You Got to Take it Higher- Benefits of Increasing Your Metabolism

By James Penn Did you know that the key to a successful weight loss is by mellowing down your metabolism? Metabolism is the process of burning calories in your body which happens naturally even if you are not exerting any effort- yes including when you are sleeping. Metabolism, if increased, would result in taking much fluid thus weight loss would happen gradually. The recommended weight loss of 1 2 pounds per week is really possible... By increasing the metabolism you are giving the body a need to have more amount of protein. As we all know, exercise could increase metabolism but the point is that an individual must do an exercise that is suitable and effective for his or her body type. Increasing the metabolism must come before trimming down on calories. A permanent weight loss may be achieved through increasing metabolism and this process provides different benefits. This would give you more time to do whatever you want because you do not need too much exercise- this would allow you to enjoy other activities. Moreover, you do not have to force your self to do tough exercises. Unlike other diets that hold promises of remedies when actually you just end up disappointed, increasing your metabolism will give you better long-term results and will not give you bigger possibilities of gaining weight again. You do not have to ignore the favorite food and you need not spend so much time just preparing non-fat meals. Of course, you could stop spending too much just for this non-fat food and the like. These benefits are very simple but these are very important especially for the well-being of an individual. When we exert effort and work hard on our objectives like losing weight, impossible will not even be a fact at all. These benefits are just some of the many increasing your metabolism could offer- so what are you waiting for? Download your free report entitled "Powerful Weight Loss Strategies" and discover how to lose weight naturally and easily. Also, be sure to download your bonus free report and discover how to get six pack abs quickly and easily. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Penn http://EzineArticles.com/?You-Got-to-Take-it-Higher--Benefits-of-Increasing-Your-Metabolism&id=481798 order xanax online consultation
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Don't Just Melt Fat Off - Burn It Off With A Blow Torch!

By Chris Guerriero Cardio Exercise... A huge variety of fitness activities provide cardiovascular benefits. If you're breathing hard and can feel your heart beating, you're doing cardio. Because walking is fun, easy, and requires little time and no financial investment, it's our top choice for cardiovascular activity. Walking uses your body's largest muscle group, your legs. Because it's rhythmic (you repeat the same basic movements), and it's aerobic (you take in and use more oxygen than usual), when walking is sustained for more than several minutes at a time it provides fantastic cardiovascular benefits - including weight loss - and can be quickly and easily implemented into your daily routine. Walking at a moderate pace for about 30-60 minutes burns stored fat, and can build muscle to help speed up your metabolism, burning fat even while you sleep! So, let's start moving... First, wake up your muscles by walking at a warm-up pace for five minutes, signaling to your muscles that they can't just sit back and burn up the available sugars, they need to tap into your fat reserves. This means not starting your daily walk at a high speed. On the contrary, a low-intensity or low-speed start signals your muscles that you are engaging in a long-term activity, prompting the burning of stored fat, and not just sugar burning. After five minutes, pick up the pace. The speed to walk at for optimal fat burning is a "determined" pace, at which rate you should be breathing noticeably harder, but still able to carry on a conversation in full sentences. By doing this, you raise your heart rate to about 70% of your maximum heart rate, which acts as a
