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As Kari Malcolm's mom used to say, "Just like Corinth! It just couldn't be more like Corinth!"
I also note that their disunity tended to dissolve when they focussed on the Great Commission instead of on building their own kingdom - a leson I hope we, too will learn soon!
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
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Some of the above sounds familiar but much does not. These churches are very alive and very "on fire" despite the devil nipping at their heels.
None could deny that they are going somewhere and taking someone with themselves. The Chinese house churchers are even making plans to send missionaries to the USA. For all I know they may be doing it already.
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What I meant, (and Malcolm means) is that in their enthusiasm, the Corinthians, and the Chinese, sometimes got carried away. Paul had to write to Corinth about the "I follow Paul! I follow Apollos" controversy... Chinese believers had to deal with "King James Only" tracts and Presbyterian constitution and by-laws arriving in the same boxes with their smuggled Bibles - and the aftermath of divisiveness it created.
Corinth was great! It was on fire! It got pretty weird! People neglected basic relationships! China is great! I think the same goes.
The more dynamic a movement is, the more potential there will be for excess. But, as I teach my kids, if you are going to make mistakes trying to obey God, make BIG ones so we can figure out what God wants us to do. God can use a Jonathan who is sold out (1 Samuel 14:6) better than a Hezekiah who plays it safe (2 Kings 20).
I'm very concerned about the number of people for whom "safety and right doctrine" is more important than following the Shekinah Glory out of Egypt. In greater Tulsa, that is the biggest hindrance to the House Church movement. No one wants to leave "church as usual" until they are certain it is "safe". But, like Aslan, of course it's not safe. The Lion of Judah is not a tame lion!
I'm not sure if I'm gettin away from what you were saying in your original post, which sounded like a warning away from Brother Yun and the China House Church as a model. I took it that way.
We can be cautioned against non-biblical practices (such as neglecting the family) while at the same time being spiurred on to more whole-heartedness in following God.
My grown kids would rather be worshipping and church-planting with us than doing anything else in the world. It is possible to be sold out and to keep family on track, too. And I know you know that!
Blessings! Laurie Ann
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
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