We didn't get a chance to answer any of the questions asked on last week's post, so I'm being a brave girl and answering questions via my office... during construction... on my laptop camera... and no guest host... so cut me some slack. Who loves you, kid?
If you agree or don't agree on the issue, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Either way, thanks for stopping by, friends.
Edit to post: I said Hebrews 11:25, but it's actually 10:25. My bad!
31 comments:
Great video. Totally timely, too. I'm a church goer. Born & raised. But I'm also conflicted about the changing role of the church in our society and how much involvement is enough... vs. how much time I spend outside of the church with believers/unbelievers "doing life?" (My time is limited and I have a hard time balancing them both). Seriously, I walked every aisle of the Christian bookstore yesterday looking for *some* book that would address the new church dynamic in the US. I completely agree with the scrips you referenced and believe we need to gather together for teaching & edification. Like I said... I'm conflicted. Totally timely. Still searching for guidance on this issue. :)
Wow! I never thought about it like this. Great insight.
But what about those people who are taking a few friends and meeting at a house? What do you think about that?
Great idea BB!! Nice!!
-j
Bianca - I JUST found out about your blog and am SO very inspired by your heart for the Word, and your bold declaration of it! I am blessed by your honesty and the reality and relavance of your teachings! Thanks! And I totally agree with your video post - I'm seeing SOOOO many people pull out of the church and it's so saddening to watch. Thanks for giving some Word-based guidance to those looking for it in this area! We were never meant to function alone...a toe by itself means nothing and can accomplish nothing without a foot, nor a foot without a leg or a leg without a hipsocket..etc..etc...I love the body of Christ so much!! Thanks again!! :)
Love it!!!
p.s. Your lipgloss is poppin'! ;)
you're rockin' girl! can't wait to follow, hear and learn more from you!
such a good idea, bi. and well done. :o) but what is a jack saw? hahaha! you are absolutely adorable. i love you.
and i agree with jas. your lipgloss IS, in fact, poppin...and i have a new shade for you too!
xo
love the video message!! thanks for taking the time to do it!!
Awesome video and what a great way to continue to encourage women. You look beautiful as always. :)
~Maria
I love the q&a videos, keep them up! =) my 2 cents
You are so sweet bi, thank you for taking the time to explain!! :)
This is a great answer! I love how you addressed it. Totally right on. It is so tempting to think we can do things alone...and we get swept up in the modern drive for independence. It is great to remember that God doesn't want us to be independent..but to rely on him and one another. Thank you! I can't wait for next Friday.
hahahaha! i laugh because it went over well in SPITE of my bootleg recordings :)
@mel: I know?! I meant to say jack hammer and saw and it came out as jack saw. I need help!
@whitney: welcome to the blog! Thanks for making your presense known :)
@michelle: finding balance is super hard. but remember, church isn't a location or building, it's the body of christ. therefore, go out with friends (christian and non-christian) and BE the church. i find balance in simply questioning my motives and time-spent on leisure activities.
@jenn: home church isn't new. it's been going on since the days of Acts. i have no issue with home church as long as there is teaching, exhortation, and edification.
my beef is with people who are anti-church just to be anti. like super inde(pendent) and cool. whatever. different strokes for different folks... just don't be looking down on the institution because it's an institution.
Barely getting the chance to read this today. First of all, I love this, great idea!! Second, hair, make-up, everything looked good!! Third, do you need an agent??!! Hahaha!! The camera suites you. Lots of Love. BTW, J said "did she just say jacksaw11??"
Sorry about the 11 at the end, it was supposed to be (!!)
B,
Then I guess we are just talking semantics then. ;) I think that's the conflict for me. Feeling judgement when I'm NOT "in the building" or feeling like "a cog in the machine" when I'm IN the building. ;)
I think questioning our motives is PERFECT for ALL areas of our lives... not just church. And I'm with you in don't be "Anti just to be Anti." :) So I guess we're in agreement then. Ahhh, that feels so nice. ;)
I absolutely agree, I've noticed it more when I'm in a group example would be when my friends and I went on our own little retreat when my friends and I couldn't make it to the Genesis one; when we were praying, studying and worshiping we totally felt his presence oppose to when I'm at home alone listening to my JESUS MIX! and reading a few devo's etc... the feeling is not as strong or it's not the same,sometimes.
as followers of Christ we want to share his words, his love, his promises. He wants everyone to hear him, because he doesn't only want to save one but all.
