Architectural Designs

Is it time to start doing "church" differently.?

First off, it would be a mistake to call the building where the Church (God's elect) gather, anything other that The House of God... the House of Prayer... or something to that effect. We don't go to church... we are the church. But, isn't "church" as it is known today... needing a serious overhaul? Why do we meet at the exact same time... greet your neighbor... sit down... sing a song... stand up... sing more songs... hear a sermon... maybe hear another song, followed into an alter call... now time for announcements... etc. It's the same, every week. Isn't there a more "free-flowing" design that would allow for a more "open heart", allowing God's Spirit to move? I feel like our "program" and how we are doing church, is really limiting God. I have my ideas on how some things could really change for the better... but it's just a vision right now. What do you think is wrong w/ the way we "do church" today? It seems so limiting to God... and just lacking the Spirit most of the time. Like, a box with holes in it... that lets the Spirit come in through the holes we've made... and, He does come in. But, I think the box should be wide open. Anyways, thoughts? Nobody is saying to go outside of the confines of God's Word... Actually, the first church was *quite* free flowing. They met house to house, and I don't recall that it was done on one appointed Sunday, the exact same, every week. So, you have a point, but you're wrong.

Public Comments

1. I think that, without evidence to back up your claims about the supernatural, you're just whistling past the graveyard.
2. We all need to be accountable and we all need to be one God sees what's going on
3. Are your questions practice sermons?
4. I totally agree with you. I think many churches are now following a shared format. Many are buying into the whole Rick Warren's purpose driven church. They are not allowing the Holy Spirit to take over and lead the church. People still want to be in control and are determined to do it their way. I'm in the process of trying to find a good church right now that is building up the people of God.
5. Matthew 7:13-15 (King James Version) 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You must also look at how 'church' was held in the Bible. There was no "free-flowing" design. It was simply the word of God. And people praising Him and being saved.
6. that's nice you're one of those "I have a relationship with Jesus types" aren't you?
7. I agree. I have been to a church were there was no clock, and people took off their watches when they went in. They would have prayer, then break into groups, depending on what level of understanding you had, some were really deep, while others barely understood the surface text. A adult or child could go to any group and ask anything about The BIBLE. After a few hours, may be 1, may be 5, they would start to reform into the main group., then they would have proclamations, and people could tell about what GOD(YHVH) had done for them that week. This would usually last for several hours. It was rare for them to close before 4:00. There was a kitchen in the church were people could go get snacks anytime they wanted, so no-one went hunger. When the preacher started this, the church had been built to hold about 500, but had less then 50 people that was there every time. Now, there are not enough seats for everyone. There have been reports of people going there, who have been fighting, and about to get a divorce, but after going there and being in that fellowship, they find easy ways to solve the problems and stay together.
8. From what I have researched, the early Church (despite it's problems in some places) was much more loving and treated each other for who they really were: the family of God. They were more relational, more connected, and still stood up for what they believed in. No one in the early Church ever called the Church a "building". They knew that the Church is what they were. The Bible testifies to this as well: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." If the Church today became more like the early Church (minus the problems), how wonderful that would be. It always bothers me whenever I hear someone say, "I'm going to Church, I went to the Church", and so on. I wish that person knew that the way of calling the Church is unbiblical and rather, a man-made teaching. Plus, if the Church today, instead of spending huge amounts of money on the building and it's upkeep and rather spent the money on what the Church really is: the people, meaning helping those in the Church who are in need, and then those outside the Church who are in need, how much better off people would be. It does not take tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and especially millions of dollars if the money goes to where it really belongs: the people who make up the Church. As it says in Acts 2:42-47: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." If the Church today was like what was described in Acts 2:42-47, how much better the Church would be. That is why I look forward to Jesus' second coming, because then the Church will be restored to what it was really meant to be when He carries His followers to the new Heaven and new Earth.