BY THE GRACE OF GOD, BECOMING TRANSFORMED INTO THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST
- Make Ready a People Prepared For the Lord - (Luke 1)
HOUSE CHURCHES
- Books -
| Being the Church Where We Live - Ron McKenzie |
BEING CHURCH WHERE
WE LIVE
http://www.kingwatch.co.nz
book by Ron McKenzie
(Editor's Note) - What I really appreciated about Ron's
book is his chapter about the Kingdom of God, and especially the major focus
throughout the book about the gifts of the apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher
and evangelist, and how he sees them working together/functioning in house/simple
churches/networks, etc.
I think that this is a timely book, and here in Canada it seems to be a time
when many are realizing the need for the '5 fold ministries' (for lack of
a better term) to be in operation in order to see the Church keep moving on
track with the Holy Spirit...but not quite sure how to move forward in this
regard. I think that Ron's book will be helpful in giving some good and needed
input in that regard.
He is also working on books about:
The Government of God / Times and Seasons / The Prophetic Ministry / Christian
Healing
Be sure to check out his web site for some other helpful articles.
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From the book cover:
"Jesus promised that he would build his church and that she would be
a beautiful bride, holy and blameless before him; but as I look at the modern
church our experience falls far short of his promises.
The Holy Spirit has not lost his power and Jesus has not changed his mind,
so the problem must be at our end. It seems that our Father is unwilling to
entrust the fullness of his Spirit to our wineskins.
Desperate situations call for radical change. More of the same will not get
us to where we want to be. If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, we
must shape our wineskins according to God's plan."
Some themes in the book:
Christian Community / Building Relationships / Power Pairs / Making Disciples
/ Spiritual Protection / Meeting in Houses / The Lord Supper / The Kingdom
of God / Starting a New Church / The Holy Spirit is Leader / Shared Leadership
/ Balanced Ministry / Role of the Apostle / Prophets in the Church / Real
Pastor/Teachers / Healing Evangelism / Dynamic Deacons / Professional Worshippers
This book contains several unique insights.
Relationships are the heart of the church.
Community is essential and practical for all Christians.
The ascension ministries are roles of elders, not high-powered leaders or
itinerant ministers.
Prophets and pastors must submit to each other.
The best elders should be sent out as apostles.
Apostles exercise authority looking back to those who sent them out.
The Kingdom of God is the goal of history, so every church must have a kingdom
focus.
A special building is not necessary for the church to function.
Healing of the sick is an essential aspect of evangelism.
The times are desperate, so radical change is urgent.
Many Christians all over the world have become dissatisfied with existing
forms of church. Some are so frustrated that they have stopped going to church
at all. These people are not troublemakers or backsliders, but are some of
the best people God has. They have become disillusioned with a church that
absorbs all their time and energy, but seems to be going nowhere.
If you know in your heart that God has something better, and you want to go
"hard out" for it, you should read this book. It offers a radical
vision, based on the scriptures, that will stir your heart and explain God's
purposes for his people in these times.
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The following very helpful intro is from: Being the Church Where We Live -
Ron McKenzie - p155 and following
"...The Kingdom of God is the goal of history, so every Church must have
a Kingdom focus. Our task is not complete when the gospel has been preached
to the nations. Our commission is the Kingdom of God (Matt28:18-20) and the
Church is just a means to that end..."
"...The gospels tell us that Jesus was constantly teaching about the
Kingdom of God. The good news that He proclaimed was the gospel of the Kingdom.
The twelve disciples were also sent out to proclaim the same message. (Luke9:1,2).
In contrast the gospels only mention the word 'church' once.
The Kingdom includes every area of life that is under the rule and authority
of God. If God rules a home it is part of the Kingdom. Where a business is
run on biblical principles, it is also part of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of
God includes every human activity that is done according to His will.
God intends His Kingdom to expand into every area of life....
...The Kingdom of God is a much broader concept than the Church...
...The Kingdom of God expands as Christians extend the rule of God into the
areas of life where they have authority...
..."The Church must never be an end in itself, but must always work to
establish the Kingdom of God...
...Instead of seeking to establish the Kingdom of God, Christians have concentrated
on building the church. The church has become a place of retreat for the Church....Rather
than being a place of retreat, the church should be a recruiting station and
training ground for the Kingdom of God..."
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Ron McKenzie is a Christian writer living in Christchurch, New Zealand. During
the 1980s he served as the pastor of a church, but found that he could not
manage to do everything that Jesus did. He is now employed as an economist
and writes in his spare time. He is married with three adult children.