Rebel Without A Pew asked a compelling and important question on her blog today: What are the signs of a Spirit-fillled Church?
Last Sunday evening I attended our session meeting. Our new class of elders and deacons were being examined that evening. Our senior pastor asked each of them to give a brief statement about their faith journey. I was blown away by this group's responses!
Several in the group said that they had fallen away from their faith but were pulled back to church after 9/11. There were three who have lost a spouse and testified about the importance of their faith and the love and support of the congregation in helping them cope with that loss. Most of them related that when they first visited our church, they never visited anywhere else, they just "knew" this was where God wanted them to be. (An experience that El Jefe and I share with them).
Different ministries of the church were singled out for their importance in the spiritual development of these folks--our Church's School (preschool to fifth grade); Bible in 90 Days program; various adult study groups; mission projects; worship and music.
These folks are not "the frozen chosen." Tears, laughter, and emotion were displayed by everyone in the room as we heard how God was working in their lives.
Isn't this testimony the sign of a Spirit-filled church?
Last Sunday evening I attended our session meeting. Our new class of elders and deacons were being examined that evening. Our senior pastor asked each of them to give a brief statement about their faith journey. I was blown away by this group's responses!
Several in the group said that they had fallen away from their faith but were pulled back to church after 9/11. There were three who have lost a spouse and testified about the importance of their faith and the love and support of the congregation in helping them cope with that loss. Most of them related that when they first visited our church, they never visited anywhere else, they just "knew" this was where God wanted them to be. (An experience that El Jefe and I share with them).
Different ministries of the church were singled out for their importance in the spiritual development of these folks--our Church's School (preschool to fifth grade); Bible in 90 Days program; various adult study groups; mission projects; worship and music.
These folks are not "the frozen chosen." Tears, laughter, and emotion were displayed by everyone in the room as we heard how God was working in their lives.
Isn't this testimony the sign of a Spirit-filled church?
6 comments:
I love this kind of session meeting! Glad you heard that your programs feed and encourage people.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
One of the things that bothers me about the use of "spirit-filled" as an adjective is that it depends on a list of criteria that not all may share.
When Paul lists the spiritual gifts he used the phrase "Some are given...". Not all. Some.
A spirit-filled church will have a diversity of gifts given to a diversity of people, and it sounds like you are part of a "spirit-filled" congregation.
(I am commenting on both your posting and the one you linked to)
Yes.
Those are the kind of moments people/the congregation don't get to see on Sunday mornings though. Wish we could see them in more places and with unembarrassed joy.
yes it is, and no you are not the frozen chosen. Would that people would share their testimonies more. They don't know what jewels they hold.
((((((((QG))))))))))
I'm afraid I just read the original post and sort of vented over there at Rebel's place. :-(
"Spirit filled" to some people just means you speak in tongues. Never mind if you are a liar, a gossip, abusive, pridefull...etc. etc. etc.
SPIRIT FILLED means just that, fer cryin' out loud. Sound likes the meeting was full of God's Spirit allright. :-)
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