Paradigm Shift in Church
The “Church” being restored as a “Spiritual Family”
We believe a significant paradigm shift is occurring in the church today. The basis of this shift is not theologically new, but new in practice as it relates to God being a Father, and the Church being His Family. If God wanted anything less than a “family” He would have called Himself something other than a “Father.” The reason the Father is incredibly committed to see His sons and daughters relate to each other righteously is because that brings Him glory. (See Jn17:20-23) All of the “one another” passages found in scripture point to a relational culture within the church to be a literal “spiritual family.” (See Dr. Tim Johns doctoral dissertation on the “Restoration of the Spiritual Family as an Emerging Apostolic Paradigm.) This is why Kingdom Families (house churches) are a vital part for growth and maturity for every believer to walk out their gifts and callings. Having true fellowship that is in the light with “one another” is key to becoming mature and whole in Christ. All of us have blind spots and pockets of unbelief that go undetected outside of close friendship and accountability. Here are some attributes of a healthy relational church culture :
Unity, Mercy,Understanding, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Humility, Communication, Conflict resolution, Honoring others, Kindness, Submission to Christ in one another, Accountability, Transparency, Speaking the truth in love, Acceptance, Affection, Fun (Click here for more info on House Churches)
The Return of Spiritual Fathers and Mothers
There is a spiritual orphan in all of us looking for a father and longing for a family. (Josh’s article) Fathers and mothers validate our acceptance, and mediate God’s grace to us through love, truth, boundaries, discipline and coaching. Much dysfuntion in natural and spiritual families can be traced to a lack of healthy parenting. The apostle Paul spoke in Fathering language to his churches. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” -1 Thess. 2:8 Paul raised up many spiritual sons by sharing the gospel and his very own life. This is critical especially as the younger generations emerge. Today, many people hand out spiritual brochures to places they have never been before. This has reduced the gospel to rhetoric and words without substance. People need a model, and a lifestyle that they can see and follow after. We see our House Church leaders as Spiritual parents who can direct, encourage, and facilitate a healthy environment for spiritual growth. Click here for more info on House Churches.
The “Priesthood of all Believers”
In scripture, the church is not a “building” or a “program,” but a “Body of believers”. In many American churches, 5% of the people do %95 of the work. This has created a culture of the “have” and “have not’s.” It has enabled indifferent passivity among members, and busy burnout among pastoral staff. This is not God’s way of doing things. Ephesians 4:11-13 states, ” It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” This means that everybody in the body of Christ is not only called, but extremely valuable! Every believer is to be equipped and mobilized for Kingdom impact. Leadership in the Kingdom of God is an inverted tri-angle. The leaders serve and equip others to do the work of ministry. This discredits living vicariously through other anointed people. All of us are commissioned to “Go and Make Disciples!”
Becoming Kingdom Ambassadors
The bible teaches that the Kingdom of God is within us. Therefore, wherever we go, so does the Kingdom if our lives are submitted to the King(Jesus). Whatever we do and wherever we go, we are to bring the culture of heaven to earth. Church meetings, as valuable as they are, should not be the center of the Christian experience. We are to carry the culture of the King through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit wherever we go. We can bring the Kingdom (Rms.14:17) to our family, workplace, friends, and whatever sphere of influence that has been given to us by imparting grace, wisdom, power, love, and truth. We are to be mobile image bearers of God.