The Church as Field or Force - Bonnie

I have just finished some study time and am contemplating church of the field and church of the force. Historically, we have been a church of the field, not through an error on our part really, the growth of Trinity from 250 active members to 1,200 with varying needs of the people caused that to happen and so many of "us" had a concept of what church should be. To be a disciple - to love unconditionally - that is really what it takes to be a disciple - to love without "the I need to receive back" thought pattern. how do we achieve that - by self-examination where are we - age wise? pattern wise? and then by reading his word, meditating, and realizing that each day we need to die to self. Now, during the course of our own evaluation, then how do we move into the body with that thought pattern so that the members of the body minister.

Some will develop by example and then we need to be better communicators between the areas of ministry. Also, we want our children to be part of the body then the body should be part of the children's ministry at times - e.g. for example a children's front porch service in the sanctuary once in a while and just as it would be done in the children's church. One thing that struck home with me is that we often times are "too concerned" about things being just "so" and what would people think if we actually sang a children's song or did something " a little childish" - but perhaps we would be working as one body recognizing that we all are at different levels. Or the teenagers - not just sitting in a section on Sunday mornings but taking up the offering - greeting some people - seeing a 17 year old standing at a door with a 45 to 60 year old - all part of ministering -and so as part of discipleship, we minister the love of Jesus.Well, I am up to chapter six and will over the next several days finish the book.