Connecting points
Download as PPT, PDF0 likes174 views
This document presents a vision for reforming traditional church structures into learning communities. It advocates moving away from top-down organization, meaningless rituals and an emphasis on numbers, toward equal communities where members make decisions together and success is defined by spiritual growth. Financial contributions would be pooled to help those in need rather than maintain buildings. A website would connect learning communities and provide resources for home churches. The goal is to deepen understanding of God through service, responsibility and fellowship rather than rigid adherence to rules.
Connecting points
- 1. Connecting Points Connecting Points Learning Communities Learning Communities
- 2. Foundation Foundation Church as we know it has Church as we know it has existed in nearly the same existed in nearly the same form for hundreds of years. form for hundreds of years. We believe a change from We believe a change from doing church the same old doing church the same old way is necessary for us to way is necessary for us to deepen our understanding deepen our understanding of Jesus and through him, of Jesus and through him, our connection to God. our connection to God.
- 3. Luke 6:2-5Luke 6:2-5 One time on a Sabbath day, Jesus was walking through someOne time on a Sabbath day, Jesus was walking through some grain fields. His followers picked the grain, rubbed it in theirgrain fields. His followers picked the grain, rubbed it in their hands, and ate it. hands, and ate it. 2 2 Some Pharisees said,“Why are you doingSome Pharisees said,“Why are you doing that? It is against the Law of Moses to do that on the Sabbaththat? It is against the Law of Moses to do that on the Sabbath day.”day.” 3 3 Jesus answered,“You have read about what David did whenJesus answered,“You have read about what David did when he and the people with him were hungry. he and the people with him were hungry. 4 4 David went intoDavid went into God’s house. He took the bread that was offered to God andGod’s house. He took the bread that was offered to God and ate it. And he gave some of the bread to the people with him.ate it. And he gave some of the bread to the people with him. This wasThis was against the Lawagainst the Law of Moses, which says that only theof Moses, which says that only the priests can eat that bread.” priests can eat that bread.” 5 5 Then Jesus said to the Pharisees,Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, ““The Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath day.”The Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath day.”
- 4. Whatdoesthismean Whatdoesthismean forourdailylives? forourdailylives? Rather than giving license Rather than giving license for irresponsible behavior for irresponsible behavior I must now be more I must now be more responsible because I must responsible because I must judge each action on the judge each action on the merit of service to God and merit of service to God and man not just consider man not just consider whether or not it is whether or not it is “lawful.” “lawful.”
- 5. Luke 6: 37-38Luke 6: 37-38 37 37 ““Don’t judge othersDon’t judge others, and God will not judge you., and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn othersDon’t condemn others, and you will not be, and you will not be condemned.condemned. Forgive othersForgive others, and you will be, and you will be forgiven. forgiven. 38 38 Give to othersGive to others, and you will receive.You, and you will receive.You will be given much. It will be poured into your handswill be given much. It will be poured into your hands —more than you can hold.You will be given so much—more than you can hold.You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap.The way you give tothat it will spill into your lap.The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”others is the way God will give to you.”
- 6. WhatWeBelieve WhatWeBelieve “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. Also, love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.”-Luke 10:27
- 7. ANewWaytodo ANewWaytodo“Church” “Church” Moving away from: Moving away from: 1.1. top down organization top down organization 2.2.meaningless traditions meaningless traditions and rituals. and rituals.3.3. numbers based numbers based measure of success measure of success4.4.one “right” way to do one “right” way to do things things
- 8. ANewWaytodo ANewWaytodo“Church” “Church” Moving toward: Moving toward:1.1.community of equals community of equals 2.2.symbolic gestures that symbolic gestures that are meaningful to the are meaningful to the participants participants3.3. successes is people successes is people growing and learning growing and learning 4.4.the “right way” is the the “right way” is the way that works for you way that works for you
- 9. Learning LearningCommunities Communities 10-20 people 10-20 people members decide members decide together together • how meetings are how meetings are conducted conducted• where and how tithes will where and how tithes will be collected be collected• what tithe money should be what tithe money should be spent on spent on
- 10. Finances Finances Tithing is in place for Tithing is in place for three reasons: three reasons:1.1. It teaches us to be It teaches us to be generous, faithful and generous, faithful and trusting. trusting. 2.2. It is a savings for a time It is a savings for a time of need. of need. 3.3. When we pool our When we pool our money we can money we canaccomplish more. accomplish more.
