tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167250939484647451.post7805234714284204301..comments2024-03-18T00:15:32.042-07:00Comments on Cole-Slaw: The Multi-Site Church Model, Part 1Neil Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289317696474966831noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167250939484647451.post-19776672490626557292009-09-27T15:31:58.016-07:002009-09-27T15:31:58.016-07:00Actually, it's not a particularly new idea. Ke...Actually, it's not a particularly new idea. Kensington Temple in London was trying this idea back in the early 90s, complete with the video broadcast of one superstar beaming his sermon to the faithful. Personally, it felt funny to me, but that could have been down to reasons that were to do with me and not the idea itself. <br />Really, as far as I'm concerned, the question is not whether it works or whether or not the people want it, but rather, is this the way a relational God is leading his people ? We don't want to be stuck in some inflexible interpretation of times past but neither can we afford to ignore the recordings of the NT writers in the name of "a different time and place and context". Perhaps I'm naive and it's wishful thinking, but I really believe that there is a foundation of practice that exists in God's ekklesia that transcends time, place and context. Anything truly led by the Lord could exist at any point in history or any place in the world. I stand by the analogy of the family - God has a blueprint for what a family should look like, yet no two families of the zillions in current existence are alike ! But in the world today exist many types of family structure that are anything but biblical/ God led. <br />Hmmm. Should we be disturbed at our need to keep coming up with new forms of church ? Do we not eventually keep coming back to square one, even if we won't publically admit it ?<br />Just a little food for thought.Taqgbo {grimtraveller}noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167250939484647451.post-37996059630181551872009-09-27T15:00:17.520-07:002009-09-27T15:00:17.520-07:00The critical question is "What makes a Biblic...The critical question is "What makes a Biblical manifestation of a local church?" Whether an organic church model, or a mega-church model, or the multi-site model, we must ask "Is this a Biblical manifestation of a local church?" If that question is answered, then most other questions can be answered (i.e.: leadership development, discipling of believers, etc.). <br /><br />And yes, we must be evaluating how people choose to "do" church today. We have hopefully learned from historical models of the local church in America ... so we best evaluate what we are doing in today's changing culture. Not in a "look down your nose" critical way, but with a genuine desire to effectively fulfill God's desire for his local congregation in this generation, and for generations to come.bobby gilstraphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09729558075870244139noreply@blogger.com