CALL

CALL, CALLING

MINISTER

MINISTER

MINISTRY

Today, as we conclude 'The Power of the Call', I simply wish to re-emphasise the fundamental change in understanding that is taking place in the 'community of God' as opposed to the foundations of the established 'church'.

At the very heart of this change is the movement from 'church' being individual buildings, pastors and programmes, normally linked together through a denominational grouping, to a 'kingdom' understanding where each individual believer relates to God personally and individually. Instead of the church down the road being the witness to unbelievers and calling them 'in', each individual believer, progressively being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, is a personal witness 'out' in the community, amongst those whom they come into contact during their daily lives.

The new role of leadership is like that within a human family. It is the leaders job to help new believers become mature rather than dependent, in a similar way to teaching our physical children the skills required to become independent adults. Just as our children need to be taught life skills to become functioning adults, so too we are to be taught and then released into spiritual maturity by those whom God has chosen for that role.

The culture of dependence upon the pastor or priest for ongoing spiritual support inculcated in today's church has no place in the ways of the kingdom.

We all too easily forget the primary function of Jesus when He came and dwelled amongst us. It was to reopen a direct path for the individual believer to relate, once again, to the Father through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

This was magnificently symbolised when

Entry into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the presence of God, where previously only the temporarily purified High Priest could go once a year, was now opened to every believer, priest, pastor, to you, to me, every day of the year. Gone was the distinction between priest and people.

As the angels sang, through His death, Jesus fulfilled His purpose in coming to earth.

My friend, I urge you to pray about and meditate upon what has been written over these past months. It may be considered radical, even rebellious, to many who have faithfully served the current, physical, church based system. You may make your living from it. Change will be difficult, may even seem impossible.

Please, don't take 'my word' for it but search 'The Word'! Today, as there always has been, there is a choice between following a religious system or seeking the kingdom of God. May the Lord be with you as you choose which path you will walk.

Religion is based upon dependence, the kingdom, interdependence.

Religion looks inwards, the kingdom, upwards and outwards.

We will start a new series on us - men and women! Drawn primarily from the Walking With Jesus discipleship course, the series will cover practical subjects such as who and what is man and how God desires us to live.

Something for everyone!

As individual believers we need to grasp hold of both the promises and responsibilities of life in Jesus.

Gone are the days when we can try to pass off our responsibilities to a paid person to act on our behalf. The blessings too, are available to each and every one who fully dedicates their life to Jesus.

JESUS: BACKGROUND

Historical Overview

Rome - The Roman Forum

In early times the "forum" (place outside the door) was just a marsh, where many roads met. Here people could meet outside of town and exchange goods. As Rome grew the forum remained a meeting place and market place.