(1) In the early era Christians never met in
synagogues, or any religious structure. That's what made
gospel-life so different to other religions -- it had no
religious buildings, as did all other religions, including
Judaism. When Paul & others appeared in synagogues, it was an
evangelistic effort, not a gathering of brothers & sisters,
as displayed in 1 Cor.14.
(2) It would have been very easy in the early era to set up
clusters of believers in a city around ethnic roots -- Jewish
believers could have met in certain homes, and Gentile believers
could have met separately in other homes. But that would have
been a denial of all that the gospel stands for -- one new man,
where there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.
Believers from all backgrounds were to meet together in their
city, not apart. Is it not out of step with the gospel to set up
Christian meeting places whose rationale is based upon racial,
gender, economic or other human distinctions? In so doing are we
not erecting barriers that were taken away by Christ's work on
the cross (Eph.2:13-17)?
(3) "But do not be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your Teacher, even
Christ, and you are all brethren. And call no one your 'Father'
on earth, for one is your Father, who is in heaven. Neither be
called 'Leaders,' for One is your Leader, Christ. But the
greatest among you will be your servant" (Matt.23:7-11). It would
seem to me that in light of Jesus' teaching, brethren should
function together without titles like 'Rabbi,' 'Rev.,' 'Senior
Pastor,' etc., etc. The unbiblical clergy/laity distinction is
only fed by titles that elevate some above others.
(4) When I read Howard Snyder's "The Problem of Wineskins" in
1977, he pointed out that spending millions of dollars on church
buildings seemed out of whack with kingdom values. Is it not
possible that in light of our Rabbi's teaching about money, the
poor, and what church really is about, that we might do well to
step back and evaluate the wisdom of huge expeditures on
structures? The early church prospered spiritually and advanced
powerfully without 'holy buildings.' Why do we feel compelled to
invest so many resources into that which may very well bring us
to contradict our Master's teaching about His kingdom? It is with
heavy heart that I say that it seems that those in evangelicaland
manifest little concern about what the Lord's word teaches us
about the essence of church life and how we are to use the
resources He gives us as stewards. We seem to be driven by
anti-kingdom traditions of men that perpetuate a staus quo that
puts the emphasis on all the wrong things. We confess that Christ
is our Head, and that He rules us by His word in the New
Testament. Are we really willing to test our traditions and
practices by His word and jettison those things that block
obedience to His revealed will?
Thank you for considering my input.
Jon Zens
August 19, 2004