The Shift To Micro-Church
Jesus had a Micro-Church (even apart from his 12 Disciples!)
Lazarus, Mary, Martha
If you don't think they were close: Jesus Wept (John 11:35) - They saw an aspect of Jesus that hardly anyone saw
One of the most Intimate moments of the disciples lifetime happened in a home: The passover (The last supper)
It's no surprise that Jesus left a church that was accustomed to meeting and worshipping in homes.
The New Testament church was centered on meeting in homes!
Biblical Evidence:
Acts 12:12 (ESV)
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Philemon 1–2 (ESV)
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
1 Corinthians 16:19 (ESV)
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
Colossians 4:14–15 (ESV)
14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Why would we take that lifestyle and make it a lecture and song on Sunday morning?
Corporate gatherings like this one were not meant to REPLACE what was already happening in homes but rather to AMPLIFY what was already happening in homes.
To really wrap our minds around this we have to deconstruct hundreds of years of tradition!
Why did we strip the church from the homes!?
My answer: Priesthood
The church went through a period of time where they believed that they had to have SOMEONE else go to God for them.
Now: Let's keep in context : CHURCH LEADERSHIP IS BIBLICAL
Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV)
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
BUT THAT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO EXCLUDE THE BELIEVER FROM PERSONAL ACCESS TO GOD
We call this the "Priesthood of Believers"
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV)
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
There is nothing that happens here on a Sunday morning that cannot happen in the home of believers!
So we have to shift our mindsets to allow for the fullness of Christianity to happen in our Micro-churches
THE SHIFT TO MICRO-CHURCH
From: Some people are called (Pastors and Staff).
To: All are called, gifted and empowered by God's Spirit.
From: I choose my church based on my needs and preferences.
To: I choose my community based on a shared gospel mission.
From: The Sunday gathering is the main event and for my personal enjoyment.
To: The Sunday gathering is for equipping, encouraging, and inspiring to GO.
From: Community and mission is an interruption, optional, a threat to my schedule.
To: Community and mission is a priority and integrated into my daily rhythm of life.
From: The programs and events of the church institution exist for the benefit of the believer/member.
To: All efforts of the Body of Christ are focused on following/obeying the Lord, and the systems exist to love others, make disciples, and reach the unreached.
From: Our greatest assets are buildings, pastors, and programs.
To: Our greatest asset is the sent people of God living on mission.
From: We measure success by attendance on Sunday, money given, and programs developed.
To: We measure success by the spread of God’s Kingdom Culture throughout the city by a movement of disciples made, disciple-makers released, and new churches started.
From: Certain pastors, ministries, and church leaders are called to love and serve the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.
To: We are all called and equipped to bring the kingdom of God to any and every place.
From: Church finances should be spent on better Sunday production, nicer facilities, and more programs.
To: Church finances should be used for maximum kingdom impact such as disciple-making, micro-churches, church planting, needs of our city/world, etc.
