This is a very important question, one that most often reveals our priorities or even the spiritual temperature of our Christianity. Maybe before you read on, with this blog article, you should pause for a few minutes, get a pencil and paper and write down a list of the things that are important to you when looking for a church.
If you have not made this list, perhaps do so later and examine what you have put down, and ask yourself if your list would match what the NT apostles would counsel you with, were you to live in First Century Corinth or Jerusalem. In talking to people I find it fascinating, illuminating but sadly quite often discouraging to hear what people are looking for when they seek out a church. It can include things such as a church in their own community, a church with a good range of activities for their children, a place where lots of students go, a church with a high quality 'praise band' and so on. However, are these the first priorities that our Lord Jesus Christ would expect his disciples to be looking for?
At the time of the reformation, the Christian church in the face of spiritual abuses, Roman Catholic idolatry and indulgences, they had to ask some hard questions as to what represented the marks or distinguishing features of a true church. In the light of Scripture they concluded that there are two to three marks of a true church. These are:
1. The preaching of pure doctrine.
2. The right administration of the sacraments (there are two only and these are baptism and the Lord's Supper)
3. Church discipline (this means a well-ordered church with discipline for members on moral and doctrinal matters).
Sadly, such distinguishing marks are rarely understood by many Christians or they are not sought for, when people look for a church. I have read a book recently on the church, one that seeks a so-called 'missional' approach to church, but this missional church does not consider that preaching, that is the public proclamation of pure doctrine, as something that is necessary for the advance of the church and the gospel. They claim to be gospel driven without gospel preaching that is public, propositional and filled with pure doctrine. Perplexing, but all too common!
In closing, let us hear the words of holy Scripture:
Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded his apostles: 'That repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations (Luke 24:47)'.
Paul told the church at Corinth that: 'For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:23)'.
Maybe some of us need to reevaluate what to look for when seeking a church. Certainly the preaching of pure doctrine is essential to our spiritual well-being and if this is not found in our neighbourhood then we need to be prepared to travel rather than commit ourself to a church which may be less-than-best for God's people!
2 comments:
Hi Kevin,
thankyou for your blog. I read it regularly and find it well argued and interesting. You make some excellent points about how choosing a church has become almost a consumer driven choice similar to choosing a new car or a restaurant to eat at, without due regard for the theology of the church. That being said, are you being a bit harsh on some people who want a church with sound doctrine but also desire some of the other aspects?
For instance, is it wrong as a student to want to be in a church with other students for encouragement and friendship (I have made a church decision based partly on this reason)? Is it wrong for a family to want to go to a church with a thriving youth group because their young teenage sons have started to drop away from church because there's 'no other young people here'?
On another note, I was wondering what you meant here by a 'well ordered church with discipline for members on moral and doctrinal matters'? I ask because I find that comments like these have sometimes been used to support a church where the service is very solemn and 'conservative' and on the other hand implicitly condemn churches on the charismatic end of the Christian spectrum; churches where the worship is lively, and the gifts of the spirit are used in the service etc.
Would you say that a well ordered church can incorporate all of the above? I would describe myself as a charismatic evangelical and have been a regular attendee of churches, such as ones in the New Frontiers, movement, where the above is common alongside excellent preaching and doctrinal and moral instructions for members.
So how would you define 'well ordered'? In you opinion, is worshipping or 'doing church' in a certain 'style' something that is crucial for 'order' and 'discipline'?
Thankyou again for your excellent blog and look forward to reading your reply.
Cheers
Nat
Nat,
Thank you for your well thought through questions and comments. I sincerely appreciate such feedback and also the opportunity to answer such questions.
I did not intend to suggest that such factors such as a 'thriving youth group' or 'the presence of students' are not factors to be considered but rather they are not the starting point for making a decision as to what is a biblically healthy church. I think that my comments have obviously provoked you to think, and to think about the nature of the church which is vital for every Christian. You do not want to swept along in a direction that may prove to be spiritually unhelpful or biblically erroneous.
It is not easy to answer all these questions in a blog regarding a 'well ordered church' somethings are better seen than just written about. If you are ever in Sheffield it would be a joy to have you worship with us and we could explain more about the biblical principles that have historically guided the church's worship, doctrine and discipline. Discipline clearly involves having a ministry that that is theologically educated without being dry. If you check out the website of Evangelicals Now and type in Robert Letham, he wrote two articles explaining the need for a godly but educated ministry.
If you would like further reading then I recommend John Calvin's Institutes Book 4 and the first 5 chapters or R. B. Kuiper's 'The Glorious Body of Christ'.
Regarding the exercise of charismatic gifts,check out my article on my own blog. The link is http://kevinbidwell.blogspot.com/search?q=charismatic
Why not read this short article on Charismatic influences and come back with further questions? I feel that my answer is inadequate for you but at least it is a start. Check out the resources I have pointed you to, and then come back with more questions. Our church website is: www.sheffieldpres.org.uk
Kevin Bidwell
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