Thoughts From Saturday Night Meeting

Twenty five years ago, this book was the means God used to answer His call to pastor.
I'm not even sure the book is in print any longer, but I have my copy and I reread it once every year.

The basis for the book is that church has been taken out of the hands of the people given to (what the book refers to) professional clergy. We even have terms to divide church....
#1 - clergy....and #2 - laity. Now while I do agree that there has to be pastor's and teachers within the church, I think we've lost something by not giving the people a voice or place in our services. I'm not referring to a Christian-free-for-all type meeting, but I am on board with everyone having something to offer to the service. This is what I have tried to do with each meeting I've led.

Last night's meeting @ VRC was a prime example of this. Now I do not go out of my way to coerce people to speak up, but I do want to create an atmosphere that says, "It's o.k. for me to speak up when God lays something on my heart." Couple this thought with having a sense of freedom to speak up when you're hurting, whether it be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, and say, "Can I get some prayer?"

I have always wanted our meetings to be a safe place where people could speak openly and honestly about their personal struggles and problems. To honestly be able to say, "I don't know what to do or how to address my situation." Then let the church family come together and minister and pray over and for this individual.

I fully realize that since we are a small group, it is much easier to set the standards and boundaries for our meeting. People feel more open to share in smaller settings than in a huge congregation (this is why I am a big supporter for small home groups). 

Last night @ VRC, we had an individual speak up about their struggles. How they keep moving forward only to slide back into old ways, thoughts and habits. They truly were sincere in their asking for help. As we gathered to pray for this person, I said a prayer thanking God for providing a place where people felt safe enough that they could be honest about what was going on in their personal life.

We left that building not with a sense that we had gone to church....
But rather we were the church....

God on you....
mbb