I do agree with the following assertions made by Pagan Christianity. 1. Church NEVER meant building in the New Testament. It always referred to a people. The authors do not show the "pagan" roots of ekklesia, though. It originated in the Greek calling of an assembly of citizens. Why did they leave this pagan connection out? Perhaps it would mean their home assemblies had borrowed something from paganism, too? Hmm....
The church was not then or is now a reference to buildings. It is the called out gathering of believers. There is too much attachment and expense used on buildings. I wish all buildings of worship were multipurpose so ministry could happen all week long. You know community gatherings, support groups, meals, benevolence, job training, afterschool tutoring, and the like. Our communities need so much more than just a once-a-week-song-and-speech gathering!
2. Sunday best is often prideful and discriminatory. I as a pastor of an inner-city mission seldom wear a tie. Our gatherings are literally "come-as-you-are-and-discover-who-you-were-made-to-be events. Over 16 years of service as a pastor I have encountered many who are reluctant to come because they don't have the "right" cloths.
3. The chief reason the New Testament gave was assisting others in need, not as an act of worship. The pastor that deals with giving/stewardship in terms of operations and staffing has mixed motives and conflict of interest issues. How many more could be served, evangelized and helped if these funds were directed away from staffing and electric bills for a worship center used only 3 times a week? I think we should support our teacher/pastor. There is direct teaching in the NT for this. I just wish it was not the biggest line item in the ministry budget.
more to come...
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