We are blessed to be numbered among those that have been drawn by the Spirit, or through life and circumstances and in one way or another, to seek fellowship with other believers in a more non-traditional expression of the church. It is non hierarchical, open and participatory, relationship focused, and seeks to make Jesus central and preeminent in our gatherings rather than making men or a man central.
A few days ago when looking for a song by once prominent Christian music artist Wayne Watson, I ran across this he posted on Facebook :We were in church yesterday. Why is church hard sometimes? Why?
There were many, mostly compassionate responses in the comments of the post. Having seen Mr. Watson in ministry many times, and met him at Christian radio events I was part of a few times (but we were nowhere near close friends). And, knowing he is about the same age as I, has sons the age of my daughters, and, with his CCM career paralleling mine in CCM radio for years. And, his leading worship in church bodies which I have done coupled with my leading church bodies as an elder/teacher in expressions in several locales, and in fellowships. And, finally, our both having some ties to Houston where he lived and ministered for sometime as a worship leader until retiring. I have always sensed a kind of loose kindred experience with him, if from afar. With that said, as I read his posted question I sensed, I think in the Spirit, I needed to respond with a bit more depth than some from my experience with a different path I took back in 2008 into what we now call “church”; as I moved away from a traditional expression of the Body of Christ to meeting/gathering in our home since that time.
Here is my ” Facebook comments”response to his post:
Because the western culture platform to spectator form we call “church” isn’t the “church” -ekklesia- of the New Testament Gospels and epistles. It is focused on duty-filling religion and the transfer of knowledge rather than relationships of love and service and saints/believers/Christians manifesting the fullness of Jesus in open and participatory gatherings for the purpose of edification… and worship in Spirit and truth. We are to be the church, not go to church or be in church. We, the church, are to be under his Headship functioning as “His body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.” (see Ephesians 1:22-23) Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Until the form serves God’s intended function… church will be “hard”, … cold … dead. But, once you’ve experienced true fellowship in that open and participatory form focused on releasing and edifying all, and true worship of Him through relationships functioning as His body, and free from hierarchy, you will never be satisfied with platform to spectator focus on entertainment and the relay/transfer of just information about Him. You can “go to church” … or you can function in fellowship with He and the Father in relationship with each other as His body in love and service 1John1:3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
As I contemplated and proofread this response I was drawn to consider my summation.
Until the form serves God’s intended function… church will be “hard”, … cold … dead. But, once you’ve experienced true fellowship in that open and participatory form focused on releasing and edifying all, and true worship of Him through relationships functioning as His body, and free from hierarchy, you will never be satisfied with platform to spectator focus on entertainment and the relay/transfer of just information about Him. You can “go to church” … or you can function in fellowship with He and the Father in relationship with each other as His body in love and service
If you have been around me over the last 18 years of meeting in what has been termed “house church”, “simple church”, “organic church”, “open and participatory gathering” etc. etc. You have heard me say there is no “magic” in meeting in homes (or a building for that matter), it just seems to fit a more biblical template. I have visited and read much about “house church” gatherings where they have simply moved the “traditional western culture hierarchy and form to the living room of some home. Nothing much changes but for being a bit smaller and perhaps really knowing names relationally. You see: The “magic” is not in the form. It is in the function of the body under the direction/Headship of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that is in, ie…Whom has been given…, to each individual member. …
But, once you’ve experienced true fellowship in that open and participatory form focused on releasing (all) and edifying all, and true worship of Him through relationships functioning as His body, you will never be satisfied with platform to spectator focus…
Each week in this space I dutifully send out a notice of gathering repeating: We focus on being sensitive to the Holy Spirit moving through each one to encourage and build each other up, the edification of all, and Pray now about how the Holy Spirit may inspire, move in, and through you. And I quote 1 Corinthians 14:26 as our guideline for gathering What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26.
