Our assemblies

[WilliamFloyd]

I was asked a question over at talkjesus.com concerning the structure of how many believers assemble. It can be found in the thread located here:
http://www.talkjesus.com/church-sermons ... aders.html

At the time, the words just came so easily that I wanted to share them here as this is a large portion of the task which He has called me to.

Let's say that an assembly has grown to 100 people. How many of those people do you suppose our Lord has called and gifted to be pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers, administrators, leaders, to teach, to preach/prophesy, heal, etc...? In order to get back to what our Lord always intended we need to totally revolutionize our way of thinking and get away from much of the traditional mindset, starting with organization.

1. Our assemblies shouldn't be 'pastor' controlled, but instead should be lead by the Holy Spirit and watched over by the more spiritually mature (elders) in order to insure that the flesh or a demonic influence doesn't take over.

2. The people need to be taught what it means to be a pastor, prophet, apostle, evangelist, etc.... according to God's mind versus traditions blinders. The calling/role of pastor has been corrupted from what our Lord originally intended for it to be. People don't really know what it means to be any of these and until they do they are always going to have a difficult time distinguishing their own callings unless God manifests to them directly.

3. The people need to be encouraged to always come to the assembly with something to share. Whether it be a psalm, a teaching, a testimony, a song, etc... When the people are aware that there is something expected of them, this will help weed out those who aren't really serious about their walks or who may even be pretend believers.

4. When everyone assembles, take turns going around the assembly so that everyone has an opportunity to share what the Lord has given them. There could be a time for the people with teachings, then for people who have gifts of healing, then for those who have songs in their heart, etc... When it comes to teaching, preaching, or sharing a prophetic message, give the time for the speaker to finish and then time for questions, criticism, or correction. If correction is required, then let the elders do so publicly in an appropriate manner. This helps insulate against false doctrine and also corrects a brother or sisters in need. It also demonstrates the character of the speaker and the assembly.

5. Don't put a time limit on the assemblies. In the cases of those assemblies which have special buildings set aside for the assembly, keep the doors open all day, and everyday. On the general assembly day, let people know when the doors will be opened, typically the usual starting time for the assembly. Let people come and go as they please, as long as they do so quietly as not to interrupt whatever may be taking place. Some people would love nothing more than to fellowship all day, so let them. Some people have other things to do, so let them go when they need to. It should be just like a family reunion, with people coming and going as they feel led. Those people who are more powerfully gifted in certain areas will become apparent and when it is known they they will be operating, that in itself will insure that people will be staying. Also, let people schedule time throughout the week so that they can give teachings. If there is a special building and all of the people are contributing, then they should have the right to use it whenever it's available. It shouldn't be the pastors personal property, but a building for the church.

6. Change the thinking of the assembly from bringing people into the building and letting the pastor get them saved to sharing the whole gospel of the Kingdom in their day and then inviting them to the assembly to welcome them into the family and find their place.

7. When strangers are brought into the assembly and they claim to be fellow believers, invite them to give their testimony and share whatever may be on their heart in their own callings/giftings. Always, always, always make sure that there is no one who is able to hide in the crowd. Rules for correction, questions, and criticisms apply. This demonstrates their character before all. Also, for those who may be visiting with the assembly, do away with the greeters and everyone turn to your neighbor stuff. This is simply flesh and more often fake because it's forced. If there isn't enough love in the assembly to genuinely want to know who the visitors are then there is an issue which needs to be addressed. Many people who are genuinely seeking the Lord, have been turned away by the fakeness and by feeling like it didn't matter to the assembly if they were there or not.

8. People who aren't followers of the Christ and haven't been baptized are only allwoed to ask questions and to tell people about themselves. They are not allowed to address the assembly otherwise.

9. If a visitor comes to an assembly and accepts Christ they are to be baptized immediately and someone is to pray for them to baptized in the Holy Spirit. If a person is genuinely convicted and accepts the Lord, they will be more than willing to get wet. Just for convenience, keep some towels handy for when this occurs.

10. The money which comes into the assembly is to be to cover the needs of the assembly first and foremost. Only those people who, on a full time basis, devote themselves to the word or to visiting or any other type ministry are to be supported financially. If they have time to work, then they are to work a job like everyone else. If all a person does is give a teaching one or twice a week, they have plenty of time to work and contribute to the assembly financially just like everyone else.

These are just basic, and what should be, common knowledge changes to what our Lord expected for us to look like and how to operate. When we start doing these things, a great deal of the corruption and division in the Body will evaporate and there will be no need for the separation which exists between homechurchers and institutional churchers. It will also break apart the many kingdoms which men and women have made for themselves at the expense of the name of our Lord. It's also great for instilling character in both leadership and disciples.

Please feel free to ask and questions or offer any critique.

[Pandora]

~ This is a good discussion, for sure.

Just to show a mis-guided example that I know of.

I go to another Board Just for Women Ministers.
I won't name them.

But I noticed that 75% were going by the Title 0f Apostles or Prophets.
With most being Pastor/Apostle OR Pastor/Prophet.

After being there for sometime.

I posted this question:
"How Many Here Have The Holy Spirit's Gift 0f Tongues?"

Not One of these hundreds of Ministers answered my Post! None of them.
Now these are Multi-degree Career. Bible Degree Influential Women who Pastor Churches!
Write books, are on Christian Talk Radio. Travel the world leading Christian Conferences.
Presenting themselves in a whole host of multiple Positions.
As Pastors-Apostles & Prophets. Or Evangelists-Apostles Or Prophets.
And not one has The Spirit's Gift 0f Tongues?

Needless to say, they don't know quite how to take me....

[WilliamFloyd]

Try asking the apostles what Jesus looks like or what kind of signs has God performed to validate their calling.

[Pandora]

~ Yeah, that would've been good to ask.

But at this point I think they're not going to answer me
no matter what the question is now.

[WilliamFloyd]

And it's that which demonstrates whose Kingdom they're really interested in.

[Pandora]

~ Sadly, yes.

[WilliamFloyd]

This is what I'm praying to begin. (Characteristics of an assembly which I will be overseeing.)

[WilliamFloyd]

I split the original thread because the conversation departed from the subject of the o.p. There are more people visiting this discussion forum and they are looking for things. I feel that the things which I shared in the OP are important for people to read and to digest.

[WilliamFloyd]

In addition to the OP:

11. The things of God are to be distributed for free, without financial compensation. Copies of teachings, sermons, music, counseling, etc.. are to be given away for free to any would like them. If people are lead to spontaneously contribute to supporting an individual as they devote themselves to their ministry, this is acceptable. But to place a charge, or to expect a 'suggested love offering', is corrupt and shouldn't be tolerated.