The Fire

No no...not another Sim's accident (however, there have been additional fires, but now that I put up smoke detectors, the firemen come before anyone can perish)

Back to the Fire.

As leaders in the church, it's so easy to get caught up in the machine. When you start a church, you may create some structure or programs to facilitate the organism. It's a scarey thing though, when the organism turns into a machine, and you can feel like it's a run-away train. You are running like mad to keep up with all the programs you created....and instead of you running them, they run you! When you see the machine developing...it's time to put your foot down! The church is supposed to be an organism, not an organization.

Jason has had this mantre for the last few months:

"If it doesn't come from the Fire....I don't want to touch it!!!!"

I'm looking at my life and finding that there are alot of structures that are running away from me. What are their purposes again? When/how did they come to be? Are they still serving my life....or am I serving them??? If they don't come from the Fire.....I'm not touching them anymore! Are they alive with the Fire of God? Do they aid in my pursuit of Christ? Are they bringing life? Those are good indicators that God is still alive in them.

Why do we attend church? Is it ritual?? Has it become a hum-drum machine that we attend out of "shoulds" and "have-to's"?? Or is it bringing LIFE to you.....growth...passion! Actually, I take that back. I really believe that growth in your spiritual life comes from a Friendship with God. A day-to-day relationship of prayer, worship, and reading the Word. So then what is church? For me, the number one point of it is community. I want to have real relationship with those around me. Do they love me? Do I love them? (AND SHOW IT!) It's one thing to smile and hug on Sunday...but are they apart of my life during the week? Do we worship together? Do we operate prompted by the Spirit of God? Do we gather as like-minded friends centred around the awesome Living Christ Jesus?

If it doesn't touch the Fire....I don't want to touch it.

That's quite an inventory to take. So I shall begin.