The Jerusalem Council

In Acts 15, we can see that an issue began to develop within the scattered church. Some men of influence were moving about, floating from church to church, and were attempting to sway local church leaders into returning to a form of legalism...into returning to the Judeistic beginnings from which Christianity had originally sprung.  Now, Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed with this potential return and as representatives of the churches in that particular region, they were sent to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about the issue.  Understand that this group of men in Jerusalem were the originals...many had known Jesus personally, others had been brought on later but only after exhibiting some serious spiritual leadership.  This was the Jerusalem Council and they were the remnant...they had outlasted the fear and persecution that had driven the inaugural church to her "Great Commission" exodus into the far reaches of the world.  So after arriving in Jerusalem, and after being warmly greeted, Paul and Barnabas began to describe what was happening.  Both sides of the issue were represented and the council of overseers and apostles separated themselves for a time of consideration and prayer.  After that time, a judgment was rendered and in unity it was decided that a letter should be taken explaining the position of the council to the churches spread throughout Judea and Asia Minor.  This letter was delivered by Paul and Barnabas as well as two members of the council.  Acts 15:30-35 describes the process in this way:

"The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.  The people (the church) read it and were glad for its encouraging message.  (The council members)...said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.  After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them (in Jerusalem)."

These men were not there to "lower the boom" on the church of Antioch...they didn't come to micromanage and control this body.  Instead, they came to support this church, answering questions and encouraging them to continue on the path.  They were supporters, strengtheners, allowing the church in Antioch to know that they were not alone and that others, even those far away in Jerusalem, were there in spirit and in sincere prayer that God's best would be seen in His church and for His glory.

As Project 160 has taken shape, one of the questions frequently asked has been why begin works as "satellite campuses" rather than autonomous bodies?  Bodies that would be free from the manipulating hands of those far off...those unfamiliar with particular uniqueness or cultural intricacies of a region?  From an urban church planting perspective, this question holds great validity.  It only makes sense to attempt to build church bodies intent on independence, prepared to reach out to an abundant population.  But when observed from a rural outlook, with small bodies separated by vast amounts of territory, one of the biggest obstacles to church development extends from the pure isolation of the region and the feelings of being "all alone" in a work, without help and without support.  The idea of the Jerusalem Council, and the role which they played in assisting, modeling, supporting, and discipling other bodies truly stands as the representation for what Calvary is trying to accomplish.  The leaders of Calvary stand less as oversight, although in the circumstance of theological dispute (as seen in Acts 15) it would be a prudent for the leaders to provide assistance; in reality the hope is for a far-reaching system of support and assistance branching out like spokes on a wheel, extending from a central hub of leadership and development.  The Jerusalem Council is the model for Project 160 and the hope that even today believers will work together for Kingdom purposes and Kingdom goals.  And as they do, the opportunity to get distracted from the mission will fade, allowing this body to grab hold of all that God has for us, and continuing to make an impact in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, and the world as a whole.