It's normally not my style. Yesterday I read a bulletin on MySpace about Brother Wood being elected as the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. The last phrase said, "pray for our fellowship." It suddenly just struck me funny, "OUR" fellowship. Without meaning any malice, I responded to the poster, "Is that 'our' fellowship or 'God's' fellowship?" I got a response back something to the affect of me being as technical as I want, but it was a reference to "our" fellowship with God.
I confess, I'm really struggling with the "our" fellowship mentality. I hear people talking about "my" church all the time. I know what they mean. I guess I'm just concerned that people really do think that their church is "their" church. As I go back and look at the Great Commission, the marching orders of the church, Jesus clearly states that all authority is His, not just on earth but also in heaven.
Attitudes that proclaim "my" church as mine, "our" fellowship or brotherhood as ours, just seems to go against the whole idea of the Lordship of Jesus. Power struggles, church splits, even denominationalism hints at the usurping of Jesus' authority over HIS church. I could have sworn that accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior meant the surrendering of my will to His. I give Him complete authority over my life, my will, my desires, my agenda, my everything. If Jesus ceases to be the head, is it really His church and are we really Christians?
Pastors, elders, deacons, bishops, leaders, family groups, individuals who attempt to seize the sole authority of the church appear to be operating in contempt of Christ. I recognize that evey church, Sunday School class, small group has to have leaders. However, the example of leadership Jesus demonstrated and demanded was about servanthood, not exercising authority.
Our Bible Study group just started into 1 Corinthians. The first thing Paul addresses is division. I can almost see him slapping himself on the forehead as he talks about those who were separating themselves off into Apolloists, Paulists, Cephasarians and Christians. His argument, "Is Christ divided? Weren't you baptized into Christ?" In fact, he virtually repeats the comission of Jesus in Matthew 28 to go into all the world and preach the Good News of JESUS, making disciples of JESUS, baptizing them in the name of FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT. Salvation is from the Lord, not me or my church. Eternal life, forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, healing, restoration, meaning, purpose, hope, grace all come from God, not me or my church. Truth is His, not mine. The church is His not mine. My fellowship is with Him, but it's still His fellowship not mine. We are His "kononia," called out ones. We are ALL assemblies of God, of Christ. He is Lord of Lords.
God, I never want to be guilty of claiming the church I serve as mine. I never want to usurp your authority. I simply want to be your servant, your messenger, your ambassador. I pray especially for Brother Wood as he assumes this leadership position. I pray also for all spiritual leaders everywhere to submit completely to you and your will, to empty themselves as Christ did in Philippians 2.
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