Its Identity And Nature |The Church's Worship | The Church's Leadership | The Church Community
Some Church History | Giving & Tithing | Baptism | Its Counterfeits

(Updated 05/05/06 )

"Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:11; "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." Revelation 14:7; "Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11

Much of today's "worship" appears to be more concerned with entertaining and emotionally charging its audience then with the glory of God. What is worse is that the world's latest cultural edge is sought to achieve these ends. We end up with a trite, frivolous, irreverent and man centered "worship service" that entertains the goats and starves the sheep. 

Our chief aim in worship must be to honor God by acknowledging the hideous nature of sin, the glorious nature of God and His attributes, God's sovereignty in salvation, and the splendor of God's Mercy in the Cross. Our worship must be founded theologically and intellectually, expressed emotionally, and animated by fear and joy. The question must be asked: is the aim of our current worship philosophy to elicit a particular response from those present or is it to extol the Greatness of God?

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       A Qualified Leadership

^"Now the overseer must be..." 1 Timothy 3:2

Are elders the churches equivalent of a board of trustees for the CEO, the "Senior Pastor"? Are they just trustees? Are they necessary for a church? Should any willing adult be encouraged to pursue the eldership? Too many are ostensively placed into the office of elder without being Biblically qualified for the position. 

The church must be governed by Biblically qualified elders. This qualification is marked by being beyond reproach, moral character, integrity, self-control, hospitable, apt to teach, and spiritual maturity. It is only by such qualification that these elders are able to bear the unique responsibility to govern, feed, protect the church, and equip all the saints to do the work of ministry. 

Within the lists of elder qualifications, three requirements address the elder's abilities to perform the task. He must be able to manage his family household well, provide a model of Christian living for others to follow, and be able to teach and defend the faith.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       A Modeling Leadership

"Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ." I Corinthians 11:1; "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers... being examples to the flock" 1 Peter 5:2-3

To often the "Pastor" is a source of public teaching in the eyes of the congregation, and nothing more. Instruction without an exemplary life produces empty sanctimony. 

If indeed the elders are Biblically qualified then they will be excellent models and examples of what godly, mature, humble, zealous, selfless Christianity looks like. The maturity of the elders in their homes, marriages, fathering, finances, friendships, employment, recreation (etc) is inherent to Biblical Eldership.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       A Plural Leadership

"Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church..." Acts 14:23

The Bible contains examples of God working through one strong leader. Should this be the paradigm for church leadership? Does the Bible leave forms of church leadership an area of liberty for each church to decide?

The Apostolic example is that of establishing a plurality of elders in each church (Acts 14:23). With this in mind the church is to be governed by a plurality of Biblically qualified elders. These elders share an equal authority and responsibility in pastoral care and oversight of the church. There is no New Testament precept, example, or merit in today's prominent view of having a single "Senior Pastor". Such a one-man leadership/one-man ministry impedes the biblical functioning of the body. With one man as Senior Pastor the problem arises that his personal, theological, and practical imbalances in all likelihood will go unchecked. When a plurality exists the elders must come to a brotherly and deferential consensus. With such consensus imbalances, weaknesses, and errors are far more apt to be kept in check.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       A Servant Leadership

". . . nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" 1 Peter 5:3; "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5

New Testament, Christ like elders are to be servant leaders, not dictators. God doesn't want His people to be used by petty, self-serving tyrants. Elders are to choose a life of service on behalf of others. Like the servant Christ, they are to sacrifice their time and energy for the good of others. Only elders who are loving, humble servants can genuinely manifest the incomparable life of Jesus Christ to their congregations and a watching world.

The humble-servant character of the eldership doesn't imply, however, an absence of authority. The New Testament terms that describe the elders' position and work--"God's stewards," "overseers," "shepherd," "leading"--imply authority as well as responsibility. Peter could not have warned the Asian elders against "lording it over those allotted to your charge" (1 Peter 5:3) if they had no authority. As shepherds of the church, elders have been given the authority to lead and protect the local church (Acts 20:28-31). The key issue is the attitude in which elders exercise that authority.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       A Community Raised Eldership

"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you" Titus 1:5; "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

The current thought is that pastors are trained in seminaries and sent out to serve in a church. This has tended to created an air of professionalism. Too often the ability to perform academically for seminary is seen to qualify a man for pastoring and shepherding in a church body. A few visits and sample sermons may establish that one is apt to teach, but there will be no real knowledge of his life or character. In the early church elders were local brothers who arose from within a local church where their life and character were known.

A second issue is the relationship between the seminarian's life and the local assembly. Theological training must always be seen as being in conjunction and inherent with life in the community of a church. Too often theological training and church involvement are artificially separated. This belief / life disconnect has deep and troubling implications for the spiritual health of the individual and the church.

The responsibility to train up future leadership properly and Biblically resides in the local church, not in a para-church institution. No one would dispute that para-church ministries have done good. However, the ends do not justify the means.

Why aren't our churches raising and training their own men for pastoral leadership? There have been generations of abdication on the churches part. Now it is assumed that one will have to depart off to seminary.

