Mike Weeks (left) with friends on the River Nile, Cairo, Egypt, Summer 1995.
By Mike Weeks
Mike Weeks (left) with friends on the River Nile, Cairo, Egypt, Summer
1995.
If you're like most Christians who may run across this article, your Sunday
morning routine may look something like this: you wake up early (at least
early for a weekend), and quickly scramble around to wake up the rest of
the family, shower, put on your "Sunday Best," and hurry off to
a church sanctuary somewhere. If you have kids, somewhere in this chaos,
there is probably a heated discussion on what they will wear and/or who
gets what seat in the car.
Finally, you arrive, and after getting the kids to Sunday School (and maybe
another argument), you settle down in the sanctuary. After singing a few
songs chosen for you by a music pastor, you may tithe some funds to the
church which will be entirely administered by a few people in 'leadership'
and then listen to an oratory (we call it a sermon), by a professional we
call a pastor. If you're like most, you take careful liberty to make sure
the pastor doesn't take too much liberty with his time. After all, the service
needs to end on schedule. After all, you have things to do, and the kids
in Sunday School have already been let out. You might spend a little time
socializing afterwards, but very soon you must get the kids, pile in the
car and head home, or wherever your day's activities will take you.
Have you ever asked yourself why we do this? After all this is the very
Body of Christ we're talking about. Something so marvelous certainly deserves
to be expressed in a way that is equally glorious. Is our modern expression
of the Church what Jesus was talking about when He said, "...I will
build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it," (Matt.
16:18)?
Before I get into this in detail, let me tell you a little about who I am,
and why I desire to share on this topic. My name is Michael Weeks, and I
am 24 years old. I live in San Jose, California, and currently work as a
teacher. I grew up attending church services, and have been a Christian
for about nine years. I have regularly attended churches of the Lutheran,
Presbyterian, and Non-Denominational persuasions, and also attended a Catholic
high school. In addition, I have had much experience with the Charismatic
and Pentecostal denominations. I spent my college years evangelizing my
campus through a well-known Christian organization. I have also worked on
the paid staff of two churches - once as the junior high director, and another
time as director of outreach to a local low-income apartment community.
In addition, I have served as a short-term missionary in the United States,
Mexico, and Egypt. These experiences have helped me to see the full spectrum
of life within the organized church.
More recently, I have been challenged to look at what the New Testament
has to say regarding the Church. There are a large number of things which
are central to our experience of the Body which are remarkably absent in
the early believers. The first is church buildings and "services."
To say the word "church" in reference to a building or service
was a totally foreign concept to these people. Sure, they had meetings,
but nothings like ours. Pastors and elders did not stand in front of them
each week, and expound the Scriptures to them. A choir director did not
dictate who would sing what. In looking through the New Testament, the word
'pastor' appears only once, and even then it is not defined. Surely, they
did not merit the importance we give them. Elders? In Paul's letters to
the churches he planted, the word appears once! How is it then that, next
to the pastor, elders are center stage today in most churches. Choir directors?
Music Pastors? Don't even bother looking. You won't find them. Dare one
even entertain the notion that today's conception of pastors and elders
have no scriptural right to exist! Kind of unnerving, isn't it?
Well, if you are still reading, then maybe you'd like to know who it is
that dominated the stage in the Body as described in the New Testament.
It can be summed up in one word: BROTHERS. Or, to use the modern vernacular:
laymen. (By the way, this distinction between clergy and laity doesn't
exist in scripture.) That's right, the common, everyday, 9-5, non-seminary
educated, ordinary brother in Christ. Let's take a very cursory look at
Scripture. When an important decision had to be made in the church, it was
typically the brothers who decided upon it. ( See Acts 9:30; 11:1; 11:29;
15:2; 15:33; etc.) When an important journey needed to be made, it was the
brothers who sent off those who left, and often accompanied them themselves.
(See Acts 10:23; 11:12; 15:2; 15:33; 15:40; etc.) When Paul writes the churches
he planted, who does he address his letters to? Pastors? Elders? Deacons?
Never! However, in almost every case he addresses his letters to the brothers,
and the saints. (The word saints means 'holy ones,' and it refers to the
common every brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.)
