Where Two or Three are Gathered...

It was a rare occasion to not have this passage quoted when I was in a prayer meeting.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20

A different passage is quoted almost as much to prove the need for regular church attendance.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25

When a Christian asks me, “where do you go to church?” and I answer I’m at church right now, they look at me with a puzzled expression on their face. Why is that?

Somehow the definition of church has been morphed into meaning the place where I go on Sundays to hear a sermon with many others.

Whereas, according to Matthew 18:19-20 anytime I am with another Christian, Jesus will be in our midst. And according to Hebrews 10:24,25 the purpose of gathering together is

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

Jesus never commanded us to go to church on Sunday to hear a sermon. He does desire for us to get together with as little as one other person to see Him in our midst. The purpose of these gatherings is to simply love one another and to spur each other on to good deeds.

The only legitimate number that the New Testament reveals as an official gathering is two or three. Would we limit it to these numbers? Of course not. But we must guard against the lie that bigger is better. What can be better than Jesus in our midst?

When should we want this to happen? As often as possible.

Do we need multi-million dollar facilities to experience these vital gatherings? Of course not. Even though some leaders think that that they, their building and their large gatherings are essential. Some even give the impression that God thinks their building is of utmost importance. How else would one raise funds with religiously minded folks?

Doesn't it ever seem odd to you that God delights in diverting funds from starving children around the world so that we can build our edifices and make a name for ourselves?

Don’t be deceived by large numbers bringing more glory to God and definitely don’t be deceived by a leader that wants to call you together in his own name or in the name of his church. That may be important for their own ego but it is too small an understanding of the church that Jesus is building. It is also demeaning to the value of every member of the body of Christ when we exalt a few above the many.

Let us remind each other that there is only one church and Jesus said He would build it. His church is way bigger than anything we or any leader can personally envision.

Our only desire should be to experience Jesus in our midst. How many people does it take? Where two or three are gathered…

Drew Marshall

Hierarchy and the Trinity

I’ve been intrigued of late with some of the controversy surrounding the book, The Shack. With over 4 million copies in print in just over a year it’s safe to say that this book is not ordinary. One of the arguments that has been used to prove how heretical the book is, is that it doesn’t portray the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in a way that shows a hierarchical form of ruling. The pastors who are condemning the book on these grounds believe in their role as defenders of the faith and rulers of their flock. In a benevolent kind of way of course.

What’s interesting is what Jesus thought about hierarchical leadership. He gave a clear teaching on what he wanted His church to be ordered upon.

"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:41-44

It’s strange that He would speak this way when according to those attacking the Shack, the trinity is the clearest examples of hierarchy.

The basis seems to be the idea of the language that the Bible has given us to describe God, especially the terminology, Father and Son.

For some, the Father rules over the Son. But here’s the challenge with this picture. Even though the relationship is defined as Father/Son it doesn’t mean quite the same as our idea of a father being first and the son second.

In terms of understanding the eternal God, there was never a time that there was Father without the Son and there was no Son without the Father. They are both God and have need of nothing or anyone to teach them.

Even in our natural thinking the idea of father and son as a hierarchy doesn’t really hold true. My dad is now 80 years old. Our relationship is not defined by who is in charge. Nor is my relationship with my sons defined by who has ultimate say or power over the other. We are equals. Sometimes, I’d like my sons or my father to do something. If they choose to it’s because of our relationship. If they choose not to, our relationship is not diminished because of that refusal. The same holds true when something is asked of me.

One of the great tragedies that we see in organized religion is the use of those in leadership roles thinking they have power over their flock. The very thing Jesus said for us to never do. In fact He said just the opposite.

Using the trinity as an excuse to show the need for hierarchy is a major cause of much of the dysfunction that is seen within the body of Christ.

No doubt exploring our understanding of God and the trinity is a big subject, filled with wonder and mystery. The one thing I’m pretty sure of though is this, God is not in any way, shape or form wanting to Lord it over us, nor does this idea of Lording over or even a hierarchy exist within the relationship of the trinity.

The Father’s passion is to please His Son. Jesus’ passion is to please His Father. Their passion is to serve us. And that's an incredible idea to consider.

Tithing Paradox

Teaching tithing is a tricky game to play. First, you must understand all of the tithes of the Old Testament (total = 23.3%). Secondly, all tithing was to be done through food. Changing this to money equivalents misses the principle of "the scriptures must mean what they always meant." You end up teaching a rule that even you have altered. When you change something that directly benefits yourself, you do put your integrity on the line. I know you can blame God and say it's His rule but don't forget that you have had a part in reformulating what God has said.

But the greatest challenge you have with teaching tithing is that it begs this question. What do you think of the people that don't tithe? In Malachi 3, God called them robbers. Approximately 83% of people in churches that teach tithing, don't tithe. Therefore, you end up pastoring a group of people that are mostly thieves.

The paradox is that non-tithers are happy having you think of them as thieves.