Billy Graham's Prayer for Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.  We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.  We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.  We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment  Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!' 

Senior version of Jesus Loves Me

 
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

Justin Martyr's description of a second century gathering of the local Church.

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we blessthe Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day calledSunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these goodthings. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours theorphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; andJesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.

Does God Only Help Those Who Help Themselves

Where in the bible does it instruct us to pray for the sick but call the doctor first? Also where in the Bible is the concept that God will not protect our church buildings unless we first install a security system?  

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

Re: Outlive Your Life

I do not believe  that God is real for most people who consider themselves Christian.

 

At our last mens business meeting the subject was securing the building. We have an alarm system but do not have it on. We will turn it on soon. I don't think we need one. The catholics have had open buildings for centuries and anyone can go in and pray or or genuflect or whatever. While we lock our building to keep the derelicts out. One fellow told me the other night that where he used to go the building was broken into and their food supply for the poor was pretty much ransacked. I asked him what the problem was. Their congregation had participated in a benevolent act without having to participate. Apparently we are concerned someone will steal our sound system. I told them no problem if they do we can get a better one.
 
ON television several years ago some prognosticator was positive looking down the road 5 years of what Iran would do if Israel did such and such . But when asked what Iran was going to do tomorrow in response to a certain act by Israel today he was not sure.   It appears the more verifiable the less his confidence and when the act is less verifiable his confidence increased.
 
Same with prayer. Does it say anything about a people's convictions when they claim prayer works and have absolute confidence God will heal their sick but are not that confident about him protecting the congregation's property?
 
How about the confidence shown by others who withhold medical treatment because their faith in God's healing is so great. Why do you suppose we think they are loony for having such a ridiculous faith?
 

I for one have never met a righteous man or at least I have not been in their presence when they were saying one of those effective prayers. I have never experienced or observed effective prayer. And from what I observed and experienced no one I know has either. We talk a lot but our prayers are hollow. When attempts are made to discuss or think on the subject the response is to belittle the effort. Our classes are shallow and there is no learning. Hollow prayer is the product of shallow learning.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Grover W. Hastings <gwh1206@comcast.net> wrote:

John this is an excerpt from Max Lucado's book title above. Look carefully at what I've highlighted in red below. Are we known as a house of prayer? This bothers me considerably.

Col 4:2

Pray First, Pray Most

One of our Brazilian church leaders taught me something about earnest prayer. He met Christ during a yearlong stay in a drug-rehab center. His therapy included three one-hour sessions of prayer a day. Patients weren't required to pray, but they were required to attend the prayer meeting. Dozens of recovering drug addicts spent sixty uninterrupted minutes on their knees.

I expressed amazement and confessed that my prayers were short and formal. He invited (dared?) me to meet him for prayer. I did the next day. We knelt on the concrete floor of our small church auditorium and began to talk to God. Change that. I talked; he cried, wailed, begged, cajoled, and pleaded. He pounded his fists on the floor, shook a fist toward heaven, confessed, and reconfessed every sin. He recited every promise in the Bible as if God needed a reminder. He prayed like Moses.

When God determined to destroy the Israelites for their golden calf stunt, "Moses begged the Lord his God and said, 'Lord, don't let your anger destroy your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with your great power and strength. Don't let the people of Egypt say, "The Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt for an evil purpose." . . . Remember the men who served you—Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. You promised with an oath to them'" (Ex. 32:11–13 NCV).

Moses on Mount Sinai is not calm and quiet, with folded hands and a serene expression. He's on his face one minute, in God's the next. He's on his knees, pointing his finger, lifting his hands. Shedding tears. Shredding his cloak. Wrestling like Jacob at Jabbok for the lives of his people. And God heard him! "So the Lord changed his mind and did not destroy the people as he had said he might" (v.14 NCV).

Our passionate prayers move the heart of God. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Prayer does not change God's nature; who he is will never be altered. Prayer does, however, impact the flow of history. God has wired his world for power, but he calls on us to flip the switch.

