I have been putting off writing this for obvious reasons. Well, maybe not so obvious. To me what is obvious is that not many people can claim to know much about what it means to follow in the way of Jesus with a lot certitude, and certainly not I. Not because there is a lot of mystery involved, but because the knowing and doing are often further apart then the 18 inches that separates the heart and head. I am gaining tiredness from conceptualized Christianity. You know, the great ideas about God that on paper look good and right and proper.

I have this growing passion for a mundane, simple, and functional faith. A faith that leaks through one’s pores as one matriculates through the faith lessons of following the person, Jesus. In an effort to get in touch with this grass rootsy kind of obedience, I have spent some time in Acts. Namely because this is where the early church got its start. (Not really, but for the sake of pleasant conversation, please just agree).

What I experience as I turn the pages of Acts is very imaginative. I guess you could call it sanctified imagination. I dream of people loving, and giving, and helping, and eating, and working, and playing, and worshiping all in a way that is mundane, yet all consuming as it all happens in view of the resurrected Christ that is calling them to faith and obedience.

This all consuming view of Christ and His resurrection causes several rhythms to emerge within the church. Please note, these are not techniques. These are not strategies. These are not sanctified levers to pull. The goal here was not getting a certain result, but living real life.

These rhythms of the early church were much like our own breathing, which is done naturally with no ulterior motive other than to simply sustain life.

The rhythms were these: Word, Fellowship, Sacraments, and Prayer.

These things were done simply, regularly, joyfully, purposefully. They were the diet of the early church.

I understand that in today’s church, the contextualization of these things might look a bit different, but none the less they must be present and a regular and a rhythmical part of our lives. As the chest rises and falls with the intake and exhale of oxygen, so the church must find its movements and schedule around these, the basic nutrients of the God life.

This fall as we as a church move into another season of LifeGroups, our vision is to wrestle through the organizational expression of the organics of word, prayer, fellowship, and sacraments. We are going to find our rhythm. It might take a while and it might be painful. But, we believe in these God given movements as life sources for His church.

Are you in? Wanna offer your home? …  If so email Joey@mdchurch.org