So, the question is: What is our corporate/gathering/body of Christ experience truly? Is it 1st Corinthians 14:26 in an open and participatory gathering where When you assemble, each one has is focused on as well as Let all things be done for edification? Or, like Wayne Watson are we left asking “Why is church so hard sometimes? Why?”
If meeting with Jesus is central to our gathering with each other, if He/Jesus is to be manifested and experienced and given preeminence, and if being released in Him by the Holy Spirit to edify those we gather with and love, then being the church should not be hard… or cold… or dead… Or just moving through the form of another meeting out of duty leaving us with such questions. Shouldn’t it rather be moving actively in service by the Spirit to do His/Jesus will, work, and purpose, in and through us, to His glory, and the building up/edification, encouragement, and love of one another. That, if so, should leave us with the warmth of having just encountered a “road to Emmaus” meeting with Him. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us…” (Luke 24:32)
Paul gives much attention in his writing to what we might call the Body principle. Particularly in his letter to the church at Rome (chapter 12) and Corinth (1st Corinthians chapter 12,13,14) . Consider a few here.
[Romans 12:4-13 NASB95] 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, [each of us is to exercise them accordingly:] if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 [Be] devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Not much exposition needed here, but to say we function as His body and members of it by the grace he gives. Do let me say way too much is made out of the phrase “according to the proportion of his faith” This is not referencing size or largeness or greatness of faith. This (faith) is not something you have welled and worked up. It is simply referencing your confidence that He/The Holy Spirit has spoken to you regarding that which He desires for you to do or say to edify/build up/ encourage, serve and love others. So, don’t hold back in fear of others, or intimidation of the enemy for he loves to scare us into quenching the Spirit. As Paul told Timothy “stir up/kindle afresh the gift that is in you ….God has not given us a spirit of timidity (cowardice), but of power and love and discipline (sound judgment). Respond erring on the side of actively being used of the Lord/the Spirit (and letting Him or elders correct you if you do err. You will learn to hear His voice and respond in obedience better as He deals with such errors), rather than erring on the side of doing nothing and quenching the Spirit and any resulting edification. As long as your motivation is edification based in love serving the Lord, not lifting up or drawing attention to yourself or the gift of grace manifested, you will rarely go wrong.
[1Corinthians 12:1, 3-14, 27 NASB95] 1 Now concerning spiritual [gifts,] brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. … 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all [persons.] 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another [various] kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and [yet] has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. … 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
Without detailed comment, let us note that again the apostle makes it clear he is not opposed to the manifestation of “spirituals”. In fact he did not want the church at Corinth to be unaware of them. And, after setting up the foundation that those who speak by the Holy Spirit will be lifting up the fact that Jesus is Lord, he goes into the various or variety of gifts the One or Same Spirit may exhibit. And, although there are varieties of gifts, there is one Spirit. He wants it clearly understood in verse 7 that each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good! YOU….. YES, EVEN YOU!!! … have been given the indwelling or manifestation of the Holy Spirit, who by the way is very God indwelling you, for a purpose – THE COMMON GOOD: The edification and building up, serving and loving of all others. The Spirit works all these varieties of gifts, not because you are anything special or need attention drawn to yourself .. or the gift for that matter.. but He distributes to EACH ONE, including you, individually as HE WILLS. I think you can read that as: according to what the need of the moment and the situation, and those we are gathered with, may be or call for. Why? Because we are the body and all members of it, and each member has purpose in relationship to the other. He is God and we are not. It is His body, not ours. We have each one been baptized by the One Spirit into Jesus Body. We have drank of the one Spirit and we are in Him/Jesus. It is not just yourself with or In Jesus as one “personally saved” for just yourself and your pleasure. But you/we are one of many members saved and sanctified/set apart for His purpose. Once you grasp this, gathering becomes a great deal more than just “meeting” with others to go through religious duty motions, worship, and hearing the transfer of information about Him. Each of those may be good things, but that ain’t what the ekklesia is called to. It truly becomes meeting with and manifesting Him, and co-laboring in His purpose; to edify, love and serve others, as the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
In 1st Corinthians 13 Paul lets us know that all this function must be rooted in love. If not, it is worthless. In my mind that is why the average western culture church is seen as , and becomes to most, cold, hard, religion, and the sterile transfer of information. The only time it comes close to touching people with love is sometimes in the emotional expression of worship in song to the Lord, or sometimes in a gospel presentation clearly proclaiming/outlining the fullness of God’s love expressed in Jesus death and resurrection. But the love Paul outlines is best manifested in a body functioning to manifest Him/Jesus in fullness and edify, serve, and practically love others as empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit.
