternoon, the families gathered together to fellowship in the Lord. A member of one family ministered in song with a chorus that was on his heart. A member of another family shared a Psalm she had read during the week and a word study that corresponded with it. As the assembly were worshipping together, a third family's member approached one of the group and asked if he could pray for them, as he felt lead in the Spirit. Another family's member gathered the children together and taught them about the miracles of Jesus. Yet another member brought a friend to join them in fellowship after sharing the gospel with her.

Later, one of the men from a sixth family brought up the idea of modesty for men and women, as he felt lead in personal study during the week. The families discussed the topic together and looked to the Word for direction. While sharing a meal together, one elderly woman mentions the weeds overtaking her garden. Immediately, three families offer their assistance. Before saying goodbye, two families help clean the area and put the home back into order. Then, everyone went home.

The men studied the ideas of modesty more thoroughly throughout the week and implemented their beliefs and findings from the Word. Their study was sobering, as they realized the weight of responsibility in leading their families. The women whose husbands do not attend the meeting also went to their husbands and asked for his thoughts on modesty. If their husband's thoughts did not contradict the principles of God's Word, then they also implemented changes. As the families gathered together once again, one could see a display of what "modesty" looks like. Some families focused on modesty in character. Some focused on modesty in dress. Others focused on modesty in lifestyle. These families had all grown in the faith, although each one had grown a little differently than the others.

What are some elements you notice in this scenario?

1. The people are likeminded in their love and hunger for God. (see also Perspective 1: The Purpose of Gathering Together)

Philippians 2:1-5 "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...."

2. These people gather together, although the location is insignificant. 

Hebrews 10:23-25 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

3. The men are the spiritual leaders of their home- even if they are not believers.

1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." {PLEASE Note: I have heard it said that the head of the man is the pastor. Please reference this scripture!!}

4. The women are in submission to their husbands.

1 Peter 3:1-2 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation {lifestyle} of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."

5. Several ministered among them- in song, prayer, word, teaching, evangelism, and service.

1 Corinthians 14:26 "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."

Ephesians 4:11 "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers...." 

Acts 6: 3 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."

6.  The focus of their fellowship was on God and his Word. Each one who ministered or led was a servant and humbled.

Mark 10:42-45 "And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, 'you know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Implications if You 'Go to Church'

Today, many Christians elevate their pastor, priest, pope, etc as an ultimate authority in their personal lives and as the voice of God Himself when it concerns spiritual matters. I have heard it preached that when "the man of God" is behind the pulpit, he is speaking in the Holy Ghost and ought to be obeyed- whether his thoughts are understood or not. Scripture states, however, that authority flows from God to Christ to man to wife. A third party person is not included in this flow.

Many people would say that their minister is in authority over them. In fact, scripture does not seem to use the term "minister" to refer to a position of authority. (To distinguish the difference, I will use "minister" as a verb instead of a noun.) One ministers to others by serving others. When you are "at church," look for the others that minister among you. Your pastor/preacher is not the only one who can minister, nor is he the main minister. Anyone who is lead of the Spirit and acts as a willing vessel and servant for the Lord is also ministering. If one is to minister, then he/she is simply a servant, whose role it is to meet the needs of the ones to whom he/she is serving.

In a body, there are many members that work together to make it function. Likewise, there are many who minister in the body of Christ. One man does not cause the whole body to function. YOU are a part of the body, too. As the Lord leads you, you also can minister.

One may minister in preaching, humbly bringing the Word of God to the Church, but it is the men of the church who must go home and determine what is so, teaching their children according to the Word. The men must determine how God would have their household to reflect the Word. As in my example, one man brought up the topic of modesty, and it looked differently in each household after the men had sought God for their specific household. The topic and issue are now between man and Christ- not man and his pastor/preacher and Christ.

**Disagreeing with your pastor is NOT necessarily rebellion, and it's not necessarily ignorance. Seek God for yourself, and allow Him to change and reflect through you. The Lord will teach us in His way, and the result of His teachings are saving grace.

Jesus Christ gave us an example of what ministry looks like; He came as a lowly servant. By His servitude, His character was revealed to men. Men began to follow after His teachings because they saw the result of those teachings in His life: giving, compassion, miracles- serving. Jesus lead by being a servant. If the fruit of one's life is NOT consistent with the Word of God, is not humble, and is not serving, then do NOT follow after his teaching- even if he does call himself a "minister." Follow after the example of godliness.

From what I can understand, the Bible refers to the ministry and the administration in the gathering together of believers. There is a distinction. While this blog post is already too long to go into detail, I encourage you to research these two roles in the body of Christ. Here is an interesting read about ministers.

Thank you for reading.

I feel so inadequate in sharing this last post. The topic is so broad, and the controversy so steep! My words are not sufficient to explain exactly as I mean. And there's so much scripture to read, study, and contemplate. I can only pray that the Lord will make or has made the perspective of servant leadership clear to you.

God bless you and keep you,

~Raquel