Comments on: Continuing Reformation? http://ceruleansanctum.com/2006/03/continuing-reformation.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:37:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Stuart Bryanthttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2006/03/continuing-reformation.html#comment-31254 Stuart Bryant Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:34:01 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=209#comment-31254 I have been watching the church for over 20 years now and I believe that a reformation is now long overdue. What is reformation. It occures when the religious structure of the time has strayed from the truth and worships things other than God? This may sound odd to think that the church worships another kind of god, but I believe this to be true. The church now honours postion, power, charisma, money, self, buildings, ministries, university degrees and titles. We hear of the apostolic and prophetic reformations going on in the church and I am not saying that these changes going on are wrong, but I rarely meet a person who carries the title of apostle and or prophet who walks with the Love, grace and humility that I believe someone with these giftings should display. "Thus you will know my people by their fruit." In fact I believe that these changes are needed for what God is doing and is about to do. So what needs reformation. Working from what I know about business, a successful business needs a business plan. The foundational business plan of the church is first of all love for God above all else. The second is Love for your neighbour and the third is to proclaim the gospel. These three items have either gone entirely and replaced with the gods I mentioned earlier or they are fast disapearing from all denominations. I believe without doubt that the fire of God will be coming onto the church in the very near future and He will consume all things that are not of Him in His body. I believe that God is going to reform the church and it will be founded on Christ, it will walk in Love and it will proclaim the Gospel. I am not talking about seventies style love which destroys the people but of Godly love that will bring hope to a dying world. All that is required for this to happen is for the people to fall in love with God again. To fosake all other gods and place God at the centre of our hearts. Once we have learnt what love is then we can love our neighbour and proclaim the gospel. Then the church will shine in all the glory that the Father shall place upon it. I have been watching the church for over 20 years now and I believe that a reformation is now long overdue.
What is reformation. It occures when the religious structure of the time has strayed from the truth and worships things other than God? This may sound odd to think that the church worships another kind of god, but I believe this to be true. The church now honours postion, power, charisma, money, self, buildings, ministries, university degrees and titles.
We hear of the apostolic and prophetic reformations going on in the church and I am not saying that these changes going on are wrong, but I rarely meet a person who carries the title of apostle and or prophet who walks with the Love, grace and humility that I believe someone with these giftings should display. “Thus you will know my people by their fruit.” In fact I believe that these changes are needed for what God is doing and is about to do.
So what needs reformation. Working from what I know about business, a successful business needs a business plan. The foundational business plan of the church is first of all love for God above all else. The second is Love for your neighbour and the third is to proclaim the gospel. These three items have either gone entirely and replaced with the gods I mentioned earlier or they are fast disapearing from all denominations.
I believe without doubt that the fire of God will be coming onto the church in the very near future and He will consume all things that are not of Him in His body.
I believe that God is going to reform the church and it will be founded on Christ, it will walk in Love and it will proclaim the Gospel.
I am not talking about seventies style love which destroys the people but of Godly love that will bring hope to a dying world.
All that is required for this to happen is for the people to fall in love with God again. To fosake all other gods and place God at the centre of our hearts. Once we have learnt what love is then we can love our neighbour and proclaim the gospel. Then the church will shine in all the glory that the Father shall place upon it.

]]> By: Cerulean Sanctum » Continuing Reformation? Yes!http://ceruleansanctum.com/2006/03/continuing-reformation.html#comment-3193 Cerulean Sanctum » Continuing Reformation? Yes! Tue, 02 May 2006 17:05:31 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=209#comment-3193 [...] On Monday, I asked whether we had seen the last reformation within the Church. Many people believe Martin Luther's stand against the evils of the Roman Catholic Church was the last time God sought to reform His Church. [...] [...] On Monday, I asked whether we had seen the last reformation within the Church. Many people believe Martin Luther's stand against the evils of the Roman Catholic Church was the last time God sought to reform His Church. [...]

]]> By: Jenniferhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2006/03/continuing-reformation.html#comment-1870 Jennifer Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:28:00 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=209#comment-1870 "Are we in the need of a 21st century Reformation?" YES!!!! And I think many churches and individual Christians are going through positive reforms right now. Some call it the "emerging" church. I don't care for that label. But I am seeing more and more Christians wake up to the fact that being part of the Body of Christ does not mean attending a liturgical church service, or even a traditional church building, but in forming relationships and community. My pastor calls it "doing life together". It is actually a movement back to the tradition, fundamental truths that Jesus taught. Stripping away all the outside decorations we have erected over the centuries. Returning to the essential truths of the gospel and nothing more. Unfortunately, there are way too many churches out there still holding onto outdated traditions and rites that clearly parallel the RCC during Martin Luther's time. Not in theology but methodology. I love jonb's last paragraph above - that's the kind of reform I think we need. “Are we in the need of a 21st century Reformation?” YES!!!! And I think many churches and individual Christians are going through positive reforms right now. Some call it the “emerging” church. I don’t care for that label. But I am seeing more and more Christians wake up to the fact that being part of the Body of Christ does not mean attending a liturgical church service, or even a traditional church building, but in forming relationships and community. My pastor calls it “doing life together”.

It is actually a movement back to the tradition, fundamental truths that Jesus taught. Stripping away all the outside decorations we have erected over the centuries. Returning to the essential truths of the gospel and nothing more.

Unfortunately, there are way too many churches out there still holding onto outdated traditions and rites that clearly parallel the RCC during Martin Luther’s time. Not in theology but methodology. I love jonb’s last paragraph above – that’s the kind of reform I think we need.

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