catalyst for burning stored fat. Try walking as though you're 15 minutes late for an important appointment. Now, start with walking at this pace for 30 minutes each day. For optimal weight loss, walk at least 5 days of the week, with weekly time spent walking eventually reaching 5 or more hours each week. Use the following "cheat sheet" to help implement a quick and easy walking program into your daily routine: Start with a few gentle stretches Begin walking at an easy pace for five minutes Walk 30-60 minutes at about 70% of your maximum heart rate Cool down at a slower pace for 5 minutes Finish with a few gentle stretches For longer walks, walk 60 minutes at your target heart rate, and slow down a bit to complete 90 or 120 minutes at a comfortable pace Walking an hour a day is also associated with drastically decreasing your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke. Find time to work one-hour walks into your life. It's well worth waking up an hour early to do so. After all, aren't you worth it? When you feel you can comfortably walk an hour on a single day each week, try the following weekly schedule for increased weight loss and added health benefits, alternating the days to fit your personal weekly schedule: Sunday: Long Day, 90+ minutes Monday: Day Off Tuesday: Short Day, 30+ minutes Wednesday: Short Day, 30+ minutes Thursday: Long Day, 90+ minutes Friday: Short Day, 30+ minutes Saturday: Long Day, 60+ minutes On all days, remember to start with some light stretches. Start walking slow for 5 minutes. Walk at your "determined" pace of 70% of your maximum heart rate for the time specified, concluding with an easy pace for five minutes. Always finish with gentle stretching. Lastly, when walking for weight loss, you should take no more than one to two days off each week. Keep up the water intake and your new 'fat loss' walking program - I'll see you in 7 days to check in on your progress and to give you the second Secret in our Health & Fitness Tactics Course. For a ton of f.ree, valuable tips, tricks, and secrets visit: http://www.MaximizeYourMetabolism.com 2002-2005 Wisdom Books, LLC & Christopher Guerriero WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Christopher Guerriero, is the founder of the National Metabolic & Longevity Research Center and a best-selling author, speaker, and coach to millions. He is creator of the award-winning 'Maximize Your Metabolism' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for FR*EE how-to articles and F.REE teleseminars, visit http://www.MaximizeYourMetabolism.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Guerriero http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Just-Melt-Fat-Off---Burn-It-Off-With-A-Blow-Torch!&id=6862 order xanax overnight
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A New World Record Bass

By Charles White Many people go to Florida to fish for that trophy bass but did you know that 4 other states have a bigger state record than Florida? Not only that but one of the states is said to have produced a new world record.
Florida's record bass is 17.27 pounds, but others often cite an uncertified fish of 20.125 pounds (a fisheries biologist did not physically see the fish to certify it). Leaha Trew supposely caught a new world record largemouth in California. It weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces, beating George Perry's 1932 record catch by 4 ounces. The problem is there was only one picture taken of it and it wasn't certified by a biologist or a California state fish and game offical. Where is the next world record coming from? Florida, Georgia, Mississippi or Texas? More than likely it will be from California. Gregg Silks has already caught 2 bass over twenty pounds and says he has lost a world record fish of 24 pounds. Who is to argue with him since he knows what 20 pound plus bass look like? 22 of 25 of the largest bass ever recorded has come from California. The next world record bass in my opinion, is going to be from the lakes of San Diego water system. Just look at the stats: Dixon: 21 pounds 11 ounce bass Jennings: 18 pounds plus Murray: 18 pounds plus Poway: 18 pound 2 ounce These are just a few of the lakes, all the lakes holds monster bass. Not only that, there are big bass all over California, Leaha Trew caught her bass in Sonoma County. While I am not taking anything away from Florida, as I have lived there and seen many 10 pound plus bass taken from there, California is growing bigger bass and people are catching them.
