Maybe it's time for me to put some cards on the table.  I tend to avoid conflict simply because we each have enough conflict in our "real" lives, so who needs more here, right?  But ... I can't always avoid conflict. 

By way of background, I do not call myself a "christian" simply because along with that connotation comes a whole set of expectations that are, in my opinion, unrealistic and incorrect ... but that's another story.  In general, my beliefs line up with those of other believers here at Mindsay.  The places where we differ have more to do with the "church" than with the actual beliefs. 

I want to make a rather radical (in some sense) observation and see where it goes.  As I read the New Testament, regardless of which translation, there are some places where today's Church differs from the early church. 

• "Preaching" was done to the unsaved, the secular, world, not fellow believers, and it was for the purpose of conversion.  Today, the vast majority of "preaching" is within church walls to members and supposed believers.  Why?  This practice is both harmful to the church, as evidenced by a huge number of believers who cannot "feed" themselves, and deprives those outside the walls the opportunity to hear the "word" fittly spoken.

• Teaching is a separate issue.  I do not see much evidence of teaching within the early church except the twelve at Jesus' feet.  Believers were responsible for their own growth, and today we have the additional aid of the written word.  So many Christians today have a vague understanding of the gospel, but are content to be spoonfed by those who claim to know better. 

• The "assembling" together of believers, as I see it in the  Biblical context, was primarily social, which is precisely what it's main function is today, though many may disagree.  There is nothing wrong with social fellowship of like-minded people.  Friends are a necessary part of this life, and if you think about it, healthy friendship is built upon a mutual give and take.  This is how Christian fellowship works.  Needs are taken care of and prayed for, the grieving and wounded are embraced and encouraged, the "older" give of their wisdom and faith to the "younger", etc.  This is separate, however, from those occasions when we present "Jesus" to those outside the faith. 

Some may argue that this is just semantics, but ... it represents a part of a great compromise that has occurred over the centuries to make Christianity more palatable.  Jesus was/is a radical person with ideas that are contrary our nature, so with the slightest misunderstanding, we opt for the more comfortable way.  All this to say I see a trend beginning within the Church back toward the New Testament Church we read about in the book of Acts.