The NT Greek word for church is EKKLESIA. So what? I have been verbal about the state of the American Church in the last few years. Possibly I should have been more verbal over 20 years ago! As I read the Scriptures, the words challenge me more and more. Even more intriguing is my reading the Bible challenges my Theology. Let me explain: In 1967, at age 14 I became a Christ follower (the term we used then was born-again believer). By the time 1969 rolled around, I was involved with a large Christ-focused youth and adult camp in upstate NY. I heard for the first time about the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. I hadn't been challenged in Scriptural studies about specifics until now. I had a lot of questions. This began a life of seeking the Scriptures BUT not so much seeking the mind of the Almighty. Instead, my study took me to a support of certain doctrinal theories of others (my teachers, my profs, my pastors even my discipler). Very little of my study explored alternative thinking bu...