INSANITY

I heard a definition of insanity the other day. Doing the same as you always do and expecting a different outcome.

Does that sound like a church near you? I have read that the current day church has been doing the same thing for the last 500 years. I can well imagine.

In the last 25 years I have been involved in half a dozen churches in different towns. All do the same as each other with a few variations such as waving hands and jumping up and down or not.

The majority think that the only time that people want to go to a meeting is Sunday morning. The fact that 90% don’t hasn’t crossed their minds.

I suggested to one church that instead of meeting at 10.30 on Sunday morning, once a month we meet at 12 noon for a lunch and have a meeting afterwards. Response - Can’t do that, some people might leave!!

Another suggestion I made was that one Sunday a month we have a concert of prayer instead of the usual singing songs, preaching, and notices. A concert of prayer is when you make prayer for church and nation the focus interspersed with a few songs of praise. Response – can’t do that, some people might leave!!

Such responses suggest that God is here for us, not us here for God. We mustn’t do anything that will upset people. Guaranteed to kill of any life in the church as it is obvious that the people are in charge, not the Holy Spirit and it is our church not His church.

Perhaps that is why so many churches are not keen on letting the Holy Spirit run things. They might have to do things they don’t want to.

The New Testament Church was a vibrant daily experience for all those involved. The Kingdom of God was the focus of everyone’s devotion and activity. Being entertained or kept happy was not even considered. Operating without the work of the Holy Spirit was unknown.

Why is it that we settle for something so second rate that even the world thinks we are a joke?

Why is it that we would rather tell God what to do than let him tell us what to do?

Why is it that the only thing that matters is my personal happiness?

Why is it that I will make no commitments unless I get something out of it?

Why is it we prefer to be insane?