“Bottled at Source’ is the proud statement printed on the bottle of spring water I hold in my hand. The rest of the message emphasises how this water contains no additives or contaminants, but only the natural goodness found at the source – the unpolluted origin. The message is clear: the further [...]]]>

“Bottled at Source’ is the proud statement printed on the bottle of spring water I hold in my hand. The rest of the message emphasises how this water contains no additives or contaminants, but only the natural goodness found at the source – the unpolluted origin. The message is clear: the further from the source, the greater the potential for contamination; the closer to the source, the purer.

This is the same idea Paul had about the message he preached. “Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on a human point of view. For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11,12

The first chapter of this letter and much of the second is focused on this concept that no human taught him this message, neither was it the product of his own scholastic efforts. Rather, this message was initiated and communicated by God directly – he received it from the source … unpolluted, original, authoritative, pure. This gospel is not subject to human interpretation, translation or misrepresentation.

He goes through great lengths to explain that he had no prolonged contact with any of the recognized leaders – in summary: “But from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism )—those recognized as important added nothing to me.” (2:6)

Paul obviously understood the importance of direct, unrestricted contact with the Light of life as apposed to a second-hand religious system that attempts to communicate truth through a man-made hierarchy. Now he undoubtedly thought it important to communicate this message, but the whole purpose of his communication (and mine) was to introduce the listeners to the Source of these truths and not to set himself up as the source of their spiritual understanding. His attitude is portrayed so clearly in this portion of one of his letters: “We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.” 2 Cor 1:24 MSG

This seems to me a very different approach to that taken by religious institutions. Most of these institutions regard themselves, consciously or unconsciously, as the guardians of truth – desiring to control and mediate between their followers and God. In the process these religious systems have become contaminants of the original message – no longer containing the pure message as derived from the source, but mixed with the additives of human tradition and popular interpretation.

No father desires a relationship with his children to be interfered with through a third party broker – speaking to his children via an interpreter. The Father, your Creator, desires a direct open relationship with you personally. He is confident in the ability He gave you to hear Him and respond .
Jesus, seeing the emptiness of religious festivals and rituals offered a much better alternative. “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” John 7:37,38

We can no longer ignore the hidden facts. Our whole value system is shifting to suit the needs of individuals. Our entire social structure is reshaping to serve the passions of its participants. On a massive magnitude, the global world is reapportioning power from the “somebodies” to [...]]]> RUN! . . . THE LAITY ARE COMING!

We can no longer ignore the hidden facts. Our whole value system is shifting to suit the needs of individuals. Our entire social structure is reshaping to serve the passions of its participants. On a massive magnitude, the global world is reapportioning power from the “somebodies” to the “nobodies.”

These facts forecast a transfigured “laity,” and Christendom will not escape their transformations.

The Christian “movement” now encompasses more than the “church.” Christ’s mission now embraces more than “religion.” For spiritual leaders are showing up outside the established church, and “unbelievers” are becoming “believers” outside our sacred “systems.”

At the same time, we see an unprecedented transfer of divine power from the ordained to the ordinary, from the educated to the uneducated, from the empowered to the unempowered. God is breaking the constraints, in other words, on who and what a “pastor” is. Spiritual leadership is being redefined, and the implications are enormous.

New Players on The Playing Field

“Cutting edge” churches talk big about each member having a “ministry”–about the importance of the “laity”–about the “priesthood of all believers.” For most churches, though, nothing has changed. The old English word laite (or “laity”) still means the same: It means everybody else–the “un-clergy,” the “un-ordained,” the “un-empowered. Or, we could call them the “Sunday spectators,” the “church-goers,” the “religious crowd”. . . .

. . . in other words, all those one step removed from God.

But behind the scenes, a new laity emerges. They are spiritually yearning–yet institutionally alienated–trailblazers. They are often the unwashed, unwanted, and unrefined. Or, more to the point, they are “not-us.” They are “alien” believers no longer satisfied to be marginalized, to be excluded, or to simply support someone else’s program.

