Posted by Dena on November 19, 2005, at 13:01:27
In reply to Re: Seminary schools, posted by Gee on November 18, 2005, at 22:17:03
Thanks for the link -- I read that book a couple of years ago, when my former church was "going catholic".
I've left the Institutional/traditional church (IC)... as a follower of Christ, I AM (along with the rest who follow Him) The Church.
While I believe that the IC is founded on many errors, I don't despise it, nor the people who go there.
I'm no longer about "going" to church... (I no longer understand church to be a building, or an institution, or a system).
I'm "being" the Church -- the organic Body of Christ... with only Him as Head, only Him as High Priest, no go-betweeners... no distinction of clergy/laity.
No... I'm not being called into the Catholic church, nor any Protestant church, nor the Orthodox church, or any other sort of church.
God is calling me (& my family... and many others) into understanding what being His Church is all about -- a more simple thing -- meeting in homes, living relationally, loving God and loving neighbor, letting the Holy Spirit lead, operating as a fully-participatory Body (no passive laity watching an active clergy)... going deeper into Him, deeper with one another, fellowshipping in truth and transparency, as HE leads, with no agenda other than following His lead.
So... are we still "on the same page"?
I can't presume to know how He's calling you -- I can only listen to His voice, and follow how He's leading me.
As far as HOW I follow? HOW I know it's Him...? I test it against Scripture, I pray, and I seek Him with all my heart. He promises that those who seek after Him with all their heart WILL find Him. He made me - He knows how to get my attention -- in a myriad of creative ways!
It's about relationship -- first with Him, and then with others.
Not religion. Not ritual. Not structure.. just relationship.
That's where I am -- I'm excited, trepidatious, and eager to follow!
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:576895
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20051105/msgs/580398.html