Frank Viola in his book, Reimagining Church
shares his heart as he shares with the readers his dream for God's church. I
could not have stated it any better myself. May God touch your heart with
these words.
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a dream that one day the church of Jesus Christ will rise up to her God-given calling and begin to live out the true meaning of her identity - which is, the very heartthrob of God Almighty - the fiancée of the King of Kings.
I have a dream that Jesus Christ will one day be Head of His church again. Not in pious rhetoric, but in reality.
I have a dream that groups of Christians everywhere will begin to flesh out the New Testament reality that the church is a living organism and not an institutional organization.
I have a dream that the clergy/laity divide will someday be an antique of church history, and the Lord Jesus Himself will replace the moss-laden system of human hierarchy that has usurped His authority among His people.
I have a dream that multitudes of God's people will no longer tolerate those man-made systems that have put them in religious bondage and under a pile of guilt, duty, condemnation, making them slaves to authoritarian systems and leaders.
I have a dream that the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ will be the focus, the mainstay, and the pursuit of every Christian and every church. And that God's dear people will no longer be obsessed with spiritual and religious things to the point of division. But that their obsession and pursuit would be a person - the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have a dream that countless churches will be transformed from high-powered business organizations into spiritual families - authentic Christ-centered communities - where the members know one another intimately, love one another unconditionally, bleed for one another deeply and rejoice with one another unfailingly.
I have a dream...
I encourage you to join me in daring to dream this dream!
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
Ray
It you know of someone who would be challenged and encouraged by this blog please pass on a link to them. You can share this blog easily by clicking on the links below. I believe the church needs to be set free from the bondage of the status quo she has been in for so long. The blogs over the next few weeks will help us to see how this can be done.
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a dream that one day the church of Jesus Christ will rise up to her God-given calling and begin to live out the true meaning of her identity - which is, the very heartthrob of God Almighty - the fiancée of the King of Kings.
I have a dream that Jesus Christ will one day be Head of His church again. Not in pious rhetoric, but in reality.
I have a dream that groups of Christians everywhere will begin to flesh out the New Testament reality that the church is a living organism and not an institutional organization.
I have a dream that the clergy/laity divide will someday be an antique of church history, and the Lord Jesus Himself will replace the moss-laden system of human hierarchy that has usurped His authority among His people.
I have a dream that multitudes of God's people will no longer tolerate those man-made systems that have put them in religious bondage and under a pile of guilt, duty, condemnation, making them slaves to authoritarian systems and leaders.
I have a dream that the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ will be the focus, the mainstay, and the pursuit of every Christian and every church. And that God's dear people will no longer be obsessed with spiritual and religious things to the point of division. But that their obsession and pursuit would be a person - the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have a dream that countless churches will be transformed from high-powered business organizations into spiritual families - authentic Christ-centered communities - where the members know one another intimately, love one another unconditionally, bleed for one another deeply and rejoice with one another unfailingly.
I have a dream...
I encourage you to join me in daring to dream this dream!
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
Ray
It you know of someone who would be challenged and encouraged by this blog please pass on a link to them. You can share this blog easily by clicking on the links below. I believe the church needs to be set free from the bondage of the status quo she has been in for so long. The blogs over the next few weeks will help us to see how this can be done.
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