Synagogue = Missionfield

Since it was customary in synagogues throughout the empire to invite visiting Jews to address the congregation after the main part of the service, the stage was set for Paul and me to preach the Gospel to G-d's chosen people, along with the numerous Gentile proselytes and God-fearers that gathered there.

It was a special place for us to bring this message, because the local synagogues held so much personal meaning to each of us - it wasn't just a place to preach, but it was a place to worship - it is our place of connection to our G-d.

As a result of that, many of the Christian church practices have their roots in Judaism - we loved to worship and some aspects of traditionalism were so familiar and comforting that we held on to them and incorporated them into The Way.

Originally, synagogues were places of assembly for the Jewish community - in fact, they still are today. Not to be confused with the Temple - which was G-d's dwelling place and not accessible to everyone (only Levites and Priests could enter the Temple), synagogues were a place where all were welcome to come and meet, worship, study Torah and pray. In times of exile and dwelling in foreign lands, the synagogue helped us to cling to our identity as G-d's Chosen People - apart from the pagan societies around us. We held court there, celebrated life's ups and downs and educated our young people in the Law and oral tradition.

Growing up - until my conversion - my life revolved around my family and the synagogue. It was only natural that in building the early church we patterned it (intentionally or not) after this style of community.

Traditionally, the elders of the community governed the synagogue, and even though any adult in our community (male or female) could take part in synagogue life, only bar mitzvahed males could be considered as elders.

These are the folks that gave us the most trouble throughout our first missionary journey - bless their hearts!