They are leaving their spectator seats, and they are refusing yesterday’s “manna.”

Of course, these believers still need belonging, and they still need redemption. Most of all, though, they need empowerment. They’re tired of old illusions. They want a true “priesthood of every believer.” And, they want a totally new relation between the dispensers and receivers of sacred information.

In short, they want a new way of thinking.

And they won’t wait. Already, they’re finding ministries beyond the religious sector. They’re discovering the power of widespread, creative networking. They’re taking their place as players on the playing field. In other words, they’re becoming inspired participants in the real world.

Though we may refuse the idea, they are Christ’s brothers and sisters. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And, they are leading Christianity into lands where old maps no longer work.

John Wesley is hidden in their DNA. Wesley said if a person’s heart is in the right place and they are obedient to the Lord, he cares

not a straw whether they be clergy or laymen. (For) such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.(1)

The True Story

Today, we’re forced to admit our idea of “laity” was never the intention of the early church. To say “laity” (or laos in the New Testament) was simply to say “Christian.” In other words, the laity were not a subspecies of anything.(2)

Free and spontaneous worship gave central place to all participants. “Spiritual leadership,” in fact, was widely shared. Lydia and Onesimus, for example, did the work of “pastors,” yet they were not “clergy.” Indeed, they may not have been even members of a “church.”

And, though we may not believe it, men and women shared equally in praying and prophesying.(3) And society’s outcasts–rebels (Simon), fanatics (Paul), thieves (Onesimus), corrupt officials (Matthew), and worse–were the leading saints of the early church.

It was only later that Ignatius and Clement argued for the dividing of “clergy” and “laity”–the severing of superiors and subordinates. After the first disciples, however, the power of the church came not from the hierarchy. It came from the monastic movement–ordinary believers who turned their back on an increasingly secular church to seek God above all things.

Let’s face it. The monastic movement saved the church!

But history repeats itself. So, once again, shamed believers like Martin Luther complained,

It is pure invention that pope, bishop, priests, and monks are called the spiritual estate, and all princes, lords, artisans, and farmers are called the temporal estate. This is indeed a piece of deceit and hypocrisy.(4)

What’s-His-Name

Yet, nothing has changed–even in the Prostestant church. Today’s church is still a “Christendom” church–a centuries-old legacy of the Roman Empire. It ignores the signs of the times–the raw truths of a pre-Christendom heritage and the sober warnings of a post-Christendom reality. It has become irrelevant to the Lord of History.

“Christendom” churches restrict things “religious” to certain times, certain places, certain people–”sacred” programs, “sacred” pews, “sacred” privileges. . . . Their little “kingdoms” are their only community, and their little communities are their only “calling.” So their very existence requires pulling people in and never letting them go.

It’s a survival anxiety, a maintenance mentality.

In Christendom churches, all “religious” energies must be focused toward the church. That means “professional” Christians must get the “amateur” Christians to “fill all the slots.” That means a command-and-control structure must prompt a silent consensus to work all the in-house programs.

It is a closed system, of course, with lockstep procedures, fixed agendas, and authorized leaders. So spirit-led laity and creative self-starters need not apply. And all the others must never stray from official guidelines

God help you if you make a mistake.

Obviously, these churches invest more in programs than in people. And, when necessary, they are ready to sacrifice people on behalf of their “first love.” In other words, if you’ve not chosen your own cross, they are more than happy to choose one for you.

And like most wars, “the soldiers are expendable.”

It’s no surprise that Christian “movers and shakers” outside the church feel totally underutilized–totally out of the loop. They’re told, for example, “Put your dream on hold and come support a real ministry.” That “real” ministry, however, turns out to be a frustrated club of part-time, spiritual dilettantes. And the clergy respond to their inevitable complaints by “getting what’s-his-name to read a prayer.”

