Ministry of Reconciliation

When talking about ministry of reconciliation it occurrs to me reconcile what and to what? I know what it is but do we practice it?

 

According to The Zondervan, Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Merrill C. Tenney, General Editor, synagogue is a place of assembly;

A Jewish institution for the reading and exposition of the Holy Scriptures. It is supposed that the synagogue had its precursor in the spontaneous gatherings of the Jewish people in the lands of exile on their day of rest and also on special feast days.

From the second century B.C. onward, the sect of the Pharisees assumed a leading role in the synagogues. (In other words clerics took control replacing the laypeople. My addition.)

The chief purpose of the synagogue was not public worship but instruction in the Holy Scriptures.  For the Jews it was not to be imagined that a people could be righteous without knowing God's holy character, and what was right in his eyes and what was wrong. And if God had revealed these things, plainly revelation was the place to go to learn them.

Jesus and his disciples frequently taught in the synagogues (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2; John 18:20; Acts 13:5, 15, 44; Acts 14:1; Acts 17:2-4, 10, 17; Acts 18:4, 26; Acts 19:8).

 

Strangers were regularly asked to address the congregation: Acts 13:15 after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." 

 

We do not consider that today. We protect our assemblies and enthusiastically guard our "pulpits." Could it be we hesitate to be more evangelistic because we are afraid we might attract someone not like ourselves? Today, diversity is not a favorable term in the church of Christ. Congregational autonomy is tolerated only when the other congregation functions as we function and thinks the way we think.

 

Could it be that the concept that our assembly's primary purpose is to worship with edification and encouragement being secondary limits us? We do not want to attract people different than ourselves. They might have different ideas than we have. We have concerns Paul did not have. We have property and pulpits to protect.

 

Could evangelizing from a defensive position be having a negative affect? Should be on the offensive?  That would require us to leave our stronghold.

 

Within the comfort of our stronghold do we do anything that possibly makes strangers uncomfortable? Do our suits and dresses make people in t-shirts and faded jeans uncomfortable? Does the formality of our assembly intimidate those not familiar with our customs? Does not being able to distinguish local members from the visitors encourage local visitors to want to come back?

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

 

When an ambassador spends most of their time in the embassy are they having the desired affect and influence?

 

Our new building can be a great tool and surely will be intimidating unless we make a concerted effort to make it not be.