Just check with the water district before you plan a trip as some have restrictions and are closed at certain times. Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office. Charles has fished with people who have never fished for bass before and taught them how to become successful anglers and also has fished with the Pros in Florida. His website about fishing for bass is at:
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Learn Why She Won't Go Out With You

By Caterina Christakos Women are unpredictable by nature. Let's say that you meet a girl that always smiles at you, always seems happy to see you, has told all her friends about you, but for some reason beyond your power of understanding she just wont go out with you on a date. If this scenario sounds familiar then you may feel this woman is giving you mixed signals. The problem is: how do you manage the situation? Believe it or not, women know what they want most of the time. You all just have never been taught the mind reading techniques that we expect you to have. Here are some possible reasons she wont go out with you: 1) You are her best friend and she doesnt want to ruin the friendship with a relationship that may not work out. Women analyze relationships to death. A good male friend is worth his weight in gold. We dont want to lose a fantastic friendship for just another possible relationship. 2) She may think you are the greatest thing since sliced bread but you are not her usual type of guy. Some women love hanging out with nice guys but for some indefinable reason prefer bad boys when they date. 3) A friend of hers really likes you so you are therefore off limits. 4) Many women today have other priorities that are taking first place before relationships. If she is working her way to the top she may not have the time to devote to a relationship. 5) She may really like you but really needs you to make the first move. Therefore her unique conservation instinct will tell her NOT to date you, while her heart will make her still show interest towards you. What should you do when something like this happens? 1. Forget all about her for a while and start dating other girls. You will suddenly become a lot more interesting in her eyes because you will appear less available and therefore she will begin to wonder about what she might be missing out on. 2. Try to find out more about her feelings towards you from her friends, while talking about her at the same time. This way there will be an exchange of information and she will learn what you really feel from people she can trust. Yes, it sounds very highschool but if you do it in a subtle way it can be effective. 3. By this time it would be a good idea to try asking her out again. Before doing this plan, everything in such a way that it will surprise her and pull her out of her routines. If you suffer another rejection... it's time to move on and forget all about her. Caterina Christakos is a dating coach and author. For your free seduction course go to: http://www.what-women-want.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caterina_Christakos http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-Why-She-Wont-Go-Out-With-You&id=69825 no prescription xanax online
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A Butterfly Release; Alternatives to Throwing Rice

By Jodi Hopper Brides are looking for different ways to make their wedding different and unique. The releasing of butterflies is starting to become a very popular alternative to throwing rice. They are environmentally friendly and beautiful also. As the butterflies fly around and even land on guests, you will see the delight and excitement on their faces. They will leave talking about the release and some may even be walking out with a butterfly on their shoulder. When ordering butterflies, you want to make sure that they come from a reputable butterfly farmer. You do not want to try to save money and order grow your own butterfly kits. There are many things that can go wrong and you dont want to be disappointed on your wedding day. The butterflies can either be released individually or as a mass release. You may want to consider the event to decide what type of release to do. You can order enough butterflies to hand out to all of the guests, you can just have the wedding party do a release, or the bride and groom can do a mass release. When doing a mass release, three to four dozen make a nice release. You can do more or even less, depending on the impression that you would like to make. The individual release envelopes are a triangular shaped envelope. Different farmers offer different options. Some use origami envelopes; others use a card stock type. Some will offer to have names and dates written on the envelopes free of charge and others will charge a small fee. The mass release box comes in many different sizes, shapes and decorations. You can opt to make your own or buy one from where you purchase your butterflies. They can range from a plain basket with netting wrapped around it, that you make yourself, to the more extravagant box decorated in satin and flowers. You can talk this over with whomever you purchase your butterflies from. They will be able to advise you on the best effect that you would like to achieve. You do have to remember that the butterflies can not be released in the rain or in temperatures below 65 degrees, depending on the type of butterfly that you purchase. In the event of rain, you can use a hanging cage that you can place your butterflies in and hang them at your reception. Where you purchase your butterflies will be able to help you out with what would be the best thing to do and ideas on what to do. As you can see, you have many options and ideas that you can do with a butterfly release. They will add that unique and elegant touch to your wedding, but beware, they just might steal the show. www.wishuponabutterfly.com Jodi Hopper is the owner and operator of Wish Upon A Butterfly. Jodi Hopper raises butterflies for release at weddings, parties, anniversaries, and other types of events or celebrations. Jodi specializes in raising quality Monarchs and Painted Ladies for releases. The butterfly farm is open for tours in the summer. She is also carries the Butterfly Wish Bouquet along with a line of terrariums for butterfly displays. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jodi_Hopper http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Butterfly-Release;-Alternatives-to-Throwing-Rice&id=18041 where can i purchase xanax
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Small Business Marketing - How Much Follow Up Is Enough?

