WEll Keith my friend and brother, I agree with you and that also reminds me
of in the bible it was called a congregation not church if I'm correct?

Thanks for that


Lelia Struve email [log in to unmask] msn [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Hodges" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: Right Church


> Lelia just said that the way she sees it is that there are two options,
> one
> find a great church to "attend" or.... !!!!!! hang on whoooooa.... pause
> there, make a coffee, relax... You see the way we use the word really
> biases
> the way we think about it, so it helps to remember that church is not
> something you attend it is something you are.
>
> The trickey bit is finding others who "are" too, and the biggest problem I
> think is that too many beleivers are too busy going to a building and
> attending meetings to "be" all that God wants them to be.
>
> I have come to the conclusion after 12 years involved with denominational
> Christian groups of all flavours in England, USA and Africa that true
> church
> is supposed to be lived out in your local community where you live. My
> household, my family, my neighbours and my friends is my church and I dont
> think that we should expect any more or less than that.
>
> Now I look around me for people doing church and I get a great surprise.
> The
> best demonstration of true church that I see around me is more often than
> not the lifestyles of.... non-christians. The best example I have had or
> Christian generosity reflecting the true nature of Christ towards me has
> been my own Father who is a staunch aetheist, I found that very telling
> indeed.
>
> I have been a full time Christian worker for 4 years and I have found it
> impossible to get any real support from any Christian groups so the Lord
> has
> led me to get a job washing up in a local restaurant which is about 15
> yards
> from my front door. There I have found the most friendly group of people
> that I have met since university days. These guys work together, they
> socialise together, many of the chefs and staff share accomodation. Many
> of
> them go on holiday together and over all the group of about 40 people is
> fun
> friendly, inclusive and not cliquey. I have really been accepted and also
> ministered to by these guys. It is one of the best churches I have ever
> attended.... whoops I did it again, I misused the word church.
>
> So at the moment they do not worship Jesus, they worship other things,
> nothing in particular it seems but drinking copious amounts of alcohol is
> regular evening event. If this same group became beleivers and went to
> attend the meetings of a christian denomination every week, it would
> definitely ruin the whole thing. Now since the christian denominations
> have
> rarely any provision for those who work on sundays really they are not
> missing anything at all.
>
> I beleive that all that needs to change in this context is the direction
> of
> attention and worship. from self to Jesus, nothing more really.
>
> Lelia said that "It is truly difficult to find a Right church"
>
> well actually I think it is impossible to find a right "church" , because
> I
> think you would be looking for Gods church in the wrong place. I have
> discovered that Gods church and the support that I have needed has been in
> my community and therefore it is right!
>
> The community where God has placed me is my "right church", and I see
> e-church as part of Gods "right church".
>
> bless you all
>
> Keith