It’s fascinating seeing what’s the right way to carry across whatever is needed for a particular occasion.
To rescue a family and a zoo it took a large ark. To maintain a presence with a people on the move it required a tent. To establish the presence among a settled people in a promised land it was a temple. To set up a mission that would impact society it was a group of believers in community with each other, with their God and with the desire to spread the news to the wider community.
Even there when it comes to how those communities are expressed and experienced the styles range greatly. What might be considered ‘traditional’ or ‘institutional’ today, does not account for how community presents itself in different settings and at different times.
As brilliant and elaborate as He shows in creation, God continues to display the same ingenuity through His people in how they will carry across His mission to this world for His honour. There are similar rhythms that go through these communities – the love impulse, the importance of the Word and Spirit, and the desire to grow just as much in knowing Jesus as they do in growing in number. Though those and other rhythms can be seen in the variety of models – they are not otherwise restricted. Indeed the great delight is to see how people’s sensitivity to how God will do His will in their scene leaves them flexible t fellowship and reach out in diverse ways.
It is the privilege of the community for the day to explore and discover what construct will be fitting for their occasion.
(Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 