David Slyker, from IHOP Kansas City, came to BCOM recently to teach a class. He spoke of the western church being the bride, and when pastors bash the western church, Jesus is saying “careful preacher, that’s my wife you’re talking about!”

God Bless the pastors and youth pastors who heed the command of the Lord to enter into such a difficult occupation. I love the institutional church, but feel that things such as organic house churches, composed of unqualified people with a raw passion for God and no titles, will take the lead. I believe that America is heading in that direction. Not so much a decline in the churches activity as much as a change of appearence. Houses of prayer also seem to be growing and may also take the lead. That is unless we find a way to turn the decadence of this nation around, which hopefully will happen.

peace

Nice photo of the institutional church. I could have gotten a better shot for you…

Love,
Your Olathe friend.

I stumbled onto your website through facebook inviting me to the conference at Bethany. Funny then that I should read an article saying that you are not going to the “institutionalized church.”
I am not shocked or think any less of you for it. But I would like to tell you a story.

When we were missionaries in the Philippines, we visited a one of our established church plants with many believers for a village. I got my kids dressed up, but they soon got dirty, playing with the dirt and rocks under the benches! They didn’t have the money to buy guitar strings so the music was lead by a guitar without some strings and the singing was off-key! The testimonies were about how God had given them their food. No miracles or interesting testimony of something that God had done unusual. The elder spoke for about 10 minutes and used one verse and an illustration that he got from the materials that we taught him. After, everyone went home and we were not invited over for lunch so there wasn’t any fellowship!

I complained to the Lord and said “I didn’t get anything out of that church service! Why should I even go?” I felt like the Lord answered that I go to church to meet Him. He brought home a verse to me in a new way. It is shared often in the small churches in the villages in the Philippines. It says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20

I have remembered that lesson almost every Sunday now for more than 10 years! When I go to church, even now, I remember that I go to see Jesus. I spend some extra time with Him, praying after the service when everyone else gets up and walks away. I appreciate His presence. I love Jesus. I also find that I don’t want to go to church to visit a building. Right away, I feel at home and love seeing my family. They are so precious.

I love you, Elise. May God bless you with my story.

I would find living in an apartment or a mobile home difficult. I have lived in both of these at times in the past, so I speak from my experience. It’s not that they are “bad”. Some people are quite happy and content living in them. They don’t mind living in small spaces and in these shared communities. They thrive on not having large yards to maintain and houses to clean. However, for me, I need the space of a suburban home and yard.

Both are good, valid places to live.

So what has this to do with Elisas’ topic? The issue is not that one is “good” and the other “bad”.

Instead, it is more; WHERE are YOU called to live? And then live there to the fullest of all possible manner and glorify God.