Folks, we are dealing with a way of talking and a way of speaking that was
just natural to those in the early body of believers. Why, of course it
was the brothers who did everything in the church. It didn't need to be
instructed in scripture, it was just natural, organic. Today, when we read
the New Testament, we miss this entirely. Why? Because it is so foreign
to our way of doing things. It is the pastors and elders who make important
decisions regarding the church. When a representative needs to be sent somewhere
on 'church business,' don't expect a brother or sister to go. When a Christian
leader from outside of town comes in, does he meet and share first with
'laymen' or 'clergy?'
There's something crucial to understand from all of this: brothers and sisters
in Christ are not meant for Sunday morning pew-warming and mid-week Bible
Study. We are not meant to merely receive instruction by 'professionals.'
We were created for full participation in the Bride of Jesus Christ. The
Lord has given us Himself in all of His fullness, and He has done marvelous
and wonderful things inside of all those who have believed. We all have
burdens that we would love for others to bear with us. And most people in
the church, especially brothers, would like to play a part in the life of
the church that goes far beyond being a spectator. However, on Sunday morning,
and throughout the week there is little opportunity to share in the blessings
of the Lord with other saints. And, by the same token, huge numbers of believers
have nobody to help shoulder the burden's of life that the Church is supposed
to bear. And for a normal every day group of brothers to make an important
decision affecting the life of the church, it probably won't happen. And
what about having an opportunity to teach, share, instruct the rest of the
Body? Don't hold your breath.
What then, does the Church, as described in the New Testament, look like?
I think one word describes it best: ORGANIC. It had a chance to grow naturally.
A church planter would enter a town, impart the very life of Jesus Christ
to a bunch of pagans. After, spending several months instructing them and
further imparting the life of Christ to these people, he would leave, allowing
them to grow, struggle, and eventually find their own expression of Jesus
Christ. Without the church planter present, the most important person in
the Body does not become the pastor or elder (there were none at first),
but the individual believer. All the saints get to share the life of Christ
with each other. This includes, sharing, teaching, bearing each other's
burdens, and making the important decisions regarding the Body. Instead
of spectating, one is participating.
Another undeniable aspect of the New Testament Church is the complete lack
of church buildings. Don't under-emphasize the importance of this one! The
Body typically consisted of believers meeting in homes.(see Acts 2:43-47)
It seems likely that they lived fairly near to each other. What happens
when this takes place. Church no longer becomes a place you go, or a meeting
you attend. It now becomes the life of a group of people. It's no longer
Sunday morning and mid-week fellowship group. Instead, it's Sunday through
Saturday, and it could be at any time and any place. Yes, there are meetings,
but the meetings no longer become the focal point of Body life. The Body
itself, with Jesus Christ as its head, becomes central. (Incidentally, have
you ever thought of how much could be done with the money the church takes
in if it did not have buildings to pay for...and pastors to pay? Hmmm...
Folks, I am just scratching the surface. The New Testament Church is truly
a gold mine of the life of Jesus Christ. However, this is not just a small
piece of a believer's spiritual life; this is the very Bride of Christ,
and something so glorious as that, certainly deserves an representation
on earth that is equally glorious.
If you are still with me, you may be saying to yourself that this all sounds
nice, but it doesn't exist any more, and it's impossible in our society.
Well, I recently had the opporunity to visit two groups of folks who more
clearly exemplify what I'm talking about than anything I've ever seen before.
These are unique churches in that they have no church buildings, pastors,
elders, teachers, and those who are a part all live within a couple of blocks
of each other. They meet in each other's homes. I had the opportunity to
stay with a family in Denver, and a group of single guys in Chicago, and
observe their lives. (See following letter to some friends on this).
Truly they experience life together, so I will call it Church life. A typical
evening spent there would consist of going over to one of the family's or
single folks' home, eating dinner, hanging out, sharing, etc. Often, others
from within the Church would come over and visit, fellowship, etc. Sometimes
we would seek to touch the Lord together, and other times we would just
hang out with each other.
I experienced a freedom among the believers that I've never seen before.
They were free to make jokes about each other, say things which in some
Christian circles would be considered taboo, and generally have a good time.