I think one's faith becomes stronger and true when we go to church, that's when you re-focus, re-build and grow and not to mention understand the words of God, one can misinterpret the words in the Bible and if you have questions about it, what better place than to ask your pastor or someone you're close to at the church?
great video Bianca =]
oh, Bianca you are the cutest ever!!!
I so agree with your advice and would like to add that God has given each believer a gift to edify others and glorify Him. When we separate ourselves from the body of Christ (aka the church), we are not being good stewards of the gifts He has given us because we hinder opportunities to use them as He intended.
I also think that the American church is somewhat spoiled. There seems to be the belief that we need to be "entertained" at church. When I think of the people in other countries who walk miles to attend a service...or who have to worship in secret to avoid persecution...I think that they are probably not doing so because they like the worship music or the church has great activities. They do so to hear the Word of God. It's that simple. If you attend a church (as in building) that teaches the Word and is doctrinally sound, then your motivation for going every week is that you trust God will speak to you through His Word that the pastor teaches/preaches.
So excited about this new video idea of yours!
AWESOME Bianca!!! You are so cute! Anyway...i agree with all u said...and u know I am right there where we are trying to get plugged in, but sometimes find it hard or its easy to find excuses..."kids are in school, homework, cleaning...family time..functions...." but really, as i started to go more often, i found myself feeling more complete...i think we are meant to have fellowship and accountability...thanks for your wise words! Godd job girlie!
dug the video post. I've been thinking about doing some of these myself although the wife doesn't like my ideas so far.
Good job!
There is a hack saw :o)
I did the LB Half Marathon in 2008. I also got injured and still haven't completely recovered because I did it on my own. I often hear people talk about how they've gotten "burned" by the church, but it's so important to follow Jesus and not people, a pastor, a movement, etc. Jesus won't let us down, but everyone else will - including ourselves when we try to do it on our own.
thanks for that. i had a conversation with someone close to me about this very topic about a month ago and i couldn't think of the words to say so i stayed quiet. i was able to share the link with that person and i'm praying their eyes would be open. yes it's a "personal relationship" with the Lord, but the bible clearly states to be in fellowship along with sharing the good news and not keeping it all for yourself.
gracias amiga
Love the Friday Video Posts! And we love you too! It took David and I a long time to find a new church after the church we got married in fell apart because of a selfish senior pastor. It left us feeling lonely in the body of Christ and for a while, we did our own devotions and studies of God's word. Now, we are members of an awesome church right above APU and feel that we were taken back to a place where we can trust Christ and the Church again. Thank you for being so encouraging and loving to your blog readers.
oh Friday video Posts are a treat!!! :)
FUN!!! I am already anticipating next Friday! :)
what a wonderful analogy about the team and the triathlon!!! So
I know I need the body... and I think once we really experience the body of Christ the way it was intended by God to function we will realize how important staying connected is and what a gift and blessing the institution of the church is...
xoxo,
katee grace :)
happy weekend guys.
I think my heart skipped a beat when I heard you say Philadelphia! I'm so grateful that you answered my question - I figured it would get lost in the big blog universe... I've recently joined a Small Group and am working my way through the Bible with a fantastic group of young women, and I'm trying to find a church slowly but surely. I wholeheartedly agree that people cannot go on spiritual journeys alone, and I have been so very blessed lately.
Thanks for your wisdom and input!
Awesome idea answering on video! I love how you brought it back to the Word. It brings me joy to find people out there who still cling to it for guidance and counsel! Sooo wishing I had been there to see you on Sunday! I'm off to scan their website to see if they did a recording. ;-)
YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!! Thank you for being such a passionate, articulate, Godly woman out their KICKING butt. Brian and I are excited to meet you hopefully soon. we loved meeting Jasmine too.
Thanks Bianca for doing this:) Love the vlogs! and can you be any more beautiful?
Bianca,
I agree about running with the team. Christ created us in the Body to function together, not alone. There's no way we could run a race with one leg and no arms. ;O)
"Church" as defined by the culture of Christianity as a whole doesn't seem to function like the NT describes. At least not that I have seen. I like that you told Jenn that the Body needs to teach,exhort, and edify. I am in a home assembly Body of believers and I have been in an organized "church" before too. What I have experienced in the home assembly Body is far more edifying, than anything I have ever seen or experienced before. It's the part of the Body that I fit in and my gifts are taken seriously and not swept under the rug by an abusive leader who wants to be the head. Christ is our Head.
I am finding that authentic ekklesia is becoming more difficult to find.
AWESOME....
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