Yearly Archives: 2011

Over this past weekend, Don Love, international worker from Japan, spoke at our church.  One of the discussion points we had with him after the formal services was regarding house churches.

In Japan affording a”facility” is pretty well out of reach for most people.  A church building to accommodate 20 people can be in the millions (or at least into the million mark).  For that reason, church (the people) have to do without church (the building).  Small groups of people create church that is not related to a building.  The idea of a house church is to break forth into a community with the good news of Jesus, without feeling burdened by debt, worry and depression related to finances.

The problem of transfer of the term “house church” to North America is one of context.  Here a house church is more a “break away” style than a “break forth” style.  People join house churches to form their “own thing.”  They become isolationist – feeling that their way is the only way.  We have one example of a building in the same block as our rather larger church building.  Twice in the past few years our town administration has asked us who owns the building.  All they have is a box number – and they would like to put a face to the inhabitants of the building.

We don’t know!  Other churches in town don’t know.  Some people have been seen there, but we don’t know who they are.  When a house church becomes such that there is no community involvement, I really wonder if they are a church as Jesus intended.  Going into the whole world should mean at least those on the same block know who you are!

I like break forth churches, but not so much break away churches!

Check out the sermon tab at www.kindersleyalliance.com for two talks given at our church today by Don Love, international worker in Japan.  The talks centered on Japan relief and dealing with grief and suffering.

We are sitting in our home listening to Japanese.  Our international worker, Don Love, is sitting at our kitchen table.  Over Skype he is conversing to a small group of Christians in Tokyo.  I’m not sure I understand the conversation – Don indicated that he would doing some “pastoring” work with them.

There is laughter and discussion.  Sound like a great group.  At one point Jill and I stepped in front of the camera and spoke to the group.  They were amazed to see us in long sleeves (it’s a bit cool here today).  They are in a hot season. 

Their thanks are for our prayers during the tsunami.  And even today we continue to pray for them.

If you would like to hear Don speak a bit about his work in Japan, and some of the relief work he did in the last while – he will be at the Kindersley Alliance Church tomorrow (Sunday) at 11:00 in the morning and at 7:00 in the evening.  Both meetings will include different content – if  you can attend both, please do so!

Lately I’ve run up against the “system.”  There is the inequity of institutions that do not include mercy in their approach.  Loans that cannot be renegotiated, policies that do not allow for latitude, people who work as managers without authority. 

But this morning I was heartened to meet with a manager who is trying to work the system for the good of the people.  She had talked to superiors and they gave some latitude.  Now she would work with a board to see where things could go. 

May we find more people who work for the people and find ways to make the spirit of the law overcome legalism!