Act-ing.

Recently, I was led to begin an in-depth study of the book of Acts.  I am challenged to question all that I know and have grown up knowing about the church and its’ purpose. 

The questions I will ask are the “Who, What, When, Where, and How’s”?  Who is the church?  What is the church doing?  When is the church doing it?  Where is the true work of Christ being performed?   How does the church fulfill its’ purpose?

Having experienced different doctrines and denominations through the years of my life, I have seen these questions answered in many different ways — many of which seemed to be erroneously set “in stone” as the only possible view of the godly church.

Now, as I continue to mature in the Lord, I know I must constantly examine myself.  Even though resolved in my faith and personal relationship with the Lord, I imagine that some of my ideas of Christianity and the church are just that — ideas, not specific instructions from the bible, but little “nudges” and suggestions that seemed to appear godly.   

Our circumstances and surroundings throughout life often mold and shape our beliefs.  If we don’t continually test those beliefs with the very Word of God, we end up with misconceived notions that the way we know is the way it should be.  However, it could be quite the contrary.

So…join me if you’re interested in challenging your own “churchy notions”, or if you would like to help me challenge mine.  (Just be nice, ok?)