Letters to Nicolay 10

Dear Nicolay,

I understand your concern that if you give up control of your meetings there will be chaos and disorder, but be assured that the headship of Christ does not mean confusion or disorder – that is not the nature of Christ.

One of Paul’s common themes is the theme of freedom – it is a word he uses 29 times in his writing. We, in Christ, are set free from sin, Satan, the law, and our fleshy nature. This freedom is the foundation of the communities of Christians. We are free to be the people of God together – to follow, love, obey, walk with, and serve our God together.

Dear Nicolay,

I understand your concern that if you give up control of your meetings there will be chaos and disorder, but be assured that the headship of Christ does not mean confusion or disorder – that is not the nature of Christ.

One of Paul’s common themes is the theme of freedom – it is a word he uses 29 times in his writing. We, in Christ, are set free from sin, Satan, the law, and our fleshy nature. This freedom is the foundation of the communities of Christians. We are free to be the people of God together – to follow, love, obey, walk with, and serve our God together.

Paul adds: “Where the Spirit is there is freedom”…II Cor. 3:17

Yet freedom is not opposed to order although there is a tension between the two.

• Order without freedom is stifling.
• Freedom without order is chaos.

Yet, if the Spirit is to have His way, order needs to be secondary to freedom.

Nicolay, I see the need to establish practices of meeting together in such a way that allows all of the body to freely express themselves. Freedom comes when people are set free to speak, use their gifts and talents and life experiences to build one another up so Christ can and will be manifested.

Here are some practices which can act as a fencepost and provide balance between freedom and order. Practices:

• Centering on Christ till we recognize His presence.
• Prayer – many participatory forms.
• Music – many participatory forms.
• Dividing the Word – many participatory forms.
• One anothering.
• Love Feasts – Agape Meals.
• Hospitality.
• Sharing Possessions.
• Mission.
• Laying on hands.
• Consensus decision making.
• Using spiritual gifts for spiritual insights, physical and social well being, knowledge for being and doing.

Our meetings will always be a balancing act between order and freedom. If we are to err, let us err on the side of freedom.

Be a gardener who prepares the environment and the people in a way which freedom can flourish. This will not be an easy task because so many of the saints have been conditioned to be silent spectators rather then priests.

Blessings to you and Anna, my friend!

Rich Correll

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