Church Is Not A Building

Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, its how we think of it. “I go to First Baptist.” “We are members of St. Luke’s.” “Is it time to go to church?” Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all. When the Scripture talks about church, it means community. The little fellowships of the heart that are outposts of the kingdom. A shared life. They worship together, eat together, pray for one another, go on quests together. They hang out together, in each other’s homes. When Peter is sprung from prison, “he went to the house of Mary the mother of John…where many people had gathered and were praying” (Acts 12:12).Anytime an army goes to war or an expedition takes to the field, it breaks down into little platoons and squads. And every chronicle of war or quest will tell you that the men and women who fought so bravely fought for each other. That’s where the acts of heroism and sacrifice take place, because that’s where the devotion is. You simply can’t be devoted to a mass of people; devotion takes place in small units, just like a family. We have stopped short of being an organization; we are an organism instead, a living and spontaneous association of individuals who know one another intimately, care for each other deeply, and feel a kind of respect for one another that makes rules and bylaws unnecessary. A group is the right size, I would guess, when each member can pray for every other member, individually and by name.This is the wisdom of Brother Andrew, who smuggled Bibles into communist countries for decades. It’s the model, frankly, of the church in nearly every country but the U.S. Now, I’m not suggesting you don’t do whatever it is you do on Sunday mornings. I’m simply helping you accept reality – that whatever else you do, you must have a small fellowship to walk with you and fight with you and bandage your wounds. This is essential.

(Waking The Dead , 192 )
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Cross-church functioning! (Thanks Tim)

Just wanted to say what a blessing and joy it was to have Tim Morris (and Chris and Brittany) join us this past two Sundays to teach us about how to listen to God. The first Sunday was 2+ hours of awesome dialogue on this important topic (not a dull moment), and this last Sunday was some more dialogue, and then a wonderful time of practicing listening together in groups of 3. But it was not formal or dry - it was rich, and deep, and shared, and powerful. It was so good for me (and I believe for all of us).

Anyway I felt like it was a great example of sharing our gifts with other church families. Modern traditional Christian thinking has often made us to believe (even without saying it) that every single church has someone with the gift of teaching - but this was not so in the first century churches, and it is not necessarily so in modern organic church families as well. One church might have a prophet amongst them, another a teacher, another an evangelist or an apostle - and I believe that they should be open to being used in neighboring churches for the edification of every church family in the city. I think that part of our traditional mindset separates us from other church families, and it is a mindset I would love to see completely overcome - by LOVE.

I long to see the glory of the body of Jesus working in perfect harmony - every part doing its job at the prompting of the head - without the divisions and segregations of local church families. I feel like Tim (from a neighboring church over in Littleton) coming and teaching us is a great example of how God wants us all, from differing church families, to be connected - growing and working together as His glorious body in Denver!

pics and videos from last sunday

Here are some pics and videos from last sunday (below)!!
We gathered at the Mcgraths place up in Kittredge. A very nice family time of eating, singing, sharing, praying, and then taking turns on the "ATV" - a garden cart with no sides... um, yeah -- thats a big hill!! Then to the mountain park and creek! Lots of fun this past Sunday.

Len & Rico
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzD4bL9fDpc

Bruce & Joy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_mUQ1pC52Y&feature=channel

Nate, Caleb & Collin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAbXF2by6AE&feature=channel

Len & Sean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn-18XEQBGI&feature=channel

Sean & Jess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2doxcQlz_A&feature=channel

Pics 020109 gathering

Just a few highlights. New babies was the most fun part! Both 2 weeks old, and they are 3 days apart. Naomi and Gracie!

Feeding the Hungry

Wednesday evening (02/11) we'll be heading to a homeless hotel and ministry site at 15 11th Ave (between Lincoln and Broadway on 11th - downtown) - at 11th Ave Art Gallery... this is where John Swanger and his friends pack lunches every Wednesday night to prepare to feed and minister to the homeless the next morning. Whoever feels the burden and wants to join us - we'll meet there at 7pm to meet and hang with John Swanger and his friends for a bit.

We're waiting on Papa to show us how he wants us to be involved in this project. Reminds me of the words of our Savior,

Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me... I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters you were doing it to me!' (Mat 25:34-40)

Waiting on the Lord about giving...

Lord has been speaking to us and moving in us about giving over the last few weeks. We all have the desire to give as a church family, and to work together for His kingdom in that regard, yet we haven't been practicing it as a group for a while. So this week we will be listening to Jesus and when we come together next week we will share what kinds of causes and needs we each want to give to and try to formulate a basic plan for giving together.

I know that when we have given as a church in the past, it has helped me and my family to give more consistently, more generously, and more cheerfully. Accountability really helps when it comes to something like money.

It also helps with teaching the children and the newer believers among us the importance and joy of giving. Unless they see us doing it together, they may never learn the importance of giving.

Giving to the Lord helps us to be more responsible with what He has entrusted us with, helps us to rely more heavily upon Him alone, and helps us to be prepared to give when a real need arises among us. It helps free us from the taskmaster of money in our culture, and it reminds us constantly of why we are here: not for ourselves, but for the kingdom of God.

Let us not forget that God's agents on this earth are the poor, widows, fatherless, and his ministers who preach the gospel. If we want to give to God, thats who we give through. So let us wait on Him and trust that He will tell us where and how He wants us to give the resources we have as a church family. We should be ready and willing to give our time and energy (not just money) as well!

A few principles from scriptures to remember:
1. Honor the Lord with the first part of all your increase - Prov 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine."
2. Prov. 19:17 - "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord."
3. We will ultimately be judged by God regarding what support we gave to the hungry, thirsty, foreigners, sick, those in need of clothing, and those in prison - Mat. 25:31-46.
4. The early churches consistently gave to the poor, feeding them and including them in their love feasts - Luke 18:22, 1 Cor. 11:20-22, Gal. 2:10, Rom. 15:26.
5. Give and even more will be given back to you. We will reap what we sow. Luke 6:38, 2 Cor. 9:6, Gal. 6:7.
6. Those who are taught the Word of God should share everything they have with those who teach them. Ministers of the Word of God are meant to be supported by God's people - Gal. 6:6, 1 Cor. 9:11-14.
7. Each should give however much his Lord has laid on his heart, and there is no set amount required of believers to give. With that in mind, we should give generously and with a glad and thankful heart - 2 Cor. 9:7, Acts 4:32-35.

Looking prayerfully forward to the future and to our giving,
Sean

The Fruit of the Womb

New baby Graciella Anastasia Hyatt! Born Friday 1/16 at 4:39pm at Parker hospital... Thank you Jesus!

Leah and Rico (Leonard Sr's daughter and son in law) who have been a part of our church family in the past also had a new baby girl last week on Tuesday 1/13... and I can't remember her name and don't have a pic yet, but as soon as I get them I will post them here!