What is the Church?

  • An intentional and consistent assembly of a local group of disciples as the Body of Christ (Acts 2:42-47). These local Bodies make up the global Body that will be taken up by the Lord before the Tribulation, and returning with Christ to rule and reign during the millennial kingdom.

    What is the Purpose of the Church?

  • One Body, with many members who sacrificially love one another, using their gifts given according to the Spirit (1 Cor 12)

  • Since Christ Himself gifts/equips and the Holy Spirit empowers, the Body is equipped to live out the roles and good works that He has ordained from the foundation of the world (Acts 1, Eph 4).

    function and activities of the Church:

  • Teach the Bible as a complete work, using verse by verse inductive methods

  • Encourage and exhort believers to live out all the commands of the Great Commission (Matt 28)

  • Welcome and strengthen weak believers that have slipped into sin or apathy to engage fully in the Body of Christ and consistent study and application of His Word. (Heb 10 - 12)

  • Provide encouragement through the Word of God and prayer for members to create relationships with non-believers for the purpose of evangelism and eventual participation in the local Body of Christ. (Acts 2, 1 Peter 3, James 5, Eph 6)

Structure and Leadership of the Church:

  • The primary purpose of the Body of Christ as demonstrated in a local church is to equip believers to go out and make Disciples to do the work of ministry. (Matt 28:18-20, Eph 4:11-14) Therefore, both corporate and home fellowships are critical to a healthy church. A stand alone corporate meeting does not meet the criteria of a functioning body. It tends to overgrow it’s bounds and takes on a completely different purpose. (Mark 4:30-32) Faith becomes compartmentalized, without addressing individual sanctification (James 5:16), which results in a lack of growth, a consumer mentality and allowing impurity (sin). This is the opposite of what the Scriptures teach for service and love of the brethren. Conversely, a stand alone home fellowship without some level of Biblical outside accountability may lean towards ill qualified leaders, worldly fellowship and convenience over the attributes of a true church. (Titus 1:5, Acts 2:42)
    Note: when corporate worship and connection is prevented (i.e. persecution, mobility, etc.), then the home fellowship is the mode of learning and equipping. (Acts 2:46-47, Heb 10:23-25)

  • The “Full Counsel of God” as represented in the entirety of Scripture must be the recognized ruler of the church.  Any member or attending person can challenge theology and practice based on the application of Scripture in context. (Acts 20, 1 Tim 4)

  • The Pastor/Elders are to be the leaders (shepherds) of the church . This includes a process of qualification, that examines beliefs, actions and level of commitment.  This not only includes the time previous to ordination, but also the expectation of growth. These men (and wives by extension) are to be the example to everyone, exhorting all to live as they do (follow me as I follow Christ) so others can live and grow in the same way.  There must be plurality of Pastor/Elders, with one designated as the primary to set the vision for the church, following the Biblical pattern of “the greatest shall be your servant”. (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim 3:1-12, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Matt 23:11)

Note:  If the Pastor/Elder is married, qualifications, as appropriate, must include their wives.  This is NOT for the purpose of leadership, as the Bible designates that position in the church and home for the man.  It IS for the purpose of a consistent message (unity), accountability, ongoing discipleship, and equipping for ministry.

  • The Deacons are to be qualified (1 Tim 3), including beliefs, actions and level of commitment. They are responsible for leading and exhorting the “acts of service” for the Body.  (Acts 6)

  • The Board(s) will provide additional leadership capacity and accountability, but are subject to the Scripture and the Pastor/Elders.

“Right Standing” in the Church:

  • The active participation and engagement of both the leadership (shepherds) and the congregation (sheep). This means “doing life together” with priority over other family, friends and activities. (Acts 2:46-47)

  • Active engagement is important in the following areas:

    • Indicates the willingness to mature in Christ and participate in His Kingdom

    • Guards the peace and purity of the church

    • Initiates and solidifies the commitment to the local Body

    • Aids in defining who is the responsibility of the Pastor and Elders and part of the local Body