Most Christian's believe most of the same things, but the priorities we give those beliefs can have a huge impact on how faith is
Priorities in Practice
Jesus taught us to pray:
"Your Kingdom come, your will be done...
On Earth as it is in Heaven".
So, God initiates, We participate!
Or as we sometimes put our priorities, it's:
Presence>People>Programmes
In that order:-
"Your Kingdom come, your will be done...
On Earth as it is in Heaven".
So, God initiates, We participate!
Or as we sometimes put our priorities, it's:
Presence>People>Programmes
In that order:-
Presence
Talking about his Church, Jesus says: "... where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst", Matt 18:20.
When we come together we expect to meet and encounter Jesus both as individuals and as a community.
At Kings Church Wokingham, the Presence of Jesus comes before People (leaders, ministers and members alike) and the things we do together, our Programmes. Though both of these are important too.
When we come together we expect to meet and encounter Jesus both as individuals and as a community.
At Kings Church Wokingham, the Presence of Jesus comes before People (leaders, ministers and members alike) and the things we do together, our Programmes. Though both of these are important too.
People
Jesus once said, “The Sabbath(a rest-day/holiday or a holy-day) was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Because it’s a human habit to turn what should be God’s gifts to his people into religious institutions that people end up serving to maintain.
After the Presence of Jesus, King’s Church is defined by its People and then the projects, visions and Programmes that God has inspired them with. Of course as a church grows so the people who are called to make it happen will put on specific programmes to serve life as it happens.
After the Presence of Jesus, King’s Church is defined by its People and then the projects, visions and Programmes that God has inspired them with. Of course as a church grows so the people who are called to make it happen will put on specific programmes to serve life as it happens.
Programmes
Programmes and procedures are needed for any community of people but exactly will be defined by context. Our programmes should first serve the Presence of God and the People involved with us.
That said, Acts 2:41-47 gives a good list of the kinds of things Churches have been doing from the day the Holy Spirit first fell and filled them with Jesus’ presence.
That said, Acts 2:41-47 gives a good list of the kinds of things Churches have been doing from the day the Holy Spirit first fell and filled them with Jesus’ presence.
But when Jesus taught about God's Kingdom He put it into practice expressed through a community of people who were learning from Him. We now call that Community the Church.
Church is a gift for People, rather than the other way around. And we are a work in progress, so we:
Belong><Believe><Become
recycle and repeat
Church is a gift for People, rather than the other way around. And we are a work in progress, so we:
Belong><Believe><Become
recycle and repeat
Belong
Jesus called people to follow him and find out before they really understood who he was or what he meant.
They followed because they felt the good news before knew what it was.
At Kings we want anyone who experiences the hope in Jesus' words and message to feel welcome and part of the family as we explore the truth by doing life together.
They followed because they felt the good news before knew what it was.
At Kings we want anyone who experiences the hope in Jesus' words and message to feel welcome and part of the family as we explore the truth by doing life together.
Believe
But Jesus did anticipate that spending time with him would change people's thinking in a good way. The word he used, "Repent" simply means to think differently or deeper, it is not a judgement.
Jesus said that those who followed him would "know the truth and the truth would be liberating, John 8:32!
Jesus said that those who followed him would "know the truth and the truth would be liberating, John 8:32!
Become
"...Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...", Rom 12:2.
As we encounter truth in a grace filled community we should changed... not by compulsion but by compassion.
As out thinking changes so does our behaviour and ability to do life. Because the way we think affects the way we behave. Proverbs 23:7.
As we encounter truth in a grace filled community we should changed... not by compulsion but by compassion.
As out thinking changes so does our behaviour and ability to do life. Because the way we think affects the way we behave. Proverbs 23:7.