In my own words: Acts 2:42-47

I finished writing that last blog and thought, well hmmm, what would I write?  Not in bitter criticism or blanket generalizations, but as an honest assessment of my own faith community.  Here's what I came up with:

They devoted themselves to staying informed and supporting good causes and ministries.  They ate hearty food when they gathered, and happily prayed in the time they could find for it.  Quite a few people asked them questions about what they were doing, and they struggled to explain it, even though they all believed it was a good [God] thing.  The whole group tried to be generous with one another and with their neighbors, but it raised lots of hard questions about personal boundaries and creating dependency.  Living on limited salaries (many of them raising support), they tried to be good stewards, trust God for provision, and share any extra resources.  Most of them crossed paths a few times a week, but their main gathering was a Sunday night dinner where they talked about how to be a dynamic community on mission together.  And they really hoped this would become a growing thing very soon.

Acts 2:42-47

I've been meaning to post this for awhile.  Acts 2 is sort of like the dreamboat passage of many of the passionate, Jesus-following people I've been around this past decade.  It shows us a glimpse of the early church in all its radical simplicity and gutsy demands.  During the fall, we studied this section with the UrbanLife high school group I've been helping to lead here on the west side of City Heights.  The students are a mix of teens, some without any church exposure and others well-grounded in their faith.  The passage was challenging - as it should be to just about anyone - but it also intrigued many of them.  Particularly the part about others' being drawn to the apostles' way of life.  Yet, what I really enjoyed from our study of the passage was a version re-written by a group of youth in Charlotte, NC.  They were asked to write what they'd seen Christians USUALLY look like, in comparison to the framework seen in Acts.  Here's what they said:

"They occasionally read the Bible (as long as someone remembered to bring one) and they hung out for a bit, and maybe said a quick prayer before they ate... or not.  Every so often a few of them vaguely sensed God's presence, but usually only on a retreat or if the worship band was really good.  Everyone had their own stuff, and unless an offering was taken, they cherished it and held onto it so they could trade it in for more and better stuff.  They met once a week (unless the weather was nice or they had something better to do or their boyfriend or girlfriend didn't want to go).  When they did get together, there was lots of gossip, drama, and in-fighting... and tons of texting.  Many people on the outside called them hypocrites.  Once in a while someone would accept Christ and maybe get baptized.  Their group basically stayed the same size, and they were OK with that."

Convicting, huh?

Here's the real version.

"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

There's always some defensiveness when the passage closes.  

Well, who says our group has to get bigger?

That's just not responsible/ sustainable/ smart to get rid of all your stuff.  How did that work out for their kids?

Where did they all fit together in one place?

We all know that "goodwill of all the people" thing didn't last long.  This was just a golden moment.

I'm not looking to re-create Acts 2, but I do hope that I could be part of something that gets close to the essence of the early church members who held things lightly, praised God, shared freely, and grew by the grace of God.

How would you write out the reality of the Church that you see?