Simplicity

It did not take long for the early church to start behaving like an institutional church, but it did not happen immediately.  The early pictures we see in the pages of the book of Acts describe a church filled with powerful Christ centered preaching which was so blessed by the Holy Spirit that lives were changed by the thousands.  Of course, with that many people becoming followers of Jesus, the Apostles were led to provide a nurturing leadership.  We hear a word about how the thousands were nurtured in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers."

 

Some might say that the ecclesiastical water got muddied by the time we were ready to wade into it.  No one today would figure that a church could survive by focusing only on those four things.  Things like child care programs, choirs and hand bells for all ages, special ministries for special groups, providing transportation for ski trips, building bigger buildings, and, of  course, strong financial programs are surely necessary for survival.  Back in the days of Peter and John, no one would have thought to model the church after the pattern of a small, and in some cases, not so small business, but such is where we have gone today. 

 

It may be that these days of being separated from the church building and its ministries will sift and shake the institutional church in such a way that a ministry pointing toward simplicity will take hold.  It may also be true that those who sought the anonymous kind of membership in the larger church will find themselves seeking out the smaller gatherings where people in the pews can be known and where there might be a greater sense of being in a safe place.  Much remains to be seen, but one thing is certain.  As the church moves forward, it would be a blessing if it took the spiritual priorities of Acts 2:42 with it.