THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH

I read about ‘The Unplanned Church’ recently and how a Brazilian congregation finds renewal by interruption. Claudio Oliver, founding pastor has led his church in a series of radical steps toward a more faithful Christian life. His community, Casa da Videira (“House of the Vine”), is a collective of families in Curitiba, Brazil, dedicated to “following the steps of Jesus.” Their work in organic gardening, waste management, and fair trade is inspired by Jesus, and the first Christians.

Claudio Oliver said, “When people say that we need to be like the ‘primitive church.’ I usually ask, “Which one?” Carnal like the Corinthians, foolish like the Galatians, lazy like Thessalonians, legalistic like Jerusalem, or lukewarm like the Laodiceans? Nostalgia is a dangerous path when we start thinking about the reformation we need now. Idealizing the church’s ‘good old times’ makes us forget that time erases bad memories and creates fantasies. The early church survived by keeping its eyes on the promise and living by hope… and we can do the same today. We have been promised to live with the Lord, see him face to face, and live in freedom and joy.”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Jesus