By Debbie LaChusa One of my clients recently asked me the following question... "So I have the new prospects and I send them 'Good to meet you' cards. In three months I send them another card ... then what? How do I develop and build relationships with busy interior designers so they'll think of me for decorative painting? Building Relationships Takes Dedication and Frequency In marketing, it's all about frequency. Sending out a "good to meet you card" is great, but waiting three months is way too long. By that time, your prospect has probably already forgotten about you. The 3-10x Rule Did you know that you need to hit your prospects at least 3 to 10 times in order to get their attention and move them to action? Maybe even more. So, it's crucial that you set up a marketing system that allows you to repeatedly follow-up with your prospects at least this many times. There's a reason when someone subscribes to my email list that they receive three email messages within the first 7 days. And, there's a reason I take the time to write and distribute this Ezine every single week. It's because I know that even if my subscribers don't read every issue, I am reminding them every single week that I am here, sharing valuable information and letting them know I am available to help them with their marketing, if they are ready for some help. You Must Provide Value In my experience, the best way to build relationships is by providing value. While sending the occasional postcard or promotional letter may serve to remind your prospects about your product or service, it won't do much to build a relationship with them. You must provide them with valuable information. Maybe my subscriber who wrote in with the question about following up could send out weekly, biweekly or monthly tips on decorating. Maybe it's a quick painting or color tip or trend. Or, maybe it's educational information about decorative painting. Your Prospects Buy When They're Ready, Not When You Are It is important to remember that just because you are ready to sell your product or service, does not mean your prospect is ready to buy it. They'll buy when THEY are ready or have an imminent need for what you are offering. Until that time, your job is to provide value, educate them and remind them you are there and available whenever they are ready. Don't Worry About Being A Pest If you are providing value, you really don't have to worry about following up too often. If however, you are only following up to ask for the sale, you'll become a pest relatively quickly. And regardless, you will lose some prospects along the way. People will no longer be interested in what you offer or they may not want to hear from you. But consider this ... if they don't want to hear from you, odds are they weren't going to buy from you either. If they ask to be removed from your list, they're just helping you out by improving the quality of your list. So don't take it personally. Remember it's just business. It Takes Time ... Sometimes a LONG Time I have had people on my list for over a year before they decide to purchase anything. And, I know that some people on my list may never make a purchase. That's why having an automated way to follow up (like a weekly Ezine) is so important. Because it doesn't take any more effort on my part to follow up with 10 people or 10,000 people. Your Marketing Step Take a look at your follow-up system this week. How often are you following up with your prospects? Do you have a system that ensures they hear from you repeatedly? Is that system automated? Are you providing value? Make sure you are not stopping after one, two or even three contacts. Create a long-term follow-up system that provides lots of value to your prospects and start building relationships for the long haul. It may take some time to "prime the pump" as they say, but before long this process will start delivering paying clients to you on a consistent basis. Debbie LaChusa created
The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Learn more about this unique, step-by-step system and get a free
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And Now, the Great Wineskin Awakening

By Michael Tummillo There's one method of Christian fellowship that, although quite common in some corners of the Vineyard, is quite foreign in others. Let's talk about House Church! Though quite a few American churches are willing to establish "cell groups" or "home groups," for the most part, the typical church tends to include these gatherings merely as some sort of "bolt-on program" to what most perceive as the REAL church. As with any other program of the church, members can choose to attend or ignore this one, too. With us being as busy as we are, the majority of church-attenders will choose to ignore their church's "home group" ministry and focus their attention on what they see as the REAL ministry that takes place on Sunday morning, maybe Wednesday night and, occasionally, Sunday nights. If you will, look for a moment at Acts Chapter 16 along with my thought-provoking comments: TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL AND SILAS 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. COMMENT: Churches? Who was going around building these buildings? Did they have pastors, secretaries, janitors, steeples, padded pews, a children's ministry? A playground? Did Paul and his companions stick around and "pastor" these churches? Of course not! Paul has Vision of the Man of Macedonia. Read this: Lydia's Conversion in Philippi
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. COMMENT: What...no synagogues in the area? No temples? No "churches" on every street corner? Where else would they possibly go to pray? Having failed at their attempt to find a "place" to pray, they stopped to chat with some ladies. WHAT?!! C'mon guys, stay focused! Let me get this straight...God wouldn't allow you to preach in Asia or Mysia but He WILL let you talk to the ladies down by the river... this is WAY too unorthodox! 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.