I never felt like I had to 'walk on eggshells' because I would hurt someone's
feelings if I said the wrong thing. I sensed almost no defensiveness. This
comes at a price. The desire of the brothers and sisters in Christ there
is to know the Lord together, and part of this is being very open with each
other. Living and spending so much time with each other, one's hidden motives,
and sins are going to get exposed eventually, so one might as well speak
frankly, and openly, with no spiritual facade. For some, it may be easier
than others, but everyone evntually gets exposed.
As far as scheduled meetings, the brothers meet together once a week, as
do the sisters, and they all come together once a week. During the brothers'
meetings they get together to share about the Lord, hang out, and make decisions
regarding the Church (The sisters don't make the decisions, but they hold
veto power over all of the decisions the brothers make.) Note here that
there is no special class of clergy that decides the direction of the Church.
It rests totally in the hands of all those who are called saints, or 'holy
ones.' If you follow Jesus, that's you, and that's your spiritual inheritance.
The full gathering of the Church usually consists of a meal together, singing,
sharing, and anything.else they want. Sorry women, try as I might, I could
not get a firsthand experience of the sisters meetings. Either of these
meetings can last for hours, or for 15 minutes. If those who are present
have nothing to share, then they don't waste their time trying to come up
with something. However, if there is serious business to discuss, or if
the Lord is pouring Himself out on the group, why stop at an allotted time?
Knowing these things, it would be impossible to describe Church Life for
these folks as anything less than life. Church is not something attended,
but a life experienced together, and a pouring out of the Lord's life upon
His people. They fully expect Jesus to be the life of the Church. In the
traditional church, if there is a crisis, or a pastor leaves, there is structure,
and hierarchy to fall back on. If a pastor leaves, another one can be hired
to lead the congregation. In Church life, there is no paid or assumed leader.
If they do not allow the Lord to lead His church, it doesn't get led. If
a crisis presents itself, they do not have an individual to look to in order
to resolve it. If Jesus Christ is not the foundation of the Church, then
it will surely crumble. Kind of scary, but it certainly gives much more
allowance for Jesus to be Lord.
In closing, I want to point out that what I am talking about is not a new
method of 'doing church.' You can find a whole shelf full of these at your
local Christian bookstore. I'm talking about making Jesus Christ central,
and allowing His saints to be able to play the part which is their natural
inheritance as His children. I've left out a lot as far as implementation
is concerned on purpose. This is merely meant to whet your appetite. However,
if you would like more infromation, you can reach me at the following address
after June 25:
Michael Weeks
1780 Mantelli Drive
Gilroy, CA 95020
(Sorry, I don't have an e-mail address)
June 12, 1996
Dear friends,
Recently many of you have asked me questions regarding my trip to visit
a certain church in Denver. It has been difficult to share a cohesive version
of what took place, what I learned, etc. Therefore, I am going to attempt
to share with you on paper all of these things. Hopefully, this will give
you a clear picture.
First of all, let me give you some information that will refresh your memory.
For three weeks in March I had the opportunity to visit a church in Denver,
and one in Chicago. (No, Chicago wasn't on the original agenda.) These are
unique churches in that they have no church buildings, pastors, elders,
teachers, and those who are a part all live within a couple of blocks of
each other. They meet in each other's homes. I had the opportunity to stay
with a family in Denver, and a group of single guys in Chicago, and observe
their lives.
Truly, they experience life together. so I will call it Church life. A typical
evening spent there would consist of going over to one of the family's or
single folks' home, eating dinner, hanging out, sharing, etc. Often, others
from within the Church would come over and visit, fellowship, etc. Sometimes
we would seek to touch the Lord together, and other times we would just
hang out with each other.
I experienced a freedom among the believers that I've never seen before.
They were free to make jokes about each other, say things which in some
Christian circles would be considered taboo, and generally have a good time.
I never felt like I had to 'walk on eggshells' because I would hurt someone's
feelings if said the wrong thing. I sensed almost no defensiveness. This
comes at a price. The desire of the brothers and sisters m Christ there
is to know the Lord together, and part of this is being very' open with
each other. Living and spending so much time with each other, one 5 hidden
motives, and sins are going to get exposed eventually, so one might as well
speak frankly, and openly, with no spiritual facade.
