Job 38-42 (God speaks)

job

After 38 chapters of job and his friends talking, finally God speaks. And what does he say? He doesn't explain to Job why those things had happened to him, he didn't tell Job anything. All God does is remind Job and everyone else concerned who HE is. He reminds them of His character and His power.

We think we need to know all sorts of stuff. We think we need God to tell us all sorts of stuff. What we actually need is to know more of God.

After a few chapters of God reminding everyone how big He is. Job and his friends seem satisfied and humble in response. Whether being commended (Job) or rebuked (friends), the encounter with God has left them all in no doubt who'd in charge and they just do as He asks. When you encounter God, you don't feel like arguing anymore, you just do as He asks!

small churches

interesting article on church size.

"in small churches policy is decided by many, and ministry is done by a few. In large churches ministry is done by many, and policy is decided by a few."

"The smaller church by its nature gives immature, outspoken, opinionated, and broken members far more power over the whole body. Since everyone knows everyone else, when a family or small group of members express strong opposition to the direction set by the pastor and leaders, that small group’s misery can hold the whole congregation hostage. If they threaten to leave, the majority of people will urge the leaders to desist in their project. It is extremely difficult to get complete consensus from a group of 50-150 people about program and direction, especially in today’s diverse, fragmented society. Yet in smaller churches there is an unwritten rule that most everyone must be happy with any new initiative in order for it to be implement. Leaders of small churches must be brave enough to lead and to confront immature members in spite of its unpleasantness. "