Comments on: The Blessing of Fellowship in Jesus Christ – Part 2 http://theology.erlenbachart.com/2008/07/26/the-blessing-of-fellowship-in-jesus-christ-part-2/ Christian Theology, Life and Ministry Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill http://theology.erlenbachart.com/2008/07/26/the-blessing-of-fellowship-in-jesus-christ-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Bill Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:55:00 +0000 http://theology.erlenbachart.com/2008/07/26/the-blessing-of-fellowship-in-jesus-christ-part-2/#comment-82 I appreciate the comment, but question if you understand the point I am making. As a brief aside, I am concerned with the language "residents of Jesus' heart", but will let that go for now. The theological implications, however are significant. To the point, the issue at hand is not a modern conception of "pastor," the hours of work, or a place in heaven. It has everything to do with "being," namely "being" who God intended and intends us as humans to be. That is something we experience in a "now, but not yet" sense through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, being conformed to the image of Christ. Valen's place in the church was not merely a role, but a place in the communion, the fellowship of believers. Polycarp does not chastise Valen for lack of attention to duty, but for a failing of character, of Christ likeness. What I am resisting is the notion of community, and ministry in community, based more on modern managerial concepts rather than on conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. By this I do not deny the ministry tasks I must attend to, rather place them with in the collective ministry of the body (re-reading the first part of my post may be helpful here). My place right now, today, is not in heaven, but here. It is here that I must "be" conformed to the image of Christ. I must continue to be here, joyfully accepting whatever sacrifices are needful, until God so deems that my work here is complete. I appreciate the comment, but question if you understand the point I am making.

As a brief aside, I am concerned with the language “residents of Jesus’ heart”, but will let that go for now. The theological implications, however are significant.

To the point, the issue at hand is not a modern conception of “pastor,” the hours of work, or a place in heaven. It has everything to do with “being,” namely “being” who God intended and intends us as humans to be. That is something we experience in a “now, but not yet” sense through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, being conformed to the image of Christ.

Valen’s place in the church was not merely a role, but a place in the communion, the fellowship of believers. Polycarp does not chastise Valen for lack of attention to duty, but for a failing of character, of Christ likeness.

What I am resisting is the notion of community, and ministry in community, based more on modern managerial concepts rather than on conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. By this I do not deny the ministry tasks I must attend to, rather place them with in the collective ministry of the body (re-reading the first part of my post may be helpful here).

My place right now, today, is not in heaven, but here. It is here that I must “be” conformed to the image of Christ. I must continue to be here, joyfully accepting whatever sacrifices are needful, until God so deems that my work here is complete.

]]> By: Chris http://theology.erlenbachart.com/2008/07/26/the-blessing-of-fellowship-in-jesus-christ-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Chris Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:26:08 +0000 http://theology.erlenbachart.com/2008/07/26/the-blessing-of-fellowship-in-jesus-christ-part-2/#comment-81 Indeed, a pastor's place is in the Church. But what is the church? Is it merely a place where people go to worship once a week? No. The Church is the body of Jesus Christ; and those of us who are members of the Church are residents of Jesus' heart. Thus, we all have a place within the Church, and a role to carry out. However, not all people serve within the same capacity. As a pastor, you have been appointed to a heavier position. But take heart my friend, even though your role within the Church may seem hard at times as you have to work long hours ministering to the needs of others, even to the neglect of your own needs, your place is really in heaven. Therefore, the Lord will reward you for every step that you have taken to honor and glorify Him through the work that He has given you to perform. God bless you... Indeed, a pastor’s place is in the Church.

But what is the church?

Is it merely a place where people go to worship once a week?

No.

The Church is the body of Jesus Christ; and those of us who are members of the Church are residents of Jesus’ heart.

Thus, we all have a place within the Church, and a role to carry out. However, not all people serve within the same capacity.

As a pastor, you have been appointed to a heavier position. But take heart my friend, even though your role within the Church may seem hard at times as you have to work long hours ministering to the needs of others, even to the neglect of your own needs, your place is really in heaven.

Therefore, the Lord will reward you for every step that you have taken to honor and glorify Him through the work that He has given you to perform.

God bless you…

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