A short video regarding Biblical community from Tucson, AZ in April, 2020 https://youtu.be/zqYOmGihvz0 … [Read more...]
FROM BUILDING TO BODY
Posted on September 5, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Building to Body Transitioning from Institutional to Organic Church Jon Zens After hearing what I shared in the sessions at a conference in Mexico City, a brother from America suggested that I write about how a traditional church could morph into an organic ekklesia. After reflection, here is how I would respond to such an idea. One common question that often comes up is “How can typical church structures move from the status quo to being more like family, where there is more body-life?” … [Read more...]
“HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD PASTOR” Making a Mountain Out of a Myth
Posted on December 12, 2016 · 13 Comments
“HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD PASTOR” Making a Mountain Out of a Myth Jon Zens Assumptions are the devil’s details. All of us make pretty far-reaching decisions based on assumptions. If our assumptions turn out to be mistaken, the results can be devastating. For example, years ago when asbestos was used on a large scale, it was considered to be a helpful and valuable product. Of course, at the outset there was no history of its effects on humans. It came to be assumed that it was … [Read more...]
THE ONE-PERSON SYSTEM STRIKES AGAIN
Posted on June 23, 2015 · 17 Comments
WHEN WILL WE HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO CHRIST’S BODY? The One-Person System Strikes Again Many loudly proclaim “the Scriptures are our rule of faith and practice,” yet their actions reveal that in crucial areas they don’t really care what the Lord says. People say that they care what the Bible says about their personal lives, but what the New Testament says about Christ’s life in His body is, practically speaking, disregarded and pushed aside. Only by turning a blind eye to the New … [Read more...]
UPON THE GROUND OF MEN?
Posted on November 28, 2012 · 16 Comments
UPON THE GROUND OF MEN? The seemingly endless versions of words that oppose other versions of words in the myriad of Bible translations, gave me thought as to why this is happening, even today. A variant multitude of Bible translations exists, each with their name and individual trademark upon their version of the Bible. The reason for this should be more than obvious to us. It is because of the many opinions of the various words that are used to express what each of the translation’s authors … [Read more...]
“UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY EKKLESIA” — Carving Out Church Structures in the Rockscape of Cappadocia
Posted on September 25, 2012 · 15 Comments
Imagine living in a cave in the stark desert of what is now central Turkey, and having cathedral-like structures in close proximity to your dwelling. Well, believe it or not, that was a way of life for many religious people in Cappadocia from roughly A.D. 600 to A.D. 1200. Cappadocia is a barren, lunar-like environment, with cone-shaped rocks jutting up from the landscape. The area is mentioned several times in the New Testament, and Paul visited here on his third journey. Spiro Kostof … [Read more...]
Questions with Jon Zens
Posted on June 24, 2012 · 2 Comments
Questions with Jon Zens By Nick Mackison, Scotland I recently sent Jon Zens a list of questions related to organic/house church issues. He kindly responded and I have his permission to print his answers here (in bold throughout). Dear Jon, Over the last year or so, I’ve become convinced of the biblical basis of the organic church espoused in much of your writings (along with those of Frank Viola and Steve Atkerson). JZ: The phrase “organic church” itself needs some important … [Read more...]
UNINSTITUTIONAL 2
Posted on June 10, 2012 · 2 Comments
Introduction Jesus simply cannot be institutionalized. He said the Spirit is like wind. You can’t put wind in a box and make it happen. Inherent in wind is freedom. The only image that really captures reality is Vine-branches, organic relationships.... Visible Christianity is trying to serve an organic Jesus in non-organic structures. Is it any wonder that things work out like they say in the commercials –”your results may vary” — “some assembly required” — “batteries not included.” On … [Read more...]
HUMBLE PIE, ANYONE?
Posted on March 9, 2012 · 7 Comments
“Who being in very nature God . . . made Himself nothing . . . humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2) ================================================================================= “It is so amazing to see how quickly pride in one person can quench the spirit of others (even multitudes are ultimately affected and influenced). How my heart aches for God's glory to manifested -- and it will be -- as we walk in humility towards one another – … [Read more...]
SHOULD THE TAIL WAG THE DOG?
Posted on December 12, 2011 · 25 Comments
“If you indeed continue in the faith having been founded and steadfast and not being moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I Paul became a servant” (Colossians 1:23). “In fact, Christ, Himself, spelled out the mission of the church in what we refer to as The Great Commission . . . . That commission from Christ is the sole reason why the church exists today.” – James Longstreet, http://www.christianpost.com Is … [Read more...]
Author, speaker, editor of Searching Together, itinerant encourager of relational communities.
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