And you ask, “Where are the disciples?”

But pity most the multitudes of hand fed sheep–the passive churchgoers blindly following out of habit or duty. Or grieve especially for those lethargic conformers already seduced by the addictive consumer church. Long ago, someone higher up decided these laity were “needy”–that they must be taken care of–that they must be given carbon copies, hand-me-down reports, of someone else’s story.

So they stand in line for their cupful of stale, second-hand spirituality. And, they’re given, instead, this meanspirited paradox: “. . . a Spirit that is much too obvious to see and much too close to reach.”(5) The damage done is incredible.

Each of us is an active, proactive, creative agent. Each of us “kick-starts” our moment in history–no matter how big or how small that moment may be. And, regardless of our ineptness, God still works through each of us to accomplish His purpose.

“There is anger over the hogging of ministry by professionals; anger over not empowering all Christians for ministry; anger over not releasing the spiritual potential in every believer.”(6)

A Team of “Spiritual Entrepreneurs”

But angry believers won’t have to wait long. The old notion of “professional Christians” is now questioned. For today, a new synergy–a horizontal synergy–is emerging between clergy and laity.

Already, authentic leaders are changing from harvesting to cultivating, from manipulating to mentoring, from teaching to modeling. Already, they are changing from programs to people, from “doing” ministry to “equipping” ministry, from managing institutions to making disciples.

Of course, the secular world had already discovered this shift from “hierarchical, competitive, aggression-based criteria of excellence to supportive, collaborative, interactive ones.”(7) And it has rediscovered, as well, the Latin word “authority,” which means “to help others to grow.”

So–better late than never–the church now toys with a shift from vertical style to horizontal style–from rank and status to love and grace–from patron-client roles to (believe it or not!) Christian brotherhood. It is a shared journey, a pilgrim companionship, a common walk. It is a non-coercive connectedness, a mutual mentoring, a paradox of following while leading. And no one rises above advice or critique.

It’s not so much a top-down structure. It’s more like a “solar system” where each planet has its own orbit, its own “gifts.” In other words, it’s more like a team of “spiritual entrepreneurs” where each believer supports and encourages the other’s inspired destiny.

St. Augustine got it right:

“What I am for you terrifies me; what I am with you consoles me. For you I am a bishop; but with you I am a Christian. The former is a duty; the latter a grace. The former is a danger; the latter, salvation”(8)

Spinning Off Totally New Riffs

So tomorrow’s spiritual leaders will build leaders who build leaders. They will make disciples who make disciples. And, they will equip apostles who equip apostles. Over, and over, and over. . . .

Jesus didn’t say, “Go change the city.” He said, “Go make disciples.”(9) In other words, ministry is through us, not about us. Through visioning, modeling, mentoring, equipping, risking, and midwifing, the new clergy will empower others to act. They will release the gifts, talents, passions, and energies of all.

That means anyone, anywhere, anytime, and any way. It means incognito missions of every kind–ministries in any walk of life–inspired creativity wherever it’s found–entrepreneurship in all Christ-like events. It means both within their community and beyond their community–cross-cultural and counter-cultural–local and global.

This new network is the new notion of “team.” It’s the paradox of diversity, yet unity–fluid spirit relationships, yet the same Spirit–distinct ways of witnessing, yet the same Word. It’s like a jazz ensemble intuitively following the leading of an inspired motive, then creatively responding to variations of that motive. All the while, though, each player supports and encourages the band’s unity. Then, suddenly, the band spins off totally new riffs in hot pursuit of the Lord of History.

Getting the Keys to the Car

Does anything go?

As long as the laity are aligned with the mission, they need a long “leash.” In other words, they need permission to do their own thing, to feel in control of their own destiny, to dream of more than they’ve ever dreamed to be. That means removing all the unnecessary barriers, all the things that stifle growth, all the constraints on new ideas.