Most of us struggle with prayer. We forget to pray, and when we remember, we hurry through prayers with hollow words. Our minds drift; our thoughts scatter like a covey of quail. Why is this? Prayer requires minimal effort. No location is prescribed. No particular clothing is required. No title or office is stipulated. Yet you'd think we were wrestling a greased pig.

Speaking of pigs, Satan seeks to interrupt our prayers. Our battle with prayer is not entirely our fault. The devil knows the stories; he witnessed the angel in Peter's cell and the revival in Jerusalem. He knows what happens when we pray. "Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places" (2 Cor. 10:4 NCV).

Satan is not troubled when Max writes books or prepares sermons, but his knobby knees tremble when Max prays. Satan does not stutter or stumble when you walk through church doors or attend committee meetings. Demons aren't flustered when you read this book. But the walls of hell shake when one person with an honest heart and faithful confession says, "Oh, God, how great thou art."

Satan keeps you and me from prayer. He tries to position himself between us and God. But he scampers like a spooked dog when we move forward. So let's do.

Let's pray, first. Traveling to help the hungry? Be sure to bathe your mission in prayer. Working to disentangle the knots of injustice? Pray. Weary with a world of racism and division? So is God. And he would love to talk to you about it.

Let's pray, most. Did God call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but he did call us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).

Did Jesus declare: My house shall be called a house of study? Fellowship? Music? A house of exposition? A house of activities? No, but he did say, "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Mark 11:17 NIV).

No other spiritual activity is guaranteed such results. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action" (Matt. 18:19 MSG). He is moved by the humble, prayerful heart.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.

(Colossians 4:2–3 NLT)

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you created all that exists, and you keep it running through your infinite wisdom and boundless power. Yet you invite me to come to you in prayer, boldly and with the expectation that you will hear me and answer me. Teach me, Lord, to take full advantage of this amazing 

, especially in regard to reaching others with your love. Give me a heart for those who have yet to experience the fullness of your grace, and prompt me to pray for them and for their welfare, both in this world and in eternity. Lord, bring me to the front lines of this battle. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

*******************************

Grover W. Hastings

gwh1206@comcast.net

In God We Trust

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."  President Ronald Reagan

 

Speaking of Security

At our last mens business meeting the subject was securing the building. We have an alarm system but do not have it on. We will turn it on soon. I don't think we need one. The catholics have had open buildings for centuries and anyone can go in and pray or or genuflect or whatever. While we lock our building to keep the derelicts out. One fellow told me the other night that where he used to go the building was broken into and their food supply for the poor was pretty much ransacked. I asked him what the problem was. Their congregation had participated in a benevolent act without having to participate. Apparently we are concerned someone will steal our sound system. I told them no problem if they do we can get a better one.

 

ON television several years ago some prognosticator was positive looking down the road 5 years of what Iran would do if Israel did such and such . But when asked what Iran was going to do tomorrow in response to a certain act by Israel today he was not sure.   It appears the more verifiable the less his confidence and when the act is less verifiable his confidence increased.

 

Same with prayer. Does it say anything about a people's convictions when they claim prayer works and have absolute confidence God will heal their sick but are not that confident about him protecting the congregation's property?

 

How about the confidence shown by others who withhold medical treatment because their faith in God's healing is so great. Why do you suppose we think they are loony for having such a ridiculous faith?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

Ramifications

Something I find interesting is looking at the ramifications of what we believe. Example: Jesus said only the Father knows when the end will come. How can they be unified if the Father knows something the Son and Spirit do not?
 
Paul told the church in Rome the Gentiles are a law unto themselves and will be saved on that basis. They either are saved with sins intact or their sins are forgiven without their being "in Christ" without having "come in contact with the blood of Christ." How? 
 
Jesus told a story or parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Apparently Lazarus was saved because he was poor while the rich was lost because he was unloving. Regardless their fate was set before Jesus died. Lazarus was "saved" before Christ died and without coming in contact with the blood of Christ.
 
If God can save without the blood of Christ why did he require Jesus to die? If there was other ways why didn't he take them? Was he just being arbitrary? Sometimes in our effort to make God be fair we confuse things.