15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. COMMENT: Was there a "Sinner's Prayer"? A "Four Spiritual Laws"? A "Roman Road"? Any kind of profession of faith? Did they not have a "Salvation System" in place? No, the Scripture merely says "the Lord opened her heart." How did they know THAT? Where was Lydia's husband during all this? Was she a single woman inviting these men over to her house? What ever happened to "avoiding the appearance of evil"? What were Paul and his posse thinking? Most importantly...where did Lydia and her household go to continue their discipleship process? Church? Sunday school? Did they watch TBN or listen to Pastor Michael's "Your Town for Jesus" broadcast on radio or listen to tapes or read eMail's? Beginning with verse 16, Paul casts a demon out of a slave girl who was earning money for her owners. They make a fuss and Paul and Silas wind up in jail. The pair were singing hymns to God when an earthquake struck and shook the jail, opening its gates and lossening all the chains on the prisoners. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be savedyou and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in Godhe and his whole family. COMMENT: Then what? How did the jailer and HIS household continue to grow in their faith? Did they read Bibles? there were none. Did they go to conferences or seminars? There were none. Did the jailer attend a seminary? There were none. They were eventually released. Now, get ready for this! 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left. COMMENT: O.K.! Back to Lydia's place...at least for awhile. THEN, they left! Again, who continued the discipleship process for Lydia and family? Where did they attend "Church." BIBLICAL MEETINGS IN THE HOME Today, when most of us refer to "the church," our tendency is to refer to the church building, what goes on there, or our particular denomination. In New Testament Scripture, it's apparent that erecting and maintaining a building, hiring a ministerial, clerical and janitorial staff was simply NOT on anybody's to-do list. When they DID pool their monetary resources, they were soon involved in expending all available funds in the service of widows and orphans. Charity was not an incidental, fractional portion of the budget. No, caring for the needs of widows and orphans WAS the budget. No buildings, no church staff, no paid preacher. Take a look: Romans 16:5 ("Likewise greet the church that is in their house") 1 Corinthians 16:19 ("The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.") Colossians 4:15 ("Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.") Philemon verse 2, ("...to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home."). Based on a regular series of national surveys conducted by his company, the Barna Research Group, during the past 25 years, George Barna discovered that discontent with congregational churches, changes in lifestyles, and even a desire to get closer to God, have caused many people to seek new ways of being in relationship with God and other God-seeking people. In 2000, most of the nations organized religious activity took place at or through local churches. Barnas research reveals that, today, the action is shifting to different forms of corporate religious commitment. Different, yes, but by no means are they new. Barna found that, in a typical week, 9% of all American adults participate in a house church. An even greater proportion 22% - engages in spiritual encounters that take place in the marketplace (e.g., with groups of people while they are at their place of work or play, or in other typical daily contexts). Even the Internet serves as the foundation for interactive faith experiences for more than one out of every ten adults, usually in tandem with other forms of religious group experiences. Jon Zens, editor of the quarterly publication, "Searching Together," and an advocate of New Testament church life being lived-out today, has observed a growing exodus of people from institutional churches across America. "I see three basic phenomena as to why people are exiting the institutional church," he explains. "After years of starving in the institutional church, they leave to find New Testament realities. People study their Bibles and come to perceive a huge chasm between the New Testament and the traditional church and often they leave after the institutional church disregards their pleas for change." GOING TO vs BEING THE CHURCH The New Testament writers referred to the PEOPLE of God as God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22), God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), God's house (1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 3:6, 10:21, 1 Peter 2:17), God's household (Ephesians 2:19, Galatians 6:10) and Christ's body (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 3:6, 5:23, 30). Though most Christians - even ministers - would say 'Amen" to that, such a response is generally little more than mere lip service. I can recall an "emergency meeting" years ago when I was on-staff at a huge metropolitan church. The elders got wind of an associate pastor who had held a meeting at his home and, without him being present, ordered a meeting of the entire staff, from deacons to janitors - some 35 strong - to call their friends and "warn" them about the associate pastor's "evil" actions. I spoke up, unable to contain myself any longer amidst the accusations and escalating concerns. "We can all see the call of God on this couple's lives