“Modifying The Pattern” – Modern Compared To First Century

This article is part 1 of 4 in the series Modifying The Pattern

   (The following is a study which dad had developed for his “Three Unusual Days” Ministry. This was not one of his primary lessons which he used, but was used when he saw the need. Here you will find his initial lesson where he looks back at ‘how things have changed
‘over the years’… “reactions to change” and “A quick look at the New Testament church” followed by some thoughts on “maintaining ‘balance’ in the midst of change”.
   He was certainly no “change agent”, but wasn’t opposed to ‘change’ within certain guidelines and principles….
Let’s begin……
* Growing up, my mother made most of our clothes from flour sacks. I know it’s hard for most to remember those days. As we grew, she would modify the pattern and enlarge, and repair (patch) these same clothes.
* God is the builder of the church. While there are some guidelines and principles for the church, there is no “outline”, “strict form” or “pattern” per se which gives an ‘agenda’ or ‘routine’ or “mandates on the ‘how to’, for the church through the ages to follow. Problems addressed in the New Testament were largely to do with culture. (Dad put “98% cultural”).
Dad recollects where he went to church as a boy….(I think)

1. Old Bowling Green Church – (No elders/deacons) 
    A. No instructions – How often to meet
    B. Two week gospel meetings (Three Sundays)
         (Most baptisms during this time)(Imported Evangelists)
2. Advent = AUTOMOBILES! PAVED ROADS! LIGHTING!!! (Modify)-(Change)
    (Idea of a Sunday night service developed)
    A. Sunday School (Bible Classes) began in England (1870’s)
        1.) They simply partitioned the auditorium
    B. “UNINSPIRED LITERATURE” (Gospel Advocate)
        1.) These lessons were on a single card with a picture and written prayer.
        2.) Brethren took turns reading the lesson each Sunday
    C. (Then we) Built Sunday School Class Rooms
3. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (Modified – Changed to Bible Classes
    (Not much praying) (Hebrews 10:25 = used)
4. 1944 – TWO GLASSES WERE USED FOR THE COMMUNION
    A. Contribution – Was brought to the Lord’s table (without prayer)
         “Thank you brother so and so for your contribution of $___.”
    B. Servers for table – called from the floor
    C. Prayers for communion were memorized=little variation.
    D. Women had LONG HAIR – Wore hats/ head coverings
    E. Song leaders that waved hands (were considered show offs)
        (Usually the kept beat with their feet)
“IT’S AMAZING HOW QUICKLY EACH MODIFICATION OF THE ‘PATTERN’ BECAME AN ‘OBLIGATION’ ON EVERYONE. (ACCOMPANIED BY THREATS OF ‘HELL’ OR THE LOSS OF SOME ‘STAR IN YOUR CROWN'” FOR NON COMPLIANCE.
5. THE MEETING HOUSE HAD NO SIGN
6. YET THEY DEVELOPED AN “INFLEXIBLE PATTERN OF PROCEDURE”
    A. Three Songs – Prayer – Song – Sermon – Invitation – Communion – Collection –
         Song – Dismissal – (Covering of the Communion)
7. SONG LEADERS OFFERED NO COMMENTS (MINI-SERMONS)
    (No scripture reading)(No communion comments)
8. NO “PLACING MEMBERSHIP” (Letter)
    (No official Membership Roll)(No Withdrawal proceedure)(No church socials)
    (No kitchens)(No fellowship meals)
9. OUTDOOR OUTHOUSE – BAPTISMS IN THE LAKE
    (Modify) (Toilets moved inside)(Water fountains provided)(Kitchens)
    A. Kitchens were considered “Mark of the Social Gospel”
10. USE OF BLACKBOARDS AND FABRIC CHARTS WERE FREQUENT
    A. Fifth Sunday contributions went to orphan homes
    B. Once a year Children’s Home Truck picked up canned goods
11. EARLY TIMES: WE HAD NOT ‘PICKED UP’ ON CATHOLIC CONCEPT
    A. Church weddings
    B. Marriage “Sacrament”
12. NO FUNERAL HOMES: (Body of deceased = Home!)
    A. Someone sat with the body)(Sang at the grave side)
    B. All singing at funeral was congregational
*** DEVELOPMENT/EXPANSION OF A PATTERN = DUE TO EXPANSION AND
     GROWTH! (Clothing patterns change)(Styles)(Needs)(Shoe sizes)
     THE CHURCH = “A LIVING GROWING BODY”
*** EACH CHANGE WAS MET WITH CRITICISM AND DEBATE!!!
    
CHURCHES SPLIT AND DIVIDED RESULTING IN:
     (Non-building group)(Non-Sunday school group)(One cup group)(No kitchen group)
     (Non-orphan support group)(Non-located minister group)
*** All supported by “FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE”
13. CHURCH STAFFS (Modify – Change)
    A. Senior ministers/ Located Pulpit Ministers/ Educational ministers/ Counsellors/
        Secretaries/ Custodian/ Full time elders
14. OVERHEAD PROJECTORS (Modify – Change)
    A. Copiers and printers replace the mimeograph and printing press
    B. Bulletins (Mailed out to all – now emailed and web sites)
    C. Literature – written by women
    D. Worship teams/ Praise teams
    E. Contemporary Christian songs
    F. Dramas
    G. Song Cantatas
    H. Radio – TV – Internet
     I. Puppets – Applause
15. “A LOOK AT FIRST CENTURY NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY”
    (QUESTION: Out of all the congregations existing in first century… which one was the
     ‘standard’? Model for the rest? Answer – NONE!
    The first Century Church….
   A. It had a miraculous beginning (Pentecost – Cornelius)
   B. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Made available for all)(Acts 2:38-39)
   C. They had persons exercising SPECIAL SPIRITUAL GIFTS
   D. Jews only (at first for 7 or 8 years)
   E. Women wore veils while praying/prophesying (in the assembly)
   F. Destitute widows – enrolled as special servants.
   G. Other women – Deaconesses
   H. Evangelists spread/preached the Gospel.
    I. Teachers/Prophets/Elders – Edified the saints
   J. Church meetings (assemblies) – more HORIZONTAL than VERTICAL
   K. Love feasts – Fellowship meals were common
   L. First Church – “Held all things – common”
   M. Collections taken (WHEN NEEDED) for the poor/needy brethren/ Evangelism
   N. No budget/ No treasury/ No weekly collections
   O. No name used/worn (to) designate (which church…. there was only one)
   P. Racial/ Ethic differences / NOT TOLERATED
   Q. Laid hands on appointees
   R. Elders anointed the sick with oil and prayed
   S. They practiced fasting
   T. “Kiss of Christian love” was enjoined by Paul
   U. Washed feet – by EXAMPLE AND COMMAND of Jesus
   V. JEWISH DISCIPLES KEPT RITUALS – Law of Moses
   W. Used no hymnals – had no 4 part harmony
   X. No ‘placing membership’ is recorded as being practiced
   Y. No buildings – they met in homes
   Z. No business meetings/No staff

  

   

   

 

    
    

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