Bulls, Lambs & Turtledoves

‘...an aroma pleasing to the Lord’ (Lev 1:9,13,17)

 The Brethren Communion Service in its ‘traditional’ format, i.e. led by members, open and spontaneous - is one of the hallmarks of a church like Greenview. It draws its ethos from NT texts such as ‘When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation’ (1 Cor 14:26) and ‘Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God’ (Col 3:16).

In many ways the Brethren’s (19th Century) re-invention of this format was ahead of its time – seemingly traditional and basic, and yet this simple, stripped down time of worship is exactly what so many seem to crave at the beginning of the 21^st Century. The Emergent kick-back against shiny, professionalised, slick evangelical services and the expansion of cell & house churches – has been, in part, a desire for such an authentic and organic church experience.  

It is a service that provides a real opportunity for real (ordinary) people to contribute, to share and to encourage each other in worship. In many ways the (re)introduction of this type of service by the Brethren was radical and risky – no controls, no clergy-lock on what could be said, just trusting that ordinary Christians could have something spiritual, edifying and tangible to bring on a Sunday morning.

But what to bring? Bring what’s on your heart! Sounds a bit pietistic (even cheesy)?  But remember it’s your heart the Lord is looking at whatever you bring. The externals are always secondary to God – the ‘widow’s mite’ will always be esteemed above throw-away largess. Equally, of course, scraps thrown from banqueting tables will be seen for what they are.

For some, scholarly and acquainted with the deep things of God’s Word, their offering will be an 'Ox' – substantial, weighty, developed, enough for some to nibble and others to chew. But brought by those with such a gift to share – it is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Others, bring a lamb or a goat – more digestible, more common and readily given – but an expression of the gifts and blessings they have received from the Lord. Others bring their turtle doves – small and quickly offered – but just as precious to the Lord when given at heartfelt cost.

So whether you bring deep expositions from Isaiah, reminders of things familiar from the Gospels, or a two sentence prayer – bring it – if it’s on your heart.   Bring that which reflects you, your faith, your experience, your blessings, your circumstances – and together the worship of all God’s people will be ‘an aroma pleasing to the Lord’.