Flocking

Al,

Recently we received the September issue of Gospel Advocate to which we have subscribed for probably close to 40 years. This issue is entitled "The Care and Feeding of the Flock." It occurred to me a small congregation can get away without elders but can a congregation of 150 members with a million dollar plus building? I am as much the problem as anyone because I have no interest in being an elder. But does it say something about a congregation of 150 when it has no one qualified to be an elder or interested in being and elder and has no plans to get people to be qualified?

In his editorial, Neil Anderson writes that sheep flock together, but they tend to wander without good leadership, Considering we lead by committee are we headed in the right direction?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Mormon Crickets?

I recently read about Mormon crickets. I found additional information when I Google'd "mormon crickets." When the Mormons first went to Utah these crickets almost ruined the Mormons plans to establish in Utah. Migrating seagulls stopped by and ate the crickets thus saving the day. The Mormons consider that a miracle. They believe the seagulls were an answer to their prayers. The timing was perfect. They believe the migrating was nature but the timing was God. If not for the seagulls the millions of crickets would have destroy the vegetation.
 
Assuming you investigate a little you will have to determine if you believe the seagulls were a miracle and God's answer to their prayer. They believe God answered their prayer. If he did we might want to give the Mormon religion a little for attention.

 

I wonder how what you say for a cricket to think they are Mormon?

Must Have Bible Support

In the October Christian Chronicle there is a story about a family from Nigeria now living in Atlanta. The article goes:
 
The journey that brought the Ehimares to America began in Benin City, Nigeria. Aburime, then 13, was a street hawker and a devout Pentecostal. He believed that, by speaking in tongues, he could heal the sick---and even raise the dead.
 
When a neighbor's 2-year-old daughter died, the family asked him to do just that. He failed and his faith was shaken. And the story continues.
 
He believed he could do something without support in the Bible.  Sometimes we do the same and when we do we are no different than a 13-year-old street hawker in Benin City, Nigeria who was a devout Pentecostal and thought he could raise the dead.

Fwd: Gatlinburg church of Christ

Al and Howard,

 

I received the note below from friends at the Gatlinburg church. I am forwarding it in case you want to announce it, promote it, attend it, or not.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rita H. Barton <rita@bartonquest.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Subject: Gatlinburg church of Christ
To: John Jenkins <jrjenki@gmail.com>

Have you ever wondered "How old is the Earth?" – or- "Did humans and dinosaurs exist together?" – or perhaps - "Did humans evolve from ape-like creatures?"  We invite you to join us as we investigate the evidence.  Please mark your calendars for October 22, 23 and 24 for a series of meetings led by Dr. Brad Harrub.  Dr. Harrub is a scientist who discusses the theory of evolution in light of the truth found in the scriptures.  He is especially effective with young people as he shares with them the truth as it differs from what is being taught in the class rooms.  Remember, those dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22, 23 and 24. We hope you will join us.

www.gatlinburgchurchofchrist.com

 

Something to which to take Umbrage

At the risk of sounding like a heretic, I believe our prayers define our view of God. 

We believe God will heal a sick person, only if we specifically ask, while he stands or sits bye as a child is beaten to death or sexually molested. 

We believe that while we are traveling God will let us run into a tree unless we have asked him to protect us. 

We believe God will let our soldiers lean on an IED unless we specifically ask him to stop them. But if asked and only if asked he will change the trajectory of a bullet or missile to avoid our friend. 

You may suspect me of this already but what would you think of me if we were walking down the street and while I could see it about to happen I let you walk into a street sign. When you asked why I didn't tell you I say you did not ask me to. 

Since I do not like to volunteer to do things but will if asked, does that make me Christlike? That apparently is how we view Jesus.

We should really evaluate how we really perceive God.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

In Jesus' Name

What does Jesus mean when he says John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."  And does saying "in Jesus name" qualify?

Acts 2:38 (ESV)  

    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

Acts 3:6 (ESV)  

    But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"  

Acts 9:27 (ESV)  

    But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.  

