A couple years ago (7.18.15) I had the pleasure of hearing Francis Chan speak in Fort Wayne. If I remember correctly he was just starting up a church in his home, and the gist of his talk was based on this question: "If someone asked you to describe church using only the Bible and not your experience, how would you do it?" That's what he intended as the basis for his church. I happened to run across my notes the other day...
According to Francis, the average person could spend 3-5 hours a week leading a church like he had in mind. He believes it should be built on 4 things:
Anyway... I'm not saying whether Francis is right or not, or even if I agree with these four descriptors. But I'd been looking for them, and thinking about this, and am glad I found them.
- Love/Family - Basically the "one another" passages. He asks, "What if we REALLY loved one another?" Hmm... good question.
- Training/Equipping - According to the Bible the gifted people were equipped for works of service. Just like in a family, where people (kids) are trained in order to be released into the world.
- The Mission - Everyone should be making disciples (the Great Commission).
- Gathering together regularly. Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Monday, July 31, 2017
Chan's "biblical" church
I was reminded of this post from 2 years ago the other day. I believe it must have been 2013 when I heard Francis Chan give this talk in Fort Wayne (even though I said then it was 2015). Anyway, just posting this here again for further consideration: