CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH GOVERNMENT

As we proceed through this teaching, some are going to be challenged, others offended.

I simply ask that if this is you, place what is said 'on the shelf' and leave it for another day. For the Lord reveals truth to us one step at a time. What we do not understand today, we may well be ready to receive later. Our walk with Jesus is very much a journey of discovery, not a single event.

Everything we discuss has the ultimate aim of bringing both our congregations (if applicable) and ourselves closer to Jesus.

Nearly everybody agrees, in theory, that this is a good thing. Indeed, more than that, it is the real role of ministry. Unfortunately however, much of what we do in church, in reality, is not oriented towards this goal. Sometimes this is deliberate, but very often, we follow traditions or create new ones, that serve to draw us away from God towards man, or structures, or..... The list goes on.

We all too easily become 'Old Testament' 'Christians', two things which are actually mutually exclusive. We cannot be the believers Jesus intended us to be, finding fullness in Him, if we go back to Old Testament ways. For Jesus came to bring a new way.

The 'new way of the Spirit' is actually very hard to follow, for it involves training, testing, and waiting upon His timing, which invariably, is longer than our own.

An example of this is found in the poem, 'Waiting'. It is the story of our wait for a building to lease in order to open a large store for africa arise, our project to help in a practical way the poor of Africa. (See our website http://www.africaarise.org.nz) It shows a greater ability to rest from my own endeavours, learning to relax in Him, shows as a progression through the poem, as each week I recorded that week's happenings and my reactions, as honestly as I could. I know that He taught me and built my faith through this. I trust it comes through to you too.

Wait for a time,
Then a little more,
Seeking a rhyme,
What's it all for!

I want it now!
Not next week!
You do know how!
To me now speak!

God, all is in your power,
Don't let my life go sour!
I already know what is the best!
No need to put me to the test!

Still nothing happens this week!
"Just wait for Me my son,
Rest in Me, let Me to you speak,
One day, all will be done."

Tuesday comes around,
A new deal awaits.
Found common ground,
With Christian mates.

Full of promise,
Full of hope.
Surely can't miss!
Nope! Nope! Nope!

Wednesday now,
Sign a deal!
We know how!
It's a steal!

Then get a call,
Deal does fall!
Lord I give up!
Hand You the cup.

Agony is inside,
It I can't hide.
What now can I do?
But give it to you.

It's Friday afternoon,
Speak to another man,
Another deal soon?
Yes God, you can!

Wait, wait; wait, wait,
No more, bull at a gate.
God, your will be done,
I'm at peace - your son.

Another deal done,
Contract written.
End of the fun.
End of the mission.

Given to his lawyer,
We're nearly there!
Need go no further,
No need to despair.

The lawyer says no,
No place now to go!
It has fallen over,
Home again Rover!

This time peace does reign,
Getting upset is no gain.
It's in the Lord's hands now,
Just needs to show us how!

Monday comes, another deal.
Great rent, it's a steal!
At last, something now, to us to show,
But is it the best, must wait to know.

Two weeks more,
Before we hear,
A deal in store,
Or a bum steer?

But now peace reigns,
God makes the gains.
It's all up to Him,
The battle to win.

Nothing to do but only wait.
Easier now for David Tait.
As I trust Him even more,
For what He has in store.

Wednesday, a call out of the blue,
Sounds too good, to be true.
New on the market that very day.
Maybe for this, has been the delay.

An offer on Friday,
Now wait some more,
Hear on Tuesday,
If not before.

'Just rest in me, my son,
In my time, it is done.
Trust me more and more,
I will open the door.'

The days pass.
Am at peace.
Nothings fast,
With a lease!

Late Thursday afternoon,
Could it be so soon?
An agreement comes,
Have done their sums.

It is all we requested,
Bar one point or two.
Our prayer is answered,
'It's God's gift to you!'

Friday morning,
Points included,
No more waiting,
Signature added.

Deal is done!
Now the fun!
Getting started,
Waiting departed.

Thank you so much Lord!
We are in one accord.
It surely has to be of you,
Deal's too good to be true!

Lord, as I now muse on what I've learned,
I see that more of you, I have discerned.
Now know I can always rely upon You in all You ask me I do,
Just need to wait, to rest, to fully trust, yes, it's true.

It is my prayer that as we share in this study, we will all learn together what the Lord desires of us as His people, in today's world.

The Holy Spirit is the first key to transforming the church. Let's find out why and how.

Wait, wait, wait; that is what we hate!

While waiting can be an excuse for inaction, more often it is Gods training of us. Discerning the Holy Spirits voice is a matter of experience, sometimes trial and error, and maturity in God.

"Holy Spirit, may we listen to you at all times. Amen."

TRADITIONAL UPPER ROOM

According to tradition (going back only to the 10th century), this is the place where Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with his disciples before he was arrested. Also according to tradition he appeared here after his resurrection. The hall was constructed by the Crusaders. The Fransciscans who bought it in 1335 introduced some changes in it. At the beginning of the 15th century, the Jews sought to buy the site because the Tomb of David is located on the lower floor. This attempt entailed a conflict between Jews and Christians. Eventually in 1551, the Muslims took possession of the site and transformed it into a mosque with "prayer niches" which can still be seen today.