There remains an issue with diversity and incarnating church in networks. Perhaps a way forward is suggested by the relationship between itinerant and local expressions of church in the New Testament. Jesus’ on-the-road disciples were dependent on those household-based followers like Mary and Martha. The travelling disciples could have been a rather narrow community but shared hospitality linked them to the wider church. I believe that hospitality and similar bridges offer a way of ensuring that ‘network church’ will not become ‘narrow church’.

You are a prophet. Teach others whether they listen or not: Tell.

“The most important thing for people of our time to know is simply this: “I AM”. “Those who have been made known of my existence & do not believe, are not in touch.”

“I have not given you this world to misuse. Neither have I given you this world to misuse others. Additionally, it is not for people to make sweeping judgements upon others. It is enough to teach people that “I AM”. I AM has given the 10 Commandments, these are the fundamental building blocks of humanity that are sanctioned by I AM. If THEIRS is a grey area, an area of dispute – this is not for man to decide but willbe the realm of I AM in each & every moment; movement thought & deed. Some confusion has come into the world due to the tampering of I AM’s Word. Know this: Thou shalt not kill. If a baby be born do not slay it. In all other cases connect with I AM. I AM will judge. It is up to individuals to connect with I AM. Teach. That is the extent of your reach. You will do kind acts towards others in the name of I AM. You will not sanction breaking of the 10 Commandments; neither will you interpret grey areas. If a commandment be broken, I AM is most displeased – in concrete ways with no dispute > protect yourself from these people who are sore in God’s eyes. Protect yourselves, yes.

Do not be the ones to dispose of choices. These choices exist. You ought not make laws to limit those choices. In these cases, mind your own business. My own flock finds its way. Do protect yourselves from illicit behavior. However, if there be population in need of a loving hand, yes. You will give them that loving hand in the name of your God; for I AM sees & knows what you are about in deed as well as in heart.

About supporting personal responsibility in the needy > Does a man making $700,000 of your currency have more ability & personal responsibility, more respect in Truth? More then the man who needs welfare, healthcare, shelter & aid? No. I AM does not deal in your currency. DO not place your values on me in my own name! A government of caring for the physically disenfranchised s a respectable endeavor in the eye of I AM Greed is not. Judgment is not > Only protect yourselves from those who make evil upon your own selves, those who would murder or maim with intent, or taint you. Remind them I shall judge the quick & the dead.” Davidic Royal House of Vere: Biblical House and Pillar of Truth.

Wars happen. Protect yourselves. Wars do not please God’s sight. I AM will rejoice when all creatures existing > Lions & lambs alike lie side by side in safe-keeping. Patience, kind acts, safety: Above all remember that I AM.

“I am humble & no-one to say something”, I told Him back. He said to tell. The Holy Spirit doth move me.

THE LORD HAD GONE UP THE MOUNTAIN TO RETRIEVE THE COMMANDMENTS MADE FRESH FOR OUR DAY; WHEN HE RETURNED HE HAS FOUND > Great sin. People sleeping around immorally, putting away their wives, ignoring the widows or single Moms struggling; and worshipping where there are alters with statues. HE IS BACK.

The Donation of Constantine was the document used to give man the right to make laws and to govern himself; and it is proved faked: withdrawn; nullified. God giveth and God taketh away. However; Divine Law, His Will, is eternally constant. Hear His Voice and Know Him who is Sent:

http://www.redicecreations.com/winterwonderland/meroveredragon.html.

The Illuminated Ones, El Elyon, then came to me in 2005 and they said I was given in marriage to a Great King sent; and so I yell to you from rooftops > Please help me celebrate our wedding.

His Spirit of Truth is the Seat of this Soul.

The Prince of Truth brought war and the Prince of Truth brought lies; because no-one would believe:
He is The King of Hearts.

See also the Pslam wherein David feigned mental illness before Abimelech.

God said “Remind them all of Moses, first-born must marry first.”

From she who sings the Song of Songs for our day.

(IVPalm)AHA :. made by God in USA;
Verily.

I see this as critical to us actually making a dent in this world, so I would certainly affirm the place of the community – and rigorous community at that.

But we do ask a lot of people in this!

What I was also saying was that our current western way of life simply mitigates against creating the kind of community that really does result in healthy discipleship and mission.

We have created quite a monster.

I think Bonhoeffer is simply saying that any church that is not immersed in the world as salt/light has completely missed the whole idea.

I very much like your description of the gathered community as part of the goal of Christian mission. I see EMC practictioners for whom this is a goal too!

I remember a conversation with Andrew Menzies, a Baptist pastor in Camberwell, where he made the distinction between ‘attractive’ and ‘attractional’ and I heartily endorse that. ‘Attractive’ suggests there is something inherently winsome and exemplary going on in the Christian community as it is noth gathered and scattered.

Part of what needs to be recovered by some who are involved in the necessary conversation the ‘emerging’ and ‘missional’ church advocates is a sense of the gathered community as part of the goal of Christian mission–sign and foretaste, and not just an agent. All the excited talk about ‘context’ and ‘being missional’ etc etc can simply become a new form of jargon which lacks theological depth. And without a genuine grasp of the biblical story about God’s desire to dwell among an authentic human community characterised by shalom, this talk and the conception of the church becomes merely instrumental to ’same ol’, same ol” evangelism… though perhaps with a labyrinth and candles and wine nearby…

If we’re going to train leaders who can rise above all this, ethics, ecclesiology and eschatology have to be at the forefront of missional thinking. If we don’t put the hard theological work in, I fear much or all of this ‘emerging’ conversation will go to waste…

I don’t know what to make of the Bonhoeffer quote. If he means we have to be involved in the world’s problems, I agree entirely, and he gave us an amazing example.

But I would not want to take his words to mean that the church and the world should be indistinct. We are baptised into a new world, a new humanity.

I think the church must be distinctive, but perhaps the ‘distinctives’ need to be better defined. The ‘wowser’ image has hurt us badly and we really need to shake that.

I’d hope we were known in the world as the ones who love boldly and give generously, who forgive graciously etc etc.

Everything that depicts the kingdom in its fullness would be my dream for the church.

Good conversation

I haven’t resolved these tensions yet. I probably have a stronger impulse toward the church being distinctive to the ‘world’ than many in EMC circles.

I don’t have answers at the moment, as strong a response as Milbank’s words did bring out in me. I’m just thinking aloud. Hope I haven’t offended; I certainly see EMC as an important dialogue partner for Anabaptism and as a mission and church partner too.

I like your distinction between ‘attractional’ and ‘attractive’. I need to look more into the connotations of ‘attractional’.

I think the model of what you are doing with Upstream is excellent, and the way you are doing church is how I’d like to do it.

I need to work out how ‘incarnational’ fits in what I’ve written above. I haven’t thought through that side.