Since this was the opening statement to this thread, I want to throw out another thought; what is the church? Is there a synod or a ruling council? Is there a department that gathers funds and sets up missionary's? Is there a council of bishops? or does it end with one person like the pope?
The Gospel was first preached to the Jews who rejected it out of hand (except for a few), it was then given to us, the gentiles, to bring the Jews to jealousy so eventually they would turn and repent and everything that would need to happen would be finished and Christ will then return and claim His Kingdom.
The first met at synagogues and proclaimed the gospel, after they met the first day of the week, in houses and together when ever they could. So now we will talk about a purpose built building, can you feel this within the Spirit within you, a gnawing, knowing there is a miss match, knowing something isn't right.
To put together the resources you have been given into bricks and mortar and not into people who will bring Glory to God, so on that day they will worship Him for the love shown to them in His name. We argue about giving money to the poor in case they waste it. Can you take it with you? and who's money is it any way? who provided your excess to be able to give?
The damage is already done, churches as buildings is a reality and that is that, but this is not all there is or ever was. Those in who the Spirit of God lives in are called to know those things Jesus has for us. There is going to be an out pouring of the Spirit of God that will rival the first. The churches will not contain it, try as they might (at least for a season). The power of God will be shown to the earth and then the evil one, the antichrist, will come against it like a flood, thrashing his teeth to destroy and usurp, to kill and remove from the face of the earth all signs of God and set himself up as god.
But those who know the Lord will shine for a time, they will salt the earth and make it flavoursome to God, they will shine and give light to those who are confounded by the darkness.
We must be ready to stand and be of use to the Spirit of God, We are the teachers and pastors, we are to be the deacons (servants) of the true Church and wash the feet of those to come.
This though is not the end of the matter, Do we need paid pastors?, probably until we all come to maturity in Christ and take responsibility for ourselves in Him. Wasn't this what Paul talked about when he mentioned maturity and the different stages, child, young man and fathers? he enclosed it by saying we should all come to a state of maturity in Christ.
I mentioned "the damage is done" I repent of these words, Jesus Church is not damaged but those who would seek to rule it are (I am not talking about pastors), it is not ours to rule it belongs to Jesus, He will show the way, He will be seen by all when He is lifted up as the way forward. He will bring about the maturity of each member as we meet and fellowship and pray together. He will show us what we need to do and guide us on that path.
With the church system we have Jesus can work when we, within the society we live in day to day, are in unity through hardship or other conflicts that occur. There is always a way forward when Jesus is allowed to rule because He is bigger than the problem and we are at a loss to what to do.
Personally I do have a problem with the church system we have, I hold my hands up and admit it. Jesus is not bound to any system whether it works or not and the hierarchy set up 1600 years ago to control the masses has grown bigger than that, God has been allowed in in some way whether big or small but here He is.
It is now up to us to move forward in Jesus and obtain the maturity He wants from us. We can not sit back and be "pew sitters" we can not just see a need and fill it on the small scale we have to let Jesus show us the bigger scale, His birds eye view, we need His vision for us, we need His vision for His church and the faith and strength to let go and let God.
Yes we can meet together in hundreds and thousands, but we will never get the family fellowship we need to survive if that is all we do. We need to be accountable with and to each other, to pray with each other. Yes we can say we love our brothers and sisters but there is no reality to that statement if we don't have true fellowship with them and true family time with them.
Meeting up within the week for bible study is one way but for an hour? if you meet your friend for a coffee is it just for an hour? then why do we do it with our family in Christ? I meet with my neighbour for a game of chess and am thankful for what he gives me in return, his company etc I give thanks to God for His provision as a witness to him and I will persevere, but the games never only last an hour, two or three may be but never one.
It is God in our lives that make life worth while and it is never done in small measure.
