From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 

and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, 

to Apphia our sister, 

to Archippus our fellow soldier, 

and to the church that meets in your house.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! 

Philemon 1-3 NET

All the old hierarchies and religious structures have gone.

Paul, Tim, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, a house church.

Women and men in leadership, a church community that meets in a house, "we're all in this together" feel to Paul & Tim's letter. 

I've been going to the same church for 50 years, but it doesn't look or operate the same way. Every once in a while it can be helpful to ask if our structures, churches, ways of doing things have got a bit stuck, are there hierarchies or power structures that just need dismantling and putting aside.

And it's the same in us as in the church. Where am I relying on a tradition and missing Jesus?

What are my biases about people?

Is there a "church" that meets at my house? 

Can where I live be more of a place of thanksgiving, prayer, worship, learning, giving, grace, shalom, life-giving, hope-restoring love, a place where Paul & Tim might notice as a church, a refuge, a solace, a place of living water and life giving bread.

The church Paul and Tim saw when writing this letter wasn't a building, it was people. 

#Philemon 

#identity 

#connectedtoJesus

#graceandpeacetoyou

#wearethechurch