No passage of scripture has probably divided so many as 1st Corinthians 14. I will hopefully not try to add to that division here but will take a look at a few things here.
[1Corinthisan 14:1-4 NASB95] 1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts,] but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in [his] spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
Again, Paul makes clear he is not opposed to spiritual gifts. In fact, after the exhortation to Love, he says to desire to be gifted of the Spirit. But especially that you may prophesy. And, if we note the context of his exhortation, his emphasis on prophecy here is not to lift up the gift, nor the prophet, but the place of edification in our gathering. Our coming together is to be focused, centered upon, the purpose of edification.
He clearly outlines here (vs 3) that prophecy will have a triune effect: It will edify, build up, strengthen, solidify, make strong. It will exhort; inspire to change, action, correction, purpose, mission. It will console: comfort, bring solace, bring peace and security.
From these four verses he will hang the rest of the argument for prophecy in public over speaking in tongues in public, at least without interpretation, that makes up the context of the rest of this chapter. He in no way is lifting up prophecy above tongues, or denying or suggesting the abolition of tongues as a gift of the Spirit. His argument regards what brings public or congregational edification and what does not. Or, said another way; what brings personal edification through speaking mysteries to God by the Spirit…. that is tongues… And what brings the church assembly edification, exhortation, and consolation through speaking divine revelation by the Spirit from God to a group/body/gathering of people through their understanding…. that is prophecy…
The modern church has made the whole issue of this passage Tongues or Prophecy. And, for the most part, doing away with and quenching both in our gatherings. That is not Paul’s point! His point is edification of the body/the church through the body/the church! Which, you may remember, he started with when speaking of gifts for the common good in chapter 12. Our modern cultural assimilation has been to quench prophecy (speaking from divine revelation for edification, exhortation, consolation and more) leaving that to “professional” paid prophets/clergy from platform rather than coming from the body of saints to the saints. To say nothing of quenching even the personal ministry of tongues or the ministry gift of the Prophet in gatherings or simply relegating them to a bygone era.
I will also say here that I am convinced we have made a bit too much of the term “desire that you may prophesy” here. It brings to our minds the Hollywood movies depiction of a long bearded old man prophet, or a modern wide eyed lunatic looking dude, proclaiming “THUS SAITH THE LORD!!!…. And proclaiming judgment or calamity. Or we see in our minds eye, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel or Ezekiel … or Moses in some form… doing the same “THUS SAITH THE LORD!” We think great piety or anointing is required. We rarely ever draw to mind that God may speak through the likes of you and me edification, exhortation, and consolation of something He has divinely inspired or revealed to us for the purpose of edifying others just like us. And, I would say most can hardly imagine this word of divine inspiration may come to us in the spontaneity of the moment, or it may be something He has been revealing to us over some time and desires for us to share now in the gathering of saints.
In its base definition and purpose, to prophesy (to be a prophet) in the sense of 1st Corinthians 14, I believe, is to simply speak forth by divine inspiration, and at the direction of Jesus as Head by the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and/or consolation of others. This is generally very natural and a part of our open conversation and participation. It is generally not lofty and generally is not preceded by “Thus saith the Lord”. It is sharing what He has given you to share for the common good and edification.
