About two months ago I bumped into John White, Dawn Ministries Denver, and I began getting some of his coaching emails about house church. I had to cut and paste the most recent one as it just provides simple yet compelling thoughts on church.
Dear Church,
The concept of "prevenience" was at the foundation of Jesus' ministry. ("Prevenience": referring to that which goes before or precedes)
He said, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (Jn. 5:19)
"... I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (Jn. 8:28)
"For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it." (Jn. 12:49)
Jesus, the very Son of God, did nothing (zero/nada) on his own initiative. He spoke nothing on His own initiative. The Father initiated, Jesus responded. Jesus believed that His Father was prevenient. Every healing, every miracle, every teaching was initiated by the Father and carried out by Jesus.
His entire plan consisted of this:
- See what the Father is doing and do that.
- Hear what the Father is saying and say that.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
The "program model" assumes that the Prevenient Creator (who never made two snow flakes alike) will always follow the same format when His children come together. This model requires that we do the planning. We develop the agenda. Then, we ask God to bless it. This model results in church that is usually orderly (by our definition) but also often sterile.
The "prevenience model" assumes only that the Prevenient Creator is already at work before His children gather for church. This model requires that we see/hear what the Father is doing/saying and then ask Him how we are to respond. We surrender our agenda and look for His. This model results in church that is sometimes messy (by our definition) but also often exhilaratingly alive and fruitful.
Returning to the New Testament model of church does not just mean "doing church" in a house. It also means returning to the reality of Jesus being both present and prevenient.
He is no longer the passive "honored guest" for whom we perform.
He is "the Master of ceremonies".
He runs the show. He sets the agenda.
And, that changes everything.
John
John WhiteHouse Church CoachDenver, CO.Website: http://www.dawnministries.org/globalministries/north%20america.htm Blog: http://housechurchchronicles.com
Praying Luke 10:2b
Every believer a church planter.
Every home a church.
Every church building a training center.
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