The New Old Church Charter

As all things must die and become new, so too, all things may remain the same. All things may wither, yet all things may grow and improve. As the vine toughens and becomes bitter, so too does the fruit sweeten and ripen.


This is The Forgotten Charter of The Christian Church
All those who occupy themselves in the things of the church would be wise to heed its rules.


What is a church? What are the responsibilities of a church? Why does the church exist?
Who owns the church? Who runs the church? How long does the church stay open?
What does the church look like? Who works at the church? Who deserves services?
How is the church managed? What are the rules of the church? What are the consequences of breaking the rules? These are questions that have been asked repeatedly since the beginning.

A church is not the building, but the people in it. They are the Creator's Temple.

The church building's main purpose is to provide a meeting place for those who believe. They may gather to share insights and inspirations about the The Law.

The church exists because of Jesus' apostles, who were sent to the outlying regions to spread the gospel message, that Jesus had come to save us from God's condemnation because of our sins. Jesus himself preached anywhere there was room, on hilltops and in the streets.

The church should be owned by every believer in the community, a public building which can be used for many purposes, including hosting sermons, providing medical aid and safe harbor for travelers, and other community services for which Christians are known. No event is of greater importance than the last.

The church should be run by the most humble of the flock, people who live in the church and manage the day-to-day activities of the church. These people live their lives in devotion to The Lord, providing cleaning services, security, intake and emergency care.

The church should keep its doors unlocked at all hours of every day and night, in case someone should have need of God's love, hope, peace, wisdom, forgiveness, and even just shelter.

The state of repair of the church building should reflect the state of faith of the people who live in the region. If there is no faith, if The Lord is not in the church, then it should look cobwebby and broken down. The church should never display any objects of value, or have anything not bolted down that would cause regret or sadness for it to be stolen.

The church should have no employees. The church staff should consist only of volunteers. The most humble and downtrodden of whom should be willing to stay at the church at all hours. If someone thinks something should be done, they should organize it among the community.

As the parable of the good Samaritan goes, to treat your neighbor as yourself, as anyone you come across can be your neighbor, to help anyone in need. Thus, everyone is deserving of the church's services. The message of forgiveness that Christianity stands for should make it quite obvious that even convicts should be given sanctuary. The only exception to this rule is when a person breaks the primary Laws in the Bible without apology.

Church management should be a simple task if The Holy Spirit is in the church. If the church building seems too small, people should all decide together to make a plan to increase its size. Funds should not be reserved or any future activities, but rather, they should be abundant enough to fund only the most deserving activities, and no more.

The rules of the church are to spread the gospel message, uphold the Laws of the Bible, and offer care, mercy, peace, and hope to everyone in the surrounding area. The church is not required to function as an institution of the insane, or as a hiding place for evildoers. If any standards are kept for people to obey, they may not be used to turn people away, rather, services must be freely available within the church for the purpose of achieving those standards.

The church may, after much deliberation and after offering many chances, throw out any person who repeatedly breaks any of God's Laws without remorse, only if it disrupts the internal workings of the church. Don't worship other gods in the church! Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not lie. Don't keep images or symbols of things in heaven or earth, and don't worship or serve them. Avoid frequent swearing and cussing. Take the seventh day off from your duties. Do not long for things that other people own.

First Post

The shell is not hard and solid as many assume it to be. It is flexible and pliable as a rubber balloon.
It does not crack or tear, it does not hold us rigidly in place. It wraps us in a comforting warmth.
The shell is not a shell, but a stretchy, warm, gooey mess. You take comfort in its warm embrace.

When we stretch, it stretches. When we relax, it relaxes. When we struggle, it contains us still.
To leave the shell is a painful experience. It is cold, windy, and dry against your damp skin.
The remains of the shell are slippery and clingy. They invite us back to return to comfort.

Those who are enlightened know that we must eventually escape this shell of safety and peace.
How then shall we escape? How shall we emerge into the harsh and cold, from the warm laziness?
What is even out there? Should we leave this comfortable safety? Should we venture forth?

The answer is ultimately no. You probably shouldn't leave your shell. It truly is brisk outside.
You haven't fully developed. Your new skin isn't fully formed. Fear and loneliness await you!
Your eyes will open. Your ears will clear. Your hands will feel. You will become aware.

If you have decided that the answer is yes, be wary, fellow traveler, for the perils are many.
You must seek all things. You must know all things. You must be cautious and ignorant.
You must sit with those who know, and be wiser. You must hear and not believe.

Yes and no are an illusion. There are three states to choose, and a fourth to destroy you.
One is pleasant. One is kind. One is safe. One is wrong.
One is hard to find. One is easy. One is scary. One is waiting to ensnare you.

Search everywhere, but tread softly. Reveal yourself and accept others.
Find your own path in space and time, and travel it as long as you desire.
Play the games, win the games, and know that they are only games.

Do not waver, for the way back is longer than you have gone.
Commit to your choice, and be what you have become.
Do not follow a dream, lead it.
Most importantly, Be.