Paul does not say you have to be a “Prophet”, as in the Ephesians 4 ministry gift sense, to prophesy in this context. He simply says desire “especially that you may prophesy”. And, he does so that edification of the church may prevail.
Now, before you feed me to the dogs over this: Yes, I also believe, there are “”Prophets” in the Ephesians 4 sense of ministry gifts to the church, just as there are apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers given to the church today. And, yes, prophecy can sometimes foretell future events pertaining to the Kingdom of God and His purpose. Yes, there are times where someone ministering as a Prophet (Ephesians 4 gift to the church, what some would call in the “office” of a Prophet) can speak judgement or calamity, …or strong exhortation and direction known only by divine revelation, or may, by the same sort of revelation, simply praise and lift up God and teach others or refute those opposing Him, as they act as one with that Ephesians 4 ministry gift.
But in general, I think that releasing that base definition and purpose in prophesying where all are encouraged to desire that you may prophesy is the apostle’s point here. He was also, of course, interested in bringing some order to their gathering and wanted to curb their practice of everyone just speaking out loud in tongues (because they, or most, could) without interpretation. And he was interested in curbing their talking over one another with known languages of understanding or in tongues. His purpose and point again is the purpose of everything being done for edification. Hence verse 5, which in no way denies the purpose or power of speaking in tongues, nor says to stop speaking in tongues, but endorses it. He simply explains that. in terms of edification in their gatherings, prophecy is more to be desired and has greater impact and importance; because a the whole church may be edified by it.
[1Corinthisan 14:5 NASB95] 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but [even] more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
He then goes into a long section outlining the power of tongues and interpretation, and discusses the ministry of praying in the spirit (without understanding) and singing in the spirit (without understanding) and praying and singing with His mind (with understanding). But he reiterates, if you will, his point here that in our gatherings, edification… and order… is the priority. And that being the case, he would rather speak in gatherings with understanding. He makes it very clear that he appreciates and does both (what is done in the spirit without understanding and that done with the mind and with understanding) . But for the purpose of edification in gatherings, the understanding of all must be served (therefore a message in tongues must be interpreted).
[1Corinthisans 14:12-19 NASB95] 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts,] seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is [the outcome] then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit [only,] how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Then follows a series of instructions on order in gatherings which I will not go into (too detailed for this current forum) other than to say he was dealing with people speaking over each other, and all at once and the confusion that comes from exercising your gift(s) out of order, in some sort of compulsion and without sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. The short stroke of this is that your spirit, even in spirituals/gifts is, is under your control. The Spirit does not drive us, compelling us to disorder and chaos. He draws us… He draws what He desires out of us to edify others and for the common good with order at the proper time.
[1Corinthians 14:29-33, 39-40 NASB95] 59 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not [a God] of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. … 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
“So, Randy,” you say, “What is your point.”?
My point is: that if we are to meet with Jesus in each other and function as the body under the direction/Headship of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that is in, ie…Whom has been given…, to each individual member. … and experience true fellowship in that open and participatory form focused on releasing (all) and edifying all, and true worship of Him through relationships and functioning as His body, and leave gatherings with a sense of an Emmaus Road experience of meeting with Him, as opposed to Wayne Watson questions, our hearts must be challenged with our responsibility to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for the common good. .
Let us understand we are His body and we are stewards of the manifold grace of God as though God is speaking and moving through us. Let us be given to participation under His release and direction and enabling of the Spirit rather than just spectating and sitting in fear, timidity, silence or believing/thinking God couldn’t possibly move through the likes of me. Let us not just be like kids who take their glove to the ball park hoping a foul ball comes our way. Let us be prepared, ready and open, for the coach/Holy Spirit to put us in and participate.
[1Peter 4:10-11 NASB95] 10 As each one has received a [special] gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, [is to do so] as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves [is to do so] as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[1Corinthians NASB 14:26 What is [the outcome] then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.