Acts 16:18 (ESV)  

    And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. 

It seems to me that in the name of Jesus is similar to a policeman saying "in the name of the law" and it means by the authority of Jesus. What do we have the right to ask God to do by the authority of Jesus? Are there any examples of the apostles asking God to do something by the authority of Jesus? 

Burn Baby Burn

The reverend should burn as many books as he can. Muslims burn our flag but if we burn their book there's all hell to pay. They started this war and then they hide behind their women and children who are supposed innocent. We should declare any country that permits terrorists to attack us a killing zone and remove all signs of life. We won't have to do that more than one time.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Re: Second request

I must have overlooked the first request.

 

For years I have suggested that, especially for church prayers but no reason not to for private prayers, we stop and think about what specifically we are asking God to do and then look at the Bible for support for such a request.

 

We pray for God to touch the heart of an unbeliever. We are asking God to operate outside the foolishness of preaching to cause someone to believe. That is not a biblical concept so that prayer is a waste of breath. If we want that person saved TEACH THEM ourselves. Anyone who says they cannot tell others about Jesus is a liar and just plain lazy. Similar to when a person sees another person entering a dangerous situation and turns their back because they do not want to get involved.

 

But to your question: I, personally, me do not expect God to do anything for me. For years I did but no longer. I have never experienced nor have I observed the answer to any prayer for any reason. I have listened to church members ask for safety and protection, blessings (whatever they are), health and healing, to give the preacher a ready recollection, my personal favorite, "we pray for. . ." and on and on. I have never heard anyone ever pray for strength and boldness to tell others about Jesus.  

 

While "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible I do not believe God is going to do anything for me I can do for myself. I believe God has already provided the way of escape from temptations so I do not expect anything special there either so there is no reason to pray about that.

 

This is an area each has to decide for themselves what they believe and why they believe it. Realizing the fact they believing something does not make it correct. As for me I have come to conclusions for myself. I felt a bit alone at first but I do not anymore. I think myself foolish before for thinking God would do something for me while he would sit or stand by and let a child be beaten to death, starve to death, die of a hideous disease.  I do not read anywhere in the bible of people praying for things we pray for today so I must accept they are not biblical.

 

I am sure I have not answered your question but Jesus never answered questions either. He just asked other questions so I guess that makes me Christ like.

 

Ps The moron who is having a Burn a Koran Day has admitted he is praying about it. Even a moron knows God does not burn Korans and does not want his people to do it either. God's kingdom is not of this world. So what is the moron praying about?

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 6:48 AM, Jake Book <jbook40@yahoo.com> wrote:

I sent you an email a few days ago asking you to explain what kind of prayers you believe are biblical since you feel that most prayers Christians pray today are unbiblical.  I have not gotten a response to that request.  Like I said in the email, I am not looking for another argument or debate.  I am genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say.  If I have been wrong all these years, I would like to investigate what is acceptable to God.  So when you have time, please let me know what it is that you believe are acceptable prayers.

Shallow

One reason I find our Bible classes and most sermons to be little more than filler is they are shallow. If you were to say God is not a "he" someone would surely tell you the Greek or Hebrew word is masculine so that means God is a "he." For one to believe in the word-for-word inspiration of the Bible they must first identify the version of the Bible so inspired. Language is our means of communication and is physical. As spirit we will have no need for language.

 

Everything we see today, everything we hear today is physical. As spirit we will neither need nor have any of them. An aborted baby and Methuselah (assuming the aborted baby is truly human and assuming the old guy makes it) will relate as if they were twins. 

 

When I hear the streets are gold I want to know where the streets go. When I hear about the pearly gates I want to know what is outside the gate. When I hear about streets of glass I want to know what you see when you look through the glass and do they reflect and what does the reflection of a spirit look like. When I hear about walls I want to know what is on the other side of the wall.

 

Once you begin considering such things the Bible opens up to you.

Have You Ever Considered. . .

