From today, the 6th of August 2001*, we will gather every Monday as an expression of the common life we have through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  This is a natural and necessary consequence of our faith in the Good News of Gods Kingdom. We cannot live as isolated followers of Jesus. To do that  is a contradiction or denial of the Gospel.

We have to some degree lived an not normal Christian life for some years. Normal Christian living is close involvement i daily living with other believers and followers.  Involvement only in special activities is not "church life".  Church life is sort of a total life involvement.

The step we take today is a step to become a fuller and corporate expression of reality -  of Kingdom Life - towards a fulfillment of the call and divine purpose for our life.  The central message that Jesus preached was: "The Kingdom of God is at hand!"   That implies that he this Kingdom is being realized, made real, made flesh and blood through faith in Jesus.  The Bible explain clearly that we need each other to fulfill the purposes of God in our lives. It is Gods ultimate intention to express his divine and eternal life through a body of many believers.  These are being built together to a temple. They are the very temple of God and also the New Jerusalem.  This is being made real by the love and commitment we have to one another.   To be a follower of Jesus is something collective and not only individual.  It is not only something between me and my God.  It is only when we live in the collective that we can be a true expression of God and fulfill the life we are called to.  Attending meetings and services do not make us part of this collective or common life.

On a day like this, we hear the call from Jesus in a particular way:  "Follow me, not only individually, but as a group of disciples or apprentices"

Our home, linked with other homes doing the same, will be a center of fellowship, breaking of bread and meals, prayer, praise and teaching.  Our understanding is more closely expressed in The Logic of Faith and Grace.

GATHERINGS ON MONDAYS
Normally we will finish around 9.30.   .   From a start of 3 believers we expect to grow - hopefully 10-15 with the first or second year.  And then, from the group, leaders are trained so that the group may be divided.  We do also hope that this group will be a model for new groups.  Quantified growth by numbers  is not necessarily a goal.  But multiplication is natural and is to be expected.  When we are more than one group, we might have a monthly?  gathering of both (all) groups.  But we may also agree on a monthly gathering with another fellowship (church) in our town.

LEARNING - MODELING - DOING - INVOLVEMENT
Learning is central and dominant. To begin a relationship with God is to start a lifelong apprenticeship - or as the Bible says: to become a disciple. Basically we learn from models, and we teach by being a model.  Relational learning, or learning by involvement are useful concepts. Some will also devout their life to Bible studies. Some will do that. But it is very possible to become a mature Christian without ever reading your Bible.But nobody can mature without hearing, learning and practiciing the Word of faith.  And it is also possible to know "everything" in the Bible, but be a very immature believer.  Learning that is not resulting in some practical life or virtues is without value. We learn by observing and by doing.

The "New Life - New Values" is a foundation Bible course. But we acknowledge that 10% or may be many more have difficulties in learning by reading.  We will understand this and those who find it difficult will not feel as "outsiders".  This is life and it is normal.

"MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES"
We don't practice anything that might be like what some do in business: "Management by Objectives".  That is we will not be under the strain and pressure to perform and to reach certain quantified goals by numbers or time.  The main reason is that it might divert us from our focus: The enjoyment of growing, learning and developing a true Jesus identity. Those thing may create fear, inferiority, a sense of failure and might cause disappointment.  So these very things become the greatest hindrances for growth and development.  The basics are enjoyment of our life and the laws of the Lord, responsibility and creativity.
Sure, if we live in this kind of reality, life will develop and multiply.

FOCUS
To be a growing and expanding church - which means far more than numerical growth - is necessary, imperative, to focus narrowly on the very life ,the determinant source and ultimate intention, Jesus. This Jesus being expressed in ordinary mundane and temporal life.

We are not to become a sort of psychological self-development group with focus on internal problems, or external things, endtime speculations, nationalistic preoccupation (including Israel), miraculous gifts, great preaching or ministries or other fantastic things. These things might all be  deviations and cause us not to "make it".

When that is said, our source and central attraction is the death and  resurrection of Jesus.  The consequential logic of this is the power of God manifested in our daily living.

We  hope to have a relaxed atmosphere where visitors, participants feel  welcomed, accepted and valued.

We might primarily seek to reach those who have a "fear for the Lord" - who in a way believe in Him and who prays, but has not taken the step to involve themselves with other believers or making Jesus Lord in their lives.

