"We live in a crazy upside down world. People will move across the country for a job or for a school. But if you do that for a church, people will think you're insane. Or if you pass up an opportunity for advancement, explaining that you want to remain so that you can be a part of your church, people assume that you’re a part of a cult...Once there was someone who moved from heaven to earth because of the church. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy Bride. When you are gripped and affected and stirred for the church, you are simply reflecting passion for His holy Bride. "
Mark Mullery, Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church.
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7 comments:
Oooooo.... great quote. I'm not much for moving... and rather tend to be the rooted type. Maybe there's a place for that too? : )
So true - when we could afford to buy a house, we choose the community our church was in - just because that's where we spent most of our time, where I friends were. Now, as I contemplate moving for a new job (when God provides one), it is hard to think of living elsewhere.
Wow, that's intense! So counter-cultural! And that's why I like it. :-)
I love my church, perhaps my favorite local church to be a part of ever. But we are the church wherever we go. So I think that passion should go on wherever we are, finding God's people in Jesus everywhere through discipling, etc. and that we should not be so dependent on one local church. I wonder if we need to be more missional in our thinking and faith.
LL, I'm sure hoping there's a place for the rooted type. Never thought of myself as one of those but I've been in the same church for 24 years.
Susan, it's hard to move when you have to - the church is so much like an extended family, isn't it?
Craver, counter-cultural indeed - most Christians don't think that way, do we? Having said that, I don't want to make anyone feel guilty if they do need to move to find a job.
Ted, got your point about being part of the worldwide church but don't you think the that there is something uniquely accomplished in God's purpose by having individuals rooted in the local church? For instance, God extends His love to us uniquely through the local church where we are loved by those who know us best.
Yes, ESI. And maybe this should be a reason why people move today at times.
So I shouldn't say and don't mean to say that the pastor's words are not missional.
It is good and important to be well grounded in one's local church. Good to think in terms of moving somewhere because of a church, like Antioch of old. But I guess I'm probably reacting more to Christians trying to find the perfect local church. A missional mindset might make us do differently. But just a thought. Perhaps I'm off a bit here.
Yes, my friends from church (the ones that are still here and the ones God has called away to other places) really are my family - closer than blood. Funny how it can be like that, and yet so in line with scripture describing us a part of a body.
My daughter took brand new "friend" who was deciding if he wanted her to be his girlfriend to meet our family - no blood relations there but rather a pastor and his wife and their three children. They have been dear friends for 10 years and the pastor has acted as her substitute dad. Little did the young man know that there was no way she would even go out with him unless he passed inspection.
He, by the way, is very glad to have passed!
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