It seems all these things that are planned with churches like how services should go are often man’s plans and we say God bless it on top- like whipped cream, we plan them weeks or months in advance, not remain open to his leading by the Spirit. We don’t meet in real time in that way. It is an odd thing. The early church seemed to have the essentials of it- even though it may look different today and God may take it to a different level in the end, I think we need to start with the same essentials. I have a couple examples that stick out in my head of the unauthenticness of it all. I was in a worship planning meeting when the pastor was planning what taking the offering needed to look like to encourage giving, and how he would put an envelope in the plate in each of the three services, even though empty in two of them, so others would see he gives, and it would encourage parishioners to give. So unreal.
The other is a book a pastor was writing and asking us to help edit. It was how to get unbelievers into the church. It was all fishing analogies. As I read it though, it was all his plans of how to get people in, and I mentioned that what he really needed to do (in line with his own analogy) was ask the guy who stocked the pond as he had the best information for the day. He never responded and I wasn’t asked to read anymore of the book. Maybe it was pride, but I think what I said was true, we need to be seeking God, not making our plans.
I look forward to reading more of what God reveals to you! Exciting stuff! I want to be a part of the new, something different. I want to look forward to Sunday a.m. ‘s.