The Last Word

The last word is my chance to share some random thoughts on my mind. These are commentary type insights on the church and the policies surronding it.

I find it strange that many christian organizations debate and vote on such subjects as womens ordination, welfare, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, taxes, and who should be president. Jesus told us to proclaim the kingdom of God to all who would hear. This was a simple message of love, forgiveness, sharing, and righteousness. We are to live among all people as peacefully and quietly as we can while we tell those we befriend the forgiveness Christ offers. This is the witness that draws people, the one that will bring them to Christ. As dual citizens (of earth and heaven), we have a choice to participate in the political arena or not, but as citizens of Heaven, we cannot swear our lives or allegiances to any man made organization. All the debate on church rules or sins of government (women's ordination, welfare, taxes, dress, divorce and remarriage, and who should be president) misses the real point. The bible told us to boldly stand against biblical sins and refuse to compromise our stand, but we also need to stop attempting to make our rules equal to God's. Because we are against things doesn't mean it is scripturally wrong or a sin. Stick to the Book!

While we go on about political issues, the real sins like racism, hate, greed, lust, covetousness, compassion for the homeless, the hungry, the widows and orphans exists undercover. These are the issues that God will judge us on, and not whether our "hands are washed when we eat".

Racism is one of the ugliest blights in christianity today. We speak of equality in Christ but do not practice it. Our groups (congregations) are almost totally segregated and we say little if anything of substance about how to erase it. To have true integration, you must start at the top. You cannot preach integration, while you segregate the leadership. It starts with leadership. House church, this applies to you also!

Have you noticed how people who "religiously" go to church every Sunday cannot bring themselves to become involved in a house church or small group? I believe this is caused by:

1) Tradition This is hard to break. People think a church has to be in a building. Storefront buildings have torn down the concept that the building had to have stained glass and a steeple, but all still have to have a building.

2) Fear This is a fear of a new way of doing things. Remember, the Protestant church was birthed out of a reformation that was rejected by many at that time out of fear. Back then, Catholicism was the only way. Fear keeps many from "stepping out of the boat".

3) Isolation This is when a person wants to be left alone, to fade into a crowd and not to be called on or held accountable. A large church is just the place to "get lost in" and a small group is to be avoided. Fellowship, intimate group settings, and accountability are how the early operated, but are foreign to this mass marketed, CEO led monstrosity of a church. Come, give, support, do as I say and go are their mottos.

The house church movement will be (IMO) the reformation of the 21st century. The institutional church has failed in many areas. There is a church building on every corner in America, and 70-80% of Americans believe they are christians and those church buildings are full, BUT we seem to have one of the most immoral, self centered, hedonistic and humanistic countries in the western world. The church organizations have reproduced christians after their own kind, i.e weak, vacillating, and driven by the views of society.

People say that all that is needed for a "church revival" is new, contemporary ideas like "dress down Sunday" or secular sounding gospel music. Others say that the Holy Spirit needs to make us laugh, shake or prophesy. All of us want to make changes but we all seem to miss the point. Putting a fresh coat of paint on rotting wood gives the appearance of soundness while hiding decay! Jesus spoke of "whited sepulchers" full of dead mens bones. Could the Holy Spirit have moved on to China, Africa or India and left us as is the case in Europe?

Questions Church Leaders Won’t Answer

Why do you teach people to give when they have a financial need, but you beg when the church has the same kind of need? Why don’t you take church money and give it away so God can meet your need?


Why do you draw a salary for being a pastor and then receive an honorarium for speaking at other churches and revivals while your evangelists sit and never preach?


Why do you sell books and tapes that you claim are “messages from God” the body of Christ “needs to hear”? What happened to the words of Jesus “freely you have received, now freely give”? If you are preaching God’s words, are they yours to sell?


Why do you copy write sermon notes? Wasn’t the Holy Spirit the true author of those words? Isn’t that plagiarism?


Why is it people can give to the church for years but when they have a financial need they have to jump through hoops to get assistance?


Why do you claim that the mansion you live in or the luxury car you drive “isn’t yours, but they belong to the church” when you are the church? You have in the by-laws that you cannot be fired or replaced. As long as you are there, they are yours. Why do you feel it is your “right” to become rich off the Gospel that millions have sacrificed & died for?

Why are you afraid to teach your people about the wages of sin or about living a holy life? Why do you only give them a “smooth” message on blessings and well being?

Let me know what you think