- 11. Finances Finances Example tithing system- Example tithing system- Each family gathers their Each family gathers their committed tithe into a committed tithe into a savings account. savings account. When needs are brought When needs are brought forward we gather together forward we gather together what each feels is their what each feels is their portion. portion.
- 12. Finances Finances Conventional wisdom Conventional wisdom says between 40-60% of says between 40-60% of a churches income goes a churches income goes to the building. to the building. A room rental costs A room rental costs about $1000 a month in about $1000 a month in our area. our area.
- 13. Finances Finances If we don’t have an If we don’t have an infrastructure to maintain infrastructure to maintain 100% of our tithes can go for 100% of our tithes can go for helping people in need. helping people in need.
- 14. Finances Finances These are our priorities: These are our priorities: 1.1.Our own families Our own families 2.2.Our learning community Our learning community 3.3.The Connecting Points The Connecting Points community community4.4.Our local community Our local community 5.5.Those outside the Those outside the community (national and community (national and world wide) world wide)
- 15. TheConnecting TheConnectingPointWebpage PointWebpage • A place for learning A place for learning communities to communities toannounce events, announce events, establish relationships establish relationships and stay connected with and stay connected with each other. each other.• A place for other home- A place for other home- based churches to based churches to connect with a larger connect with a larger community. community.
- 16. Questions Questions Please contact us with any Please contact us with any questions, comments or questions, comments or suggestions. suggestions. Post a comment on The Post a comment on The Connecting Points page or Connecting Points page or message Tammy Johnson message Tammy Johnson directly on Facebook. directly on Facebook.
Editor's Notes
- #2: Connecting points is a two part vision consisting of learning communities and The Connecting Point webpage.
- #3: Traditions that once held meaning and significance have become empty rituals. Churches break up over disputes about insignificant details while the needs of families and communities go unmet. The world looks into churches and finds no answers to their problems.
- #4: We believe that rules and laws are in place to serve us. They teach us how to be better people and to treat each other in the right way, but we are not supposed to be servants to the law.
- #5: Cultures differ and the specific ways we relate to each other and God will differ with the culture, but the "law" of love God and love your neighbor never changes. Consider the lawyer in Luke 10:25-29 who was content to follow the letter of the law while seeking to limit his responsibility to care for others.
- #6: Jesus did not preach rules, regulations and procedures. He taught patterns of behavior. When we follow his example we are free. When we teach others by example we set them free.
- #7: This is who we are at the core. It is non-negotiable. All other beliefs, doctrine and theology can be openly and honestly discussed, debated, and studied.
- #8: 1. Traditional church hierarchies limit the ideas discussed and taught to the opinions of a few. 2. Traditions and rituals that were symbolic of meaningful events can become empty over time. 3. The drive to have a big church leads many well-meaning pastors to lose their focus on God’s purpose for their lives. 4. When I am right and you are wrong our ability to love each other is damaged.
- #9: 1. We believe that all people are equal and under the direct leadership of Jesus through his word and the Holy Spirit. 2. Symbolic gestures such as baptism need not be thrown out. As physical manifestations of an inner change symbolic gestures can be a very powerful experience for people in the right mindset. 3. If I change myself to be more Christ-like I am doing my job. If I help some-one else become more Christ-like I have been successful beyond measure. 4. When we can disagree, respectfully, our relationship is preserved.
- #10: Part one of the vision is to establish a network of learning communities that are independent in operation but interdependent with love and support for each other.
- #11: We believe that tithing is an important part of personal growth and should be encouraged. However, the traditional way leads many churches to turn their focus to growing in wealth instead of growing in spirit.
- #12: We encourage learning communities to set up a system for tithing that works to meet the needs of their unique situations. Some groups may wish to organize and collect tithes as a non-profit to take advantage of tax deductions, for example.
- #13: One reason for our focus on having home-based gatherings is that it frees up money to help those in need.
- #15: There are so many needs in the world, how do we know what to focus on? 1 st Timothy 5:8 teaches us how to prioritize our resources. If every person is our neighbor then we start with those closest to us and continue helping as we have resources.
- #16: Part 2 of the vision is The Connecting Point webpage. Both Connecting Points learning communities and other home-based churches are welcome to post their meetings and other events.