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VBS
2008
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“…he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Mark 16:7
Christians gone wild! I had the story a little wrong. I had pegged outdated
engineering and the extremes of Scottish coastal weather as the culprits. Snow
and gale did play a part in wearing down the Cathedral at St Andrews in
Scotland. And, the engineering was medieval. But, it was people who killed the
church! Somewhere between 300 and 750 Christians began gathering on the site.
Of course they built. By the time of the Reformation (about 1550) there were no
less than 3 churches on the bluffs overlooking the sea.
Seems John Knox was preaching full throttle one Sunday. The people were moved.
In fact, they were stirred up. They rushed cross town and began to destroy
anything that looked like it shouldn’t be there - in their opinion. 900 hundred
years of church history ended there.
Congregations have a history. In fact, some who study congregations say that
faith communities have a “life cycle”. It begins with a dream of what is
possible. There is a commonly held vision, shared beliefs, and agreement on how
to operate. All these factors combine to bring a time of “ministry”. This is a
happy marriage of people, place and time. But, nothing stays the same. People
change, congregations change, and context changes too.
A study of Acts of the Apostles tells us such was the case from the very
beginning of the Christian experience. Acts chronicles the interplay of
congregation and change. Life together in Galilee is rough and tumble. Paul and
James are at odds. The Jews and the Hellenists see things differently. Jerusalem
is suspicious of the churches in Asia Minor. And yet, the vision of the faithful
at their best speaks to us and draws us. The new born church is described fresh
from Pentecost.
Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many
wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were
together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and
goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they
spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their
food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all
the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being
saved.”
What kind of congregation would we choose to be? How do we resemble the
description above? How will we build up our congregation for Christ?
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