Such permission, of course, includes permission to make mistakes. Of course, the apparent anarchy and seeming chaos of these mistakes drive perfectionists and control freaks crazy. But risk is a necessary ingredient of creativity, and novices need plenteous room to put their inspiration into play.

Sooner or later, they must be given the keys to the car.

This permission doesn’t mean laity have total freedom. And it doesn’t mean leaders relinquish total control. For the leader does not ignore his own anointing or sacrifice his own conviction. And, he’s not a pushover or a Casper-milquetoast pastor.

Sometimes, he must step in. He must rescue the participants, hold them accountable, or even throw out the “bad apples.” He may allow mistakes, but he doesn’t allow mistakes to “take over.” He may permit some things, but he doesn’t permit all things.

We confuse permission with permissiveness.

>>

Finally, though, transfigured laity mean transfigured leaders. The success of leaders, for example, is no longer the harvest, but the planting–no longer power, but empowerment–no longer personal gifts, but other’s gifts.

It’s a different success.

And, the sculptor Michelangelo knew this difference. Patiently–but passionately–he chipped away the excess marble while allowing God’s own vision to emerge.

© 2006 Thomas Hohstadt

ENDNOTES

1. John Wesley, http://prayerfoundation.org/books/book_review_heroes_john_wesley.htm.

2. See the following random Scriptures: Matthew 23:8-12; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12, 14:26;
Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; James 3:1,2; 1 Peter 4:9-11.

3. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15, 26; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.

4. Martin Luther, http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Luthers-Mass.htm.

5. Ken Wilber, A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science, and Spirituality
(Boston: Shambhala, 2000) p 141.

6. Leonard Sweet, SoulTsunami: Sink or Swim in New Millennium Culture
(Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 1999) p.58.

7. Derrick de Kerckhove, The Skin of Culture (Toronto: Somerville House Publishing, 1995) p. 62.

8. St. Augustine, quoted in Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Vatican II Council, http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents
/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html.

9. Matthew 28:18-20.

If you would like to see an article on a specific topic, please feel free to e-mail Dr. Hohstadt at suggestions@futurechurch.net

How do we form our opinions of ourselves and others? Regarding others, we usually gather information about their past, their reputation, their wealth and their appearance. There is a much more accurate way of gaining a truthful opinion of people.

Paul came to a place where he purposely changed the [...]]]> How important is your past?

How do we form our opinions of ourselves and others? Regarding others, we usually gather information about their past, their reputation, their wealth and their appearance. There is a much more accurate way of gaining a truthful opinion of people.

Paul came to a place where he purposely changed the way he viewed others. No longer, then, do we judge anyone by human standards. (2Co 5:16) And again the same thought comes through in 1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Can you sense his resolve, his firm decision not to allow any other knowledge to influence his opinion of people? The truth about man was revealed by the true light – Christ. In Him we discover who we are and why we live. How can we see mankind in any other light? Every man is now defined by Christ and Christ Jesus blew our definitions away!

It is absurd to overlook the divine qualities of man and instead focus on his weaknesses. But, if we do not determine to see every man in the light of Christ, looking past the exterior and acknowledging the image of God within them, then we will soon be disillusioned by the contradictions we observe in the natural. If our focus is not single – defining man by the revelation Christ brought – then we’ll revert back to humanistic psychology mixed with a bit of bible, to try and delve into peoples past to find the problem – and miraculously the answer – there.

People might have problems due to past experiences, but the answer IS NOT IN THE PAST. IT IS IN THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH IS PRESENT. The answer to any darkness is light. No matter how long the darkness has been there, when the light shines, it dispels darkness. Satan might have worked for decades to introduce lies to a person, but it can all change in a moment that revelation shines into that person’s heart. The length of the solution (time-wise) is not at all related to the length of the problem. Every deception the enemy has, has a fundamental purpose of questioning your identity. This is also the first temptation that he used on Jesus: “If you are”. So we don’t have to search to find the exact event that introduced a lie, and so find the exact lie. The lie is always reducing our identity to something less than what Jesus revealed. The solution, the truth is always seeing clearly what Christ brought to light!

