This church could be described as “non-conformist”. We are not traditional and things like “Jesus Army” make us stand out from the main stream have provoked a lot of opinion/rejection from other churches.
This church is also non-conformist to the standards of the world we live in. Covenant, Loyalty, Community, Simplicity, Celibacy, Godly Marriage. All these things are opposite to the lack of commitment, the consumerism, the greed, the loose morals around us.
I love opposing the standards of the world. I am a non-conformist. I love it when the standards I live to are baffling to the people I talk to. I love it when something comes up that proves to me how different we are.
But within that I do not go blindly along with the flow. I am not a “brain-washed clone”. I know what I believe and I answer to God for my choices. I feel I have been called by God to this church 'cos this is the people I can see are honestly trying to live out what Jesus said. If this church was to lose the plot, then I would not be obliged to stay.
I think we have to be very careful not to adopt a “corporate conscience”. To behave like animals in a herd or a pack and not consider our individual actions.
True, we need to be obedient to leaders and pay attention to the prophetic word. When there are activities that ask for our support it is good to give support.
Also, God more often speaks to us through people around us than by bolts of lightening, so we do need to listen to advice and consider “the witness of the brethren”
Opinions and attitudes and defending our own corner does not build the body of Christ. There is a right measure of putting our self aside for the common good. You might call it “taking up your cross” or “dying to yourself” or “the thorn in your flesh”.
BUT if we don't know what we think, if we don't stop to check our own spirit or conscience then we are on thin ice.
Firstly, if you have made commitments or choices based on what everyone else was doing at the time you will at some point struggle in those choices and without a firm foundation will flounder. It is knowing that God has called me that has kept me strong. As some people say “I know that I know that I know”.
The other thing is... and this has probably been said by opponents of the church... when a large group move in corporate conscience all sorts of crazy things start to happen 'cos people stop asking questions. That's how come you get suicide cults, that's how come atrocities happen. Of course I don't think this church is in danger of such things happening, but I hope you get what I mean.
The golden rule of course is always to check “How does this measure up to what I read in the Bible?” and “How does this match with what I already know about God?”
If we are familiar with what is in the Bible, and if we are in touch with God through prayer or worship then we won't easily go off on a tangent. Sometimes God leads us a way we have never gone before. It's good to check this out, just to be sure it is a “leap of faith” rather than “a leap into the dark”.
Unity of vision and purpose is good.
Conformity is something I would be wary of.
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