to lead people. Why can't we simply bless them and move on...or is this fear-motivated...is this all about losing tithers?" Needless to say, no one spoke to me again after that and I was asked to step down within two days. I immediately joined the ranks of the former associate pastor as HIS associate pastor. Did Christians in the New Testament GO to church. No, the thought never entered their minds. They WERE the church! They understood that they WERE God's dwelling place. They were His temple! As Howard Snyder writes in "The Problem of Wineskins Today," "A church building cannot properly be "the Lord's house" because, in the new covenant, this title is reserved for the church as people. So, if church buildings have any justification, it can only be practical; simply a place to meet and carry on essential functions, as necessary." The Book of Acts is STILL being written, my friends. RUNNING THE CHURCH LIKE A BUSINESS What we in the West typically refer to as "The Church" is taking its toll on the people we hire to run these organizations. Zens said, "Divorce, suicide, nervous breakdown, burnout, etc. abound among clergy. The average pastorate in the Southern Baptist Convention is under 18 months. The high-pressure altar call tactics have proven to produce "converts" that rarely last. Even with all the empirical evidence that many things are amuck in the traditional model, the real issue is 'what does the New Testament teach?' If any model contradicts or stifles the New Testament pattern, it should be jettisoned for such reasons alone. The early church had no clergy and no sacred buildings, and in this regard was radically different from all other religions, including Judaism. The proliferation of expensive church buildings constitutes a fundamental compromise of what Christ intended to build. Thus, believers gathering in informal settings [in] homes, rented store-fronts, outdoors and apartments apparently provides the best context for the 58 "one anothers" [in the Bible] to be fleshed out." In his article entitled "Four Tragic Shifts in the Visible Church, 180-400 A.D.," Zens writes. " I think the primary theological point of the New Testament in this regard is that under the New Covenant there are no holy places. Contemporary Christianity has almost no grasp of this significant point. Taking a cue from the Old Covenant, people are still lead to believe that a church building is 'the house of God.' Believers are free to meet any place in which they can foster, cultivate and attain the goals set before them by Christ. The problem today is that many church structures neither promote nor accomplish Christ's desires for His body. Homes are a neutral place for believers to meet, and the early church flourished well into the first and second centuries without erecting any temple-like edifices. But the issue is still not in what type of place believers gather, but what shape their committed life together takes as they wrestle with the many duties and privileges flowing out of the priesthood of all believers." Christian Smith, writing in the journal "Voices In The Wilderness," adds, "God intends church to be a community of believers in which each member contributes their special gift, talent, or ability to the whole, so that, through the active participation and contribution of all, the needs of the community are met. In other words, what we ought to see in our churches is 'the ministry of the people,' not 'the ministry of the professional.' The role of the clergy is essentially the centralization and professionalization of the gifts of the whole body into one person. The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers." THE CORPORATE PYRAMID IN THE CHURCH Passive laity? Pew potatoes? Their existence is borne out in such passages as Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12, and in 1 Corinthians 14:26, the latter stating: "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." Ministry in the New Testament church was not centered on one individual, but involved each member of the "ekklesia" (that's you and me, "the called out ones") as a functioning "priest" (1 Peter 2: 5, 9) under the headship of Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit exercising his/her gift for the mutual strengthening of the body. The New Testament refers to no spiritual hierarchy, but calls all Believers 'saints.' Neither does it recognize a special priesthood in distinction from the people, as mediating between God and the laity. Clearly, there is only one high-Priest, Jesus Christ, and the New Testament clearly designates a universal royal priesthood, as well as universal kingship of believers (1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). So, what are we afraid of? Most Christians react more out of fear and a sense of loyalty to tradition than a commitment to Biblical truth as they poo-poo any such notions as being nearly heretical. Craig S. Keener points out in "The IVP Bible Background Commentary-New Testament," "Believers met in homes rather than church buildings for the first three centuries of the church." This eventually changed in 312 AD when the Emperor Constantine was dubbed Pontifex Maximus, head of all things spiritual, including paganism and Christianity simultaneously. When he made institutional Christianity the state religion in Rome, he converted pagan temples into Christian "churches" and used state funds to support the clergy making ministry another elite "job" to which many would aspire. In this atmosphere, politics