The Alternative (Kevin Dustow)

I have explained over the past weeks why many people are fed up with the local church and its practices. The church does not seem to be anything like the early church in the first century was. In most cases it is self-centred concentrating on numbers and/or how many programs it has, how much money they can get and how busy they look. It is not concentrating on the fundamentals of discipling people. Christians are being abused, rejected, judged and controlled by leadership that are on an ego trip rather than being servants in humility.

Christians are being restricted in their ability to exercise the gifts of the Spirit which has been given to all (not just the pastor) for the edification of the Ecclesia (the people). I was talking to a person who told me they were in a church where they were well known to that congregation. She had a very strong Word from God for the Church so approached the Pastor on the Sunday morning. He replied “We have a full program for this morning’s service so you won’t be able to speak”. She insisted and he said “Oh well, you can have 5 mins but nothing more.” That is not how the church should operate. Coming back to New Zealand after many years and trying to find a good church to fellowship in has been difficult. I was very surprised that some churches close down for about three weeks over Christmas and New Year so the pastor and team can have a break. I could not believe it. That is when I began questioning whether I wanted to commit to that kind of church.

If you are happy in the church you are going to and are able to function as God wants you to then I suggest you keep going and flourish in God. But if you are like me and have been “beaten up” by leadership and other Christians and not been able to function as God wants then I have some ideas. It is important you are able to function as a Christian.

I do not believe big churches are the answer. People wanting intimacy is the reason many are leaving large churches. People are wanting to have freedom in a fellowship. (within guidelines) They are wanting to participate and use the giftings God has given them. The only way it can be done is small groups or home churches. That is how the early church met and the people flourished.

When I returned from Australia to New Zealand permanently several years ago, I was a wounded Christian and I had deep spiritual injuries that needed healing. I began looking for a spiritual home (a church) but had a huge mistrust of Christians and after visiting several churches I knew straight away, I was not going to get help. My brother and his wife were attending a home group and took me along. It was made up of people from different denominations but I felt unity. The worship was uplifting as was the fellowship. I felt freedom for the first time in a while. The gathering flowed in discussion and anybody could take part. God spoke through people in that group. The leader of the group had no theological training but had “been with Jesus.” The group continues to grow and has got so big that now we have formed two groups.  My brother and his wife are now leading another group in their home. Both groups are continuing to grow in numbers again. In the group I now attend we meet together for a simple pot luck dinner before the group starts. Simple but great. The fellowship is amazing. General talk and fun. After dinner we worship, pray, discuss, have testimonies and a short video or Bible talk. Anyone that wants can participate. If someone needs prayer for healing, we do that. If they have a Word from God they are encouraged to give it. We finish on time then there is a cup of tea available or people can leave if need be. I have been blown away by what is happening because I believe this is how the first church met together and how it should be. I am being spiritually healed and to be honest going to this home group is” my church.” None of this can be done in a “normal” church for various reasons and that is why so many Christians are dissatisfied and frustrated. In our group we have people just like me who have been hurt but want to fellowship with one another as Hebrews 10v 24-25 tells us to do. (last blog) We have others that do not have a church home but the group has become the place where they feel at “home.” We learn, we worship, we fellowship, we have fun and everyone is accepted just as they are.

Some of us visit each other’s homes during the week just to “catch up.” We go out socially with no pressure on whether we should attend or not. The other day we had a surprise birthday party for someone with several of us being invited. We were not expected to be all Holy and Righteous having to talk “Christian” stuff. It was fun. We have been to sports matches together. Can I say that this is the “church”. Remember in last weeks blog we talked about the “one another’s” in the New Testament. We are doing that. I have been to “church” in a local park or by a river.

These are some of the alternatives if you find problems attending your local church but feel guilty every Sunday morning when you are not there. This is how the early church functioned and it worked. Our small groups are for Christians but it is making them strong and getting them to the point where they can then go out and show the people that do not know God what a follower of Jesus is really like. This thinking has been part of my de programming.

If you have questions or need help, just email me. I would love give you ideas.

 Tomakomai1977@hotmail.com