As far as scheduled meetings, the brothers meet together once a week, as
do the sisters, and they all come together once a week. During the brothers'
meetings they get together to share about the Lord, hang out, and make decisions
regarding the Church (The sisters don't make the decisions, but they' hold
veto power over all of the decisions the brothers make.) Note here that
there is no special class of clergy that decides the direction of the Church.
It rests totally in the hands of all those who are called saints. or holy
ones.' If you follow Jesus, that's you, and that's your spiritual inheritance.
The full gathering of the Church usually consists of a meal together, singing,
sharing, and anything. else they want. Sorry, women, try as I might, I could
not get a firsthand experience of the sisters meetings. Either of these
meetings can last for hours, or for 15 minutes. If those who are present
have nothing to share, then they don't waste their time trying to come up
with something. However, if there is serious business to discuss, or if
the Lord is pouring Himself out on the group, why stop at an allotted time'?
Knowing these things, it would be impossible to describe Church Life for
these folks as anything less than life. Church is not something attended,
but a life experienced together, and a pouring out of the Lord's life upon
His people. They fully expect Jesus to be the life of the Church. In the
traditional church. if there is a crisis, or a pastor leaves, there is structure,
and hierarchy to fall back on. If a pastor leaves, another one can be hired
to lead the congregation. In Church life, there is no paid or assumed leader.
If they do not allow the Lord to lead His church, it doesn't get led. If
a crisis presents itself, they do not have an individual to look to in order
to resolve it. If Jesus Christ is not the foundation of the Church. then
it will surely crumble.
It may come as a surprise to many of you that the foundation of much of
what we today call Church is borrowed totally from Pagan religion, or the
whims of a historical religious leader. The church building was created
when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
He then modeled church buildings after their pagan temples, but with one
addition: pews. This is because people got tired of sitting on the floor.
Before this, almost every church met in homes in neighborhoods, and had
no pastor. In fact our modern concept of pastor (lid not come about until
the time of Martin Luther. The pastoral sermon is taken from Greek Oratory,
where a passage from literature would be exposited using a three-point outline.
This practice is still taught today in seminary classes called homiletics.
Some other practices gathered in similar ways are dressing up for church.
Sunday school pulpits, and the 11:00 Sunday meeting time. In fact a humorous
note on this one is that, the reason most churches meet at ii a.m. on Sunday
mornings is because Martin Luther like to stay out and drink on Saturday,
so he changed the service time to 11:00 the next day, so that he could sober
up enough to preach. All of this is grounded solidly in historical facts.
If Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church, then surely He must also
be the foundation of our individual lives. If you are a believer, His very
Life dwells in you. This life is powerful enough to lead us. We are then
set free from all laws and rules which are supposed to govern our lives.
Face it, we have never been able to completely follow all the rules which
were given to us anyway. Have we allowed others to put standards on us like
do this. thou shalt not do that, read your Bible and pray every day, evangelize
all of your friends, tithe 10%, speak in tongues, attend Church and Bible
Study regularly. etc.'? None of these things can lead us any closer to our
Lord. It has been my experience, that, if I exert my own self-will, I
can do most of these things. But ultimately they put me in bondage. Jesus
Christ alone is sufficient to live the Christian life through us. \\~ are
not capable of doing the same. Paul tells us in Galatians 5: "It is
for freedom's sake that Christ set us free, therefore. do not let yourselves
be subject any more to a yoke of bondage. This life of complete freedom
in Christ is what I witnessed much of in my time in Denver and Chicago.
There is more that I could share. However, for now, this is a good overview
of what I saw during my little excursion. I would love to get together with
you individually and share more. or answer some of your questions. I also
have some material you can read, listen to, and watch, if you want to find
out more for yourself, and don't worry that I've somehow gone really weird.
I'm not following any cult leaders, and I don't doubt anyone's salvation.
I've simply come to a new understanding of my relationship with my Lord
and with his bride, the Church. Hope to see you soon.
Mike Weeks
606 Mindy Way
San Jose, CA 95123
4/2/96