reared its ugly head in a supposedly Christian context as wealthy people would lobby to get "junior" a coveted post in the church world. Howard Snyder, in his book "Radical Renewal: The Problem of Wineskins Today," writes, "A Biblical conception of the church will make it clear that the church is essential to the gospel, for it is the body of Christ...At the same time, it will be clear that human institutions and structures are not themselves the church; they are not hallowed. These are days when Christians must be clear about what the church is and what it is not. Just as many false Christs will come in the last days, so many counterfeit and apostate "churches" will litter the spiritual landscape. The church must be prepared, both as persons and as the Christian community, for the lash of persecution and the lure of the antichrist. This means the necessity for doctrinal clarity and authentic community - for both orthodoxy of belief and orthodoxy of community. Under the threat of persecution, life in community becomes both more difficult and more essential. Thus the priorities of structures which are flexible, mobile, inconspicuous, and not building-centered." A THING OF THE PAST RESURRECTED What we are so committed to here in the Western Church is simply not working. That should be our first clue. Anyone can read the facts regarding the church: Most modern conversions are in third-world nations. Our churches close at a rate of 3800 annually. Eighty percent of what we refer to as "church growth" is little more than "transfer growth" as people leave one organization for another like we change political parties, sports teams and spouses. 53,000 Christians are walking out weekly, many claiming they had to leave the traditional church in order to find God. Is this "house Church" thing just a fad? No, it's been around a long time. A significant home church movement began in Australia in 1968. For decades, home meetings have been the norm in China, Latin America and other places. If persecution erupted in America, the house church model could suddenly be very common, as churches that require immense weekly overhead to operate could fold virtually overnight. It will take a catastrophic event to awaken the church to what is important in the Kingdom. The Church flourishes under persecution. When that happens, the shape of believers' lives together will change rapidly. Zens writes, "As long as our affluence continues, the informal approach to church will remain. But whether something is minority or majority is hardly the issue. Our concern must be, 'how will we follow Christ in all areas of our lives? Are we going to obey the New Testament or not? One brother in our assembly has said, 'our way of doing church is not popular. It requires hard work and commitment.' The home church movement, of course, is not monolithic," Zen's pointed out. "... no movement will prosper long if it does not center on exalting Jesus Christ and obeying His Word." Although it goes by many names (e.g. house church, simple church, open church, organic church, etc.), it is simply a group of people getting together with Christ as their center, and the Bible as the ultimate authority. These groups can gather anywhere--homes, workplaces, coffee shops, anywhere that people naturally gather! "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am, in the midst of them," Jesus said. PERSONAL HOUSE CHURCH EXPERIENCES I have never seen the depth of intimacy between friends, the transparency, the lives that have been so radically changed, in traditional churches in the way that I have seen it in home groups with which I've been associated the past 15 years. In one home group, once the word got out that miracles were happening there, it was not uncommon for visitors to drop by, pen and paper in hand, taking notes in order to examine what it was we were doing differently. Quite simply, we regularly experienced the power of God's presence resulting from unconditional love and unity. Cancers healed, leukemia gone, demons cast out of people and animals, a young man removed from life support now feeding himself, talking and walking, regular manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit as well as an unconditional acceptance and permission to "mess up...," this describes my experiences with house church groups; Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Pentecostals meeting together, accepting one another and allowing the Holy Spirit to show up freely and with power. So, don't be afraid to think outside the edifice. God will meet you there. Right now, across the globe, millions of committed born again Christians are choosing to advance their relationship with God by finding avenues of growth and service apart from a local church. And it's O.K. So much more than O.K.! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael's mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since 1999, he has broadcast nearly six hundred inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects that will interest the thinking Christian, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God's people. He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are reaching millions around the globe WEEKLY. Write team1min@aol.com if you'd like to SUBSCRIBE. A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is also a Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network and may be available to speak to your church or Christian group. 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