AUTHOR: Robin Dugall DATE: 7:42:00 AM ----- BODY:

One of the things that I do is teach online courses at APU. You know that...so I probably don’t need to restate the obvious. But today as I was reading the responses to this week’s assignment, I saw one bit of input that I thought I would share with you. This week’s assignment was to read Romans 12 and then reflect on the text and created the ideal “ekklesia”...that is, what the traditional translations of the text regard as “church”. Remember, the english translations of the greek word (ekklesia) have really set the intellectual context for how we interpret and apply the text in our lives. In other words, when we think of “church”, we think of what the church has become...an institution, with buildings, staff, budgets, programs, etc. The original greek word, ekklesia, was really highjacked from the greek culture...any gathering of people, small or large was regarded as a ekklesia. The greek word has that flavor MINUS the cultural baggage that we bring to it. So, in this week’s assignment for my students, I asked them to deconstruct the word and INVENT or brainstorm what in their hearts would be the most faithful “ekklesia”. Here are a few of “fine” ideas from some bright students...read them and think about this...out of 22 students, these are the TYPICAL answers. This is what a new generation is looking for in “ekklesia”. Then think and pray, “what are we calling each other into?”. Boy does this provoke some interesting thoughts. If I had to create my own church from scratch, I would hope that it would be very different from the impressions that i feel are created by churches today. First of all, i would not broadcast on tv in hopes that people would prefer to gather as a community. i would also not have a flashy building. Now, i would want a huge building or gathering area (so more people could fit!), but not flashy...if that makes sense. if i were to lead a church, loving people would be the main priority. Why try to raise thousands of dollars to upgrade your sanctuary when there are churches in many foreign lands who do not even have sanctuaries? The message would be love love love..Love the Lord your God with all of your heart mind and soul, then love your neighbor as yourself. Kevin, 20 years old If I were going to make an Ekklesia the first thing I would do is do away with the physical church building. I feel like that would take care of so many problems. None of the tithing money would have to be spent on building materials or workers and there would never have to be any up keeping. The money saved could go directly to serving the poor and the widowed, the important things that the gospel stresses which the churches always seem to spend very little money on. The people of the Ekklesia would meet at houses, in parks, perhaps a school now and then. It would make the community so much more personal, and it would keep people from seeing the church on Sunday as the only place they worship. It would be in their home. People are in their home everyday and it would help them to realize that worship is part of everyday life, not just on Sundays. There would be no pastoral staff either. Everybody would have to take part in the community gatherings. If would cause everybody to be included and prevent there from being just a group of people responsible for everybody’s walk of faith. That is a lot of pressure for a select few and it forces everybody to be responsible for their own faith as well as taking a much more active role in the faiths of others. What would also be nice, is if all the people in the community were completely vulnerable with each other. No fake “how ya doin?” to your neighbor as you don’t even stop your quick pace out the door to listen for an answer. People would only ask if they cared and the people that answered would have no problem listing off a prayer list. Now we are all imperfectly human so it is really unrealistic but wouldn’t it be fabulous? Nicole 21 years old My idea of an ekklesia would be the picture of a church that sees itself as a place of community and fellowship. A place where everyone is accepting and understanding, while keeping the accountability of others. Essentially a place where we can build each other up, sharpen one another’s pencils, and renew us for the week. Even the pastor would be seen as an equal and a messenger of God’s word. The more we can trust one another and build each other up, the stronger we will grow together as a community. It would be a church who invites and accepts all people for who they are and confront them with love and friendship rather than judgment. Ryan 22 years old

-------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Anonymous COMMENT-DATE:2:20 PM COMMENT-BODY:Wow, those are some pretty encouragingly profound thoughts. If nothing else we are rethinking how we're doing this "church" thing and that really encourages me. -------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Anonymous COMMENT-DATE:7:00 AM COMMENT-BODY:One thought for those of us "older" folks is that these visions of church may occur in our lifetime or in our kids' lifetime. We need to be ready to accept this change when it occurs because if it is of God (and I think it is), won't we want to join him? -------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Anonymous COMMENT-DATE:12:09 PM COMMENT-BODY:Personally I look forward to a time when todays mega-churches are reworked and used as secular Rollercades and Flea Markets instead of begging cash coffers and better-than-you social circles. Sounds a bit bitter but I'm really not. I have just grown weary of watching a God ordained community opportunity downgrade into some kind of Wes Craven movie plot in which people are continually 'utilized' for what they can give and are cast off when they become the new needy. The great harvest should mean something more than just a time to give your tithes and offerings. The three posted students give this whole ugly topic a ray of hope and return a simple joy that is sorely missing in this bad western rendition of a precious eastern standard....of family. As a sorta related aside, I'm currently working on developing a once a month 'Outlaw Sunday' service in our towns biggest pool hall. The owner (who is not yet a professing Christian)has given me use of his building and his blessing to 'do the right thing for the people who need it'. When I told him that it was for those who don't fit into the traditional church model he smiled. When I told him that I will never ask anyone for money to build another church he was sold and threw me the keys. After being involved for decades with the denominational church scene and the home church community it will be refreshing to work again with no need of a net...and no fear of falling. Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. I'm glad to hear of young people with a heart bent toward the basics. May God richly bless them with His power, His integrity, and His Holy Ghost bravery. Rock on Christian soldiers! --------