Concepts such as ‘Inner Healing’ and ‘Theophostics’ can’t be found in scripture. We could avoid much misunderstanding by simply using the terminology of scripture. The closest concept we can find is ‘renewing the mind’ I say closest concept because they are not the same at all. To renew your mind has nothing to do with delving into your past to seek a solution there. The very attention we give to past problems is the energy they need to prolong their existence. Give them no attention, set your mind on where the action is – with Christ – and soon you’ll not remember what the problem was.

To renew your mind is to see from God’s point of view.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (KJV)
Rom 12:2,3 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (MESSAGE)

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (KJV) Some translations have obedience ‘TO Christ’ instead of ‘OF Christ’ – that simply misses the point. Here’s why. It is what Christ accomplished – his obedience, that now becomes the definition of my life. The whole of Hebrews chapter 10 explains that. This verse summarizes it:
Heb 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

It was the obedience of Christ that dealt with all of my past. It was the obedience of Christ that dealt with the sin problem. It was the obedience of Christ that ‘perfected’ or completed us. It’s when we undervalue His obedience that we start looking somewhere else to try and add to His work. It is when we undervalue His work that we subtly begin again with our own work to try and accomplish what we don’t think He accomplished. The only thing you can add to the work of Christ is your adoration – that will transform your outer life.

The following is an amazing verse describing how God transforms our outer lives by the revelation of our identity. Act 15:9 He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, beginning at the very centre of who they were and working from that centre outward, cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him. (MESSAGE)

Can you sense the attitude and spirit of Jesus when he entrusts a man – a man that was demon-possessed a few hours ago – He entrusts him to go and declare the good news to 10 cities! Should he not rather book 10 counselling sessions with him, enrol him on the latest courses, administer inner healing or break all those deep rooted generational curses? Somehow Jesus had no knowledge of our modern day practices. I don’t think he has any time for them today either and neither do I. They are a product of ignorance concerning the power of the gospel. Not esteeming the work of Christ as we should, is what creates room for these techniques.

When Jesus dispersed a crowd who tried to stone a prostitute, what does He tell her next? “You are going to need years of work! There are obviously many soul-ties to be broken. (Can’t wait till we get to the details of your confession) Enrol for my deliverance workshops, starting next Wednesday at your local synagogue.” No! He simply says: “Go and sin no more”!! How could He say that? He obviously believed that a true encounter with God, was all that was necessary to transform her life. He still believes that.

Maybe this lack of God-encounters is the reason why so many man-made techniques are invented; maybe it is because the message that is proclaimed is too weak to produce an encounter with God. A message “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” will need all the help it can get to bring change to peoples lives.

Let’s turn our attention for a moment to the woman at the well (John 4). Despite her past, despite her obviously flawed character, Jesus sees a greater reality about her. None of the facts can disqualify her from being introduced to a well of living water within her. She then, despite her reputation, proclaims Christ to her whole town!

In the same breath that Paul says that we should no longer view people from a human point of view, he also says “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” Notice, he did not say: “Behold the old things that passed away” His admonition is to set our gaze upon the new that has come! Focussing on the truth of what Jesus accomplished in and for us, contains within itself all the necessary ingredients to transform our outer lives.

God desires to occupy you with the present reality of His indwelling. From this vantage point our desire will be to include others also in the same experience, independent of their past.

How important is your past? When our focus is the present reality of His indwelling, our past is completely irrelevant. Even our future is stored in our present appreciation of fellowship with God. We become what we see – that is why we are encouraged to focus on Christ – therefore don’t focus on your past, lest you make it your future.

2Co 5:14-16 Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused centre: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look.

By Andre Rabe
andre.rabe@gmail.com

http://eclesia.blogspot.com