AN EXPANDING KINGDOM OF GOD
Together with other groups, churches, we will be involved in works to win other people the Kingdom of God in our own country and other countries. At moment we are involved in Macedonia and Serbia. It's a life-giving principle or law of the Kingdom to give. We will commit ourselves to give and we have a bank account where the members give regularly what the have decided to give. As we don't  for time being  have paid pastors nor buildings or other expensive projects, we will have " a lot" to give to the poor and to misson-work .

We will endeavor to make a foundation for evolving new leaders. The Bible describes different leadership functions - or ministries. If we try to define and describe this too much, we might loose very dynamis of these functions?   But it is important that these functions develop in an environment of mutual respect, faith and encouragement - that is in a mutual submission, faith and commitment to Jesus.  Those who are leaders, are modeling respect, humility, submission and commitment to our Lord.

Again, in this culture of the western world, we are trying to speak to what might be described as the "postmodern man". There are confusing many voices and beliefs.  We want to be a relevant expression of what people of this age and culture are seeking.  It is not something new. But what we have, we do believe will respond to the eternal longings in the heart of man.  We sincerely believe that this kind of divine life is saturating every aspect of life: Work, home,  school, leisure time and fun.

WHOLENESS .
Christian life is not meetings or what might be called spiritual activities.  The division of spiritual and worldly things might not be very Christian?  We will seek to develop a consciousness of wholeness.  Being responsible in all our activities is central to Kingdom morality. Our Christian life is not meeting, evangelizing, reading the Bible or whatever might be labeling the Christian standard. These areas not the issue or issues. It might have more to do with general faithfulness in our daily living in the home, school, at work and our relationship.  To be "a good Christian" is to "to be" in our daily living. It is "being" in reality. It is the divine and eternal "Word" made flesh - God filling all in all in any circumstance.  And the caring, responsiiblity, respect and love that we have is the ultimate expression of God and the fruit of the gospel. Activeties and programs that are a hindrance for this kind of life, we will try not to get involved in.

DRIVE OUT FEAR
Fear in relationships including in the families might be the greatest hindrance for development and growth. Consequently mutual submission and respect are foundational principles. We do understand it is a human weakness go control and to "boss", and also to be controlled. We are very clever at developing techniques for control and manipulation.  We are unbelievable inventive, and may use everything from direct violence and threats to moods and depressions.  It is one of the leaderships more important tasks, to make sure that nobody feels bossed or controlled.  Control is a destructive cancer,

ENCOURAGEMENT
To each one of us will be appointed - or you might choose - one person to be your special supporter - on who will assist you, teach and encourage you.  You will meet with this person at least once a week. The subject of this weeks teaching will be discussed, and practical issues will be dealt with.  You will probably pray together.

But more spontaneous and informal meetings during the week are foundational - may be the most important.

SPIRITUAL HOME. BELONGING - A ABSOLUTE PRIORITY
I believe that this is something close to what the Bible describe as "The church in your house".  Church in the language of today, is very different from what the first believers understood. The word make us think about a kind of structural or legal/juridacal organization with pastor or buildings.  In the Biblical understanding it is something very different.  It is organic.  It is life - it's moving by an inner force or necessity. It's a unity alive - and expression of belonging and friendship in obedience, faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our commitment to Jesus is seen in our commitment to his people - or may we say the church.

This group is our spiritual home and where we find our basic belonging to God and people. It is our "oikos".  (Oikos is greek and means home, household or something similar - but is has a wider meaning than our western understanding of "home".)  Some will call it "church".  I will try to avoid that.  The present understanding and concept is misleading or misguiding.  It's too limited, static or isolating. But this "oikos" is what the Bible calls church.

WELCOME - ALSO TO OBSERVE
You are very welcome - also as a distant observer - and even if you don't consider yourself as a believer.  Everything we do is done in the open.  There are no secrets.

We pray:  "Your will be done - your Kingdom come..."

Tore Lende

PS
I have not quoted Scripture references, but I encourage you to read the New Testament, and find out for yourself if this is in line with what is written in the Word. I have expressed our passions and thoughts around church life our from our present understanding.  As we move on I expect that there will be some changes in our understanding and how things will be formulated.

*Taking this step has not been easy. Because of difficult circumstances and limitations we don't feel "fit" for a tremendous task like that. We have to trust a reality and power beyond ourselves.