|
NO WONDER KIDS AND ADULTS LOVE IT!
| OVERSAETTER~UEBERSETZER~~PENTERJEMAH |
 |
| TRANSLATOR~TRADUCTEUR~TRADUCTOR |
As seen elsewhere here, Ray Franz, Ronald E. Frye and others have
recommended that exiting JWs form their own house churches. They are a great option for those who leave the Watchtower
but want to keep up their spirituality as well as are other long-time established churches, ministries, support and socializing
groups.
Those who were JWs can picture house churches (also called home churches) as being like
a Book Study in a home but using the Bible itself for "the Book" that is read from. Often a Bible reading
is followed for example by a meal and some fun activities for the kids, those interested may find easy witnessing
leaflets (tracts) left on a table which they are free to purely, volunarily, that is without any pressure at all, leave
about or keep in purse or wallet to use informally.
Too, the older persons (elders) may not only chat
in happy fellowship but also make plans for helping others who are sick, poor or otherwise in need. Perhaps some also
share talents like singing or playing musical instruments, giving some kind of testimonials, a talk, a poem, whatever they
may feel moved to share for building up the group.
See, it's so easy and enjoyable. Just invite some
friendly faces to come hear and/or help with the reading a half or whole Bible chapter today and include some additional
fun. There's no need for a formal statement of beliefs (creed) as the Bible itself can be the creed as well as the
group's Teacher. The kids and adults will love it!
RAY FRANZ REGARDING HOUSE CHURCHES
Ray Franz, who resigned
from the Governing Body over Jehovah’s Witnesses, has steadfast continued as a Christian not beholden to any particular
church denomination group, but as a Christian in the one general overall faith of Christian, that is general Christianity.
He meets for worship with other like-minded Christians in house church settings near his home now in Georgia.
In his book In Search Of Christian Freedom (Second Edition 2007), Ray has said that after resigning he not only
did not associate with any particular single denomination or “some system, or even the multi-denominational religious
‘establishment’ as a whole outside the “system.” Then he goes on to say the following:
The earliest Christians initially had nothing
resembling today’s religious “establishment” or an institutionalized “system.” Not being
beholden to any particular group, frees you to show interest in all persons regardless of their beliefs or lack
of beliefs. (702)
“I believe
the first-century practice of meeting in homes for Christian association is as practicable today as
then. I don’t believe that it requires the presence of some notably knowledgeable individual or of some
‘charismatic’ type of person, to accomplish good.” God’s Son and apostles are not among us today
but Scriptures do give Christ’s words and those of the apostles. “Simply reading the Scriptures together
and discussing what they mean for us can be a source of encouragement and strength.” (703)
"There is, obviously, no mandate to meet only in homes. Nor is there
any rule limiting gatherings to relatively small groups.” Small house church groups
are good (underlined here for emphasis) not because there is a “mandate” to have them, but because of
“benefits” from “such relatively small house gatherings” as they are an “arrangement”
of family-like relationship offering a simplicity that enables focus upon spirituality in the normal course of life instead
of apart from it. (703-704)
As to baptism, it
is not for showing you have become a member of a particular group but is a confession of faith in Christ, “an appeal
to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” In the Bible baptisms were not part of
a planned program but spontaneously carried out as occasion arose. (704)
Whoever was present did the baptizing; so a man can baptize his own family members. If
you were baptized before (for example, at a Watchtower convention or assembly for JWs) you can decide for yourself if to be
baptized again. If you feel that when baptized you were giving your loyalty to God instead of any human
or organization of humans, then you may feel that you do not need to be baptized again. (704-705)
“I am convinced that the one true religion is Christianity itself, not
some religious systems claiming to represent and exemplify it.” Truth is in the Scriptures, not what humans have
interpreted or may interpret to be the truth about them. (712)
WHAT EX-JW RONALD E. FRYE WROTE
Ronald E. Frye in his book My Christian Quest (p. 201) says “I strongly urge former Jehovah’s Witnesses to seek Christian fellowship if they have not done so already.” He discusses associating with people of other beliefs in some church as a possibility but then adds:
“Many find that the less formal atmosphere of a house church works best for them. Or, you may be able
to take the initiative in this matter and find a way to create such a community. Remember that the size of the
group is not important; when or where you meet is not important. What is important is that you are engaged in serious
Bible study and discussion, sharing with one another and keep in mind that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’
name, he is there. (Matt. 18:20)"
For many years Frye was the writer of The Christian Respondent newsletter that helped
numerous Ex-JWs. According to his book he was also the person who gave a suggestion to Peter Gregerson (close
friend of Raymond Franz) which led to creation of what is now BRCI. (brci.org)
What he says sounds good except
that he forgets that in particular for younger ones, Bible reading get-togethers need to be a lot of fun, too. That's
what fellowshipping is about. A Pew Forum survey showed 63% persons raised as JWs quit the religion. At
that, the percentage of those quitting JWs may be far higher among the upcoming generation of JWs. In anecdotal
private descriptions by young people coming from JW homes they often describe their parents' religion with adjectives
ranging from crazy to boring to unliveable. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/743/united-states-religion
So, the real truth of the matter is that Christian gatherings to replace such an out-of-touch organization need
to be reasonable, well-balanced, interesting, liveable and fun. House-church groups are an excellent
option. Younger persons can help form such groups as easy as inviting friendly faces for a Bible reading with simple
meal, and in years to come some of their parents may also exit Watchtower and meet up with them in new fellowship.