Churches should establish a vision to become the ministerial training facility for the men in their own midst. A caveat is due, the local church is likely to be ill-equipped for such training. Most leaders in today's church are themselves poorly trained in textual exegesis, the biblical languages, hermeneutics, counseling...etc. How could such leadership raise up and train future leaders? "A disciple is not above his teacher." If this is the case then the goal ought to be established to become capable of thoroughly training future leaders as a church or in conjunction with other local assemblies. Such a goal may take years to attain. Most goals worthy of pursuit take time.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       Community and The Primacy of Relationship

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;" Romans 10:12

What are the distinguishing characteristics that should be present in how Christians relate one to another? Is love practically demonstrated in our actions towards fellow believers? Or is self-will, inhospitality, or a safe shallowness the prevailing characteristic.  The saints of God are to be equipped for spiritual ministry and maturity primarily through family-based, one-on-one, heart-level relationships. Whereas, the popular church system has replaced heart-level relationships with activity-based programs.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       Community and the Priesthood of Believers

"for the body is not one member, but many"

What does "the ministry" look like when the church assembles on Sunday? Is the ministry primarily to be one way? From the ministry team and Pastor to the congregation? Is there a New Testament pattern to consider? What is the New Testament pattern?

Most churches have the congregation sit back and enjoy the "ministry" up on stage by the church staff. Except for some brief corporate singing they are the passive audience. Some churches may even set aside a few minutes for those present to share a verse or a prayer. 

The New Testament teaches that the local church is to be edified and ministered to by all the members present – "for the body is not one member, but many" (1 Corinthians 12:14; cf. 14:12,26-31; Ephesians 4:16). Effective corporate teaching occurs when the instruction of various gifted teachers is combined with the priesthood of all believers. Because of this, active participation, questions, and interaction of the entire fellowship for the edification of one another ought to be encouraged. 

Some churches acknowledge a need for Christians ministering to one another. A few minutes are set aside during the Sunday morning service or home groups are established for such sharing. It is a good thing that the need for mutual edification during the corporate gathering is acknowledged. However, what is the New Testament pattern? Such interaction is seen as normative for the entirety of every gathering. Why would we seek to do otherwise?

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       Community, Family Cohesion & The Modern Youth Ministry

"Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching" - Pro 1:8
How are people best lead into maturity? By being placed into peer oriented groups (Youth Group, Singles Ministry, College Group, Empty Nesters...etc)?

The biblical family is a Scripturally ordered household of parents, children, and sometimes others (such as singles, widows, divorcees, or grandparents), forming the God-ordained building blocks of the church (2 Tim. 4:19). Therefore we ought to reject the church's implementation of modern individualism by fragmenting the family through age-graded, peer-oriented, and special-interest classes, that prevents rather than promotes family unity. 

If the elders desire to find the best way to build up the youth of the church then let them find ways to build up and strengthen the families. 

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

       Community and Hospitality

"Be hospitable to one another without complaint." - 1 Peter 4:9
The New Testament teaches that Christians are to practice hospitality towards both fellow believers and outsiders (Matthew 25:34-40; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 3:8,14; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). This being true, why do most of us rarely open our homes to others? Why do so many Christians ignore the physical needs of one another? Why is hospitality a forgotten virtue in most churches? 

Enter a typical church for a visit. What do you encounter by way of fellowship? A few speedy "hellos"? Probably. A brief chat afterwards? Maybe. An invitation to someone's house for fellowship? All too rarely. Why is hospitality a forgotten virtue in most churches? The New Testament teaches that Christians are to practice hospitality towards both fellow believers and outsiders (Matthew 25:34-40; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 3:8,14; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is a crucial element in building Christian a community of close, brotherly love. It is especially important in churches where people really don't know each other or where relationships are superficial, Sunday-morning-only relationships. 

Hospitality is not only characterized in Scripture as normative Christianity, it is a Biblical command. If fellowship and community are important to Christianity then we must be a people marked by hospitality. Many Christians do not realize what the New Testament teaches about hospitality and what it can do for the local church. 

Hospitality is an effective tool for evangelism. Showing Christ's love to others in a home environment may be the only means Christians have to reach their neighbors for Christ. A Christian home can be a lighthouse for God in a spiritually dark neighborhood. 

Hospitality is a great way to serve the Lord's people and for Christians to use their spiritual gifts. By opening their homes, Christians can discover a practical and effective means of serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do we long for fellowship with the brethren? Or do we see hospitality as an inconvenience to our schedules and priorities? It is time to examine some attitudes and priorities. 

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:3-4

In today's Christian culture where every subset of the church has their own support group (Youth group, Newlyweds, Golden Years...etc) the passing of knowledge and wisdom accrued through experience seems to all but have passed away. This trend to physically separate these subsets into classes one day a week militates toward a relational separation throughout the rest of the week. Today, when a woman's children have grown and moved out she shifts her attention to a career, or Bridge Club, or a church program or some other activity. What is the exhortation in the Scriptures? Older women teach younger women to be lovers of their husbands and keepers at home. There are a host of Christian young men who did not have the blessing of growing up in a godly home. Where are the older men to disciple them? Must each generation of new converts have to struggle without the assistance of those who have gone before? We must see the return of discipleship relationships as normative Christianity. Discipleship is an activity that by its very nature is accomplished by means of a relationship over time. It includes teaching, modeling, and on-the-job training, but the essence of discipleship is a relationship.

We need to see a return to Christian discipleship.

Semper Reformata - Solo Christo's Reformation Statement

        Believer's Baptism Apologetic

        Infant Baptism

        Baptismal Regeneration

        Introductory Issues

        "Evangelicals & Catholics Together"

        Other Cults