Have you ever considered that once God chose the descendants of Isaac as his people he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Imagine the creator of everything over a barrel by his creation. In fact he changed what was acceptable concerning marriage and divorce against his own just to placate his creation and to keep them from total mutiny. He knew total mutiny meant no Messiah. There is a conundrum. The creator who is omniscient and all those other omnies having to cowtow to his creation. Since Messiah has come on the scene the Creator does not need to bend to anyone or anything.

God Active Today?

During WWII one of my uncles was drafted into the Marines. He had a wife and baby daughter. My aunt was in a wheel chair. She had MS I believe and had been in that chair a couple of years. Anyway when got his marching papers she made a pact with him. If he would come back alive she would walk to meet him at the railroad station.

 

He was on Iwo Jima for 10 days. He lost part of his skull and had a metal plate in his head the rest of his live. The day he came home she walked down the platform to meet him and was never in that wheel chair again. If God had anything to do with it he got cheated because no one gave him any credit for it. She was always an example of determination and strength.

 

About 5 years or so ago Shawn and Tasha had a friend, their age, was the mother of two children around 8 to 10 years of age and she had brain cancer. Shawn and Tasha brought her and her husband and children to Gatlinburg and treated them to Dollywood. A month or so later she died. The Sunday they were here I told the fellow who was making announcements about her and asked that she be included in the announcements of people who needed prayer. She was not even mentioned by name and never referred to again after that morning.

 

Since them I have come to the conclusion that God is not active today. His actions in the OT were to keep a remnant together long enough for Messiah to be born. His actions in the NT were to show the people Jesus and the apostles were from him, God. There is no purpose for his activity today.

 

People such as yourself pick a situation that went your way and accept that it went that way because of God's interference. I do not believe it but no matter. If God is active he is very selective. Getting involved to help a person find a parking spot but staying aloof as a little girl is beaten to death. Healing that lady you mentioned but letting Shawn and Tasha's friend die. I have found people who believe God is active are people with things generally going well. 

 

So no, I do not believe God is active today.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Looking Again at the Roles of Women

It appears a number of congregations are re-looking at the roles of women within the body of Christ and from what I hear a number of congregations are excommunicating those same congregations. It might be nice to study what constitutes biblical leadership, authority and submission. For instance, men are to be in submission to one another and to their spiritual leaders. To stand before their leaders, to word a prayer, to read announcements, to sing, even to hand their spiritual leaders a Communion tray is considered a violation of the principle of submission for females. A young christian boy can do all these things and never once be considered a spiritual leader in the congregation.

 

The Idea of Church is in Trouble.

Looking at the NT we see where people were immersed on Pentecost. Being immersed was their response to instructions Peter and the apostles gave to them based on their question concerning what should they do which was their reaction to being told they had killed Messiah. Luke tells us that God added to their number those being saved. We see where their number continued to increase.
 
I do not believe the Bible tells us that these people understood they had just bought in to teaching the world. Thus I do not believe they had any responsiblity beyond their sphere of existence. There is no indication of anyone going about telling the world about Jesus. When persecution began they left the city and when asked told the people why they were running for their lives.
 
It would be natural for people with like beliefs and like fears to congregate together to strengthen and encourage each other. There is nothing in the Bible they congregated to worship. That is man's idea to save their job.
 
Since that time because of King James we have to deal with his idea of those assemblies via the word church. If he had permitted that word to be changed to a meaningful word he would have lost his position as head of the church of England. Without the word church what would he have been the head of? Poof, he would have had to stick with his day job as king.
 
After James we had the preachers to contend with. To keep their day jobs they had to organize church. Today we go to church, we do church, unbelievers are the unchurched. Anyone can start a church. So the term has lost is relevance. Today, the saved are a group, one group that includes the saved of all time. We have tolerated the word church and now we have to live with it and with people's attitudes about the church as a meaningless entity. The saved will always gather to encourage each other. Those not gathered are by definition not saved. They are rejecting the group to which God added them upon their immersion. There is nothng more for them. They are lost. As others in the Bible they have gone out from us. They were never a part of us.