One Good Reason to Consider Your Motives

A new friend gave me a book to read the other night. This book comes to my delight as it is something that I’ve been wanting to read. Considering that I have a new found freedom from homework (YAY!) I’ve started to read this book a little more closely than I would’ve any other over the past two years. This is awesome because I love to read.

The title of the book is “House Church” by Steve Atkerson. I’ve had some exposure to some of the teachings his circle of influence and constituents teach, and worse yet I’ve had some experiences with some of the adherents to this type of teaching that have embodied what the author warns against in the very first chapter. Here’s a quote.

Church renewal advocate Darryl Erkel has appropriately pointed out the “danger of making distinctive New Testament patterns a form of legalism wherein we begin to look down or distance ourselves from our fellow brothers because they don’t quite do it the way that we think it should be done.We should always be careful to not give the impression to others that their church is false or that God can’t use their church because they’re not following apostolic patterns as closely as we are. That is nothing but sheer pride. On the other hand, we ought to look for a better way – one which is more conducive to the spiritual growth of God’s people – for the function of the New Testament church is best carried out by the New Testament form of the church!”

I think this really goes back to touch on the issues of what to separate over and why we should even begin to think about distancing ourselves or excommunicate others over differences in doctrine. One of the things that many individuals are leaving traditional “churches” over these days is the problem of ungenuine fellowship and practices. Some downright running because the traditional settings are “unbiblical.” But in the response, the pendulum swings so far the opposing way that it never returns to a place of reason or honest perspective, but cultivates a new heresy. In the end, the response has become just as guilty as the cause.

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Rejected by Rehab

Well, I can say that I'm hopeful to return to blogging more frequently again. The impending doom feeling I've been lugging around for the past year and half is finally lifted away from my shoulders. I can with rejoicing praise say that I've had my last "official" class for my undergrad. I am now only two papers and 400 internship hours away from receiving my Bachelor's of Social Work Degree. This comes as great news and a great relief. If you've ever been a student, you know the horrid feeling that lingers when you've got to get that paper done and you just can't seem to squeeze it out until the last second. I guess that primer they gave us in the beginning about managing the 168 hours in a week well didn't work out so well did it?

Speaking of rehab, I got rejected. Yup, you heard it right rejected by rehab. In case you didn't know, I had attempted to intern at a local drug treatment facility. It is well known for it's "Therapeutic Community" approach. This facility would've been ideal and was something I was very excited about. Due to extenuating circumstances I was turned down at the last minute (almost a month after being assured of placement by the director). This left me without an internship position less than three days away from my necessary start date.

I will be continuing to seek opportunities to work in the substance abuse and homeless communities and prayerfully pleading with the Lord for guidance and direction. I hope that you may have a minute or two to spare to intercede on my behalf for this as well. Five years ago I began a mission that would put me into a position to be used in the very communities from which I came, knowing that the compassion and help I was given will be of great use to the same folks who are often overlooked and unconsidered in many ways.

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