What Does a Biblical Church Look Like?
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Transcript of What Does a Biblical Church Look Like?
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What Does a Biblical Church Actually Look Like?
What you are about to read is an ongoing project. I started this
project at least a year ago with a friend. One day we began dreaming
and talking about what biblical components are missing or neglectedin most churches. Then it evolved into a project that seeks to capture
what we believe is going to be the foundation for future church
plants.
I recognize that there can be more detail on certain subjects. This is
just a rough draft and the goal is to be concise. Enjoy the read. If you
have any questions or comments, feel free to comment or send me a
message. Please note that the list is not in any particular order.
There are many denominations that oppose several of my points. If
you have a disagreement please handle that disagreement in a
humble and loving way. I will seek to do the same. Also, if you have
any advice or encouraging words pertaining to the points, I would
love to hear all if any that you have...
Soli Deo Gloria!
___________________________________________________
1.Biblically qualified leaders (see 1 Timothy and Titus)
a.Plurality of male elders/pastors. (Titus 1:5)
i. Each would preach/teach regularly
ii.Would be responsible for specific number of deacons
1.Includes mentorship
2.Theological training
3.Strong Accountability
http://crumbsofabeggar.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-does-biblical-church-actually-look.htmlhttp://crumbsofabeggar.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-does-biblical-church-actually-look.html -
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iii.Would be primarily not exclusively responsible for
the members given to their deacons
1.Includes meeting spiritual needs
a.biblical counseling
b.prayerc.training
d.accountability
2.The Elders would primarily not exclusively
deal with the spiritual needs whereas the
Deacons would deal with the physical
iv.Intense evaluation for those aspiring to the office of
eldership
b.Deacons/servant leaders (1Timothy 3)
i. Host a small group once a week in the home
1.Not teaching but facilitating. Each week the
group will cover accountability questions and
reflect on the passage preached on the Sundayprior.
2.Probably assign two deacon families to host the
small group. One would offer their home and
hospitality and the other would lead in the
discussion. Both families would hold one another
accountable to serving those God has entrusted
them with.
3.Possibly taking the Lord's supper weekly
ii.Be intentional about knowing physical needs of the
people God has entrusted them
iii.Organize and prepare the Sunday fellowship meal
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c.Possible staff positions
i. Full-time elder(s)
ii.Stipends for ministry
iii.CPA?iv.Secretary
v.etc.
d.Members will have leadership
opportunities/responsibilities
i. Playing in the band
ii.Advertisement
iii.Tech.
iv.Janitorial
v.Say-so in decision making
vi.Secretary, etc.
2.The Gospel would be rightly taught and preached
a.There would be a continual focus, clarification and defense
of the Gospel
3.The Word of God would be preached expositionally
4.Membership process - perhaps a 4 to 6 months process to
become a member
a.Five Solas
b.Family Worship/Discipleship
c.Financial Integrity
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d.Spiritual Gifts
e.Testimony
f. Presentation of the gospel
g.Open-handed doctrine
h.Close-handed doctrinei. What deems church discipline appropriate
j. Cursillo type initiation
k.A few meals in the home of both Elder and potential
member.
l. Ecclesiologym.Covenant with the church
n.Clarity of Commitment
5.Ecclesia would be a church that would raise up PASTOR
DAD (Eph.6:4)
a.Men (husbands and fathers) would be equipped and held
accountable to lovingly lead their homes in discipleship
i. Pastor dad would be the means of discipleship for hiswife and kids
ii.Men would be trained to lead family God time in their
homes
6.Family Integrated Worship Service
a.For the most part the family would participate in Services
together
b.We will still have Men's retreats, Women's Retreats, and
Youth retreats
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c.For those who do not have godly parents, we will plug
them in with a member who will then implement them in
their family worship throughout the week
d.For College students we will plug them in with a family
who will in turn adopt them
e.All the older singles, divorcees, widows, etc. will be
plugged in with other believers
7.Church discipline would be upheld due to:
a.Biblical leadership
b.Biblical membership
c.Pursuit of biblical integrity
8.Ecclesia would be a church that would freely give herselfaway
a.The hope is that eventually 70% of every dollar that the
church would take in would go to meet the needs of first
the local congregation, second any church plants or
missionaries supported, and finally the needs of the
surrounding community
i. The member
1.No member should be depending on welfare
2.Emergency Needs
3.etc.
ii.The surrounding community
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1.Ministry outreaches
2.Disaster relief
3.etc.
b.Eventually, operational overhead including paid staff,
facilities, and utilities would be kept to about 30% ofincome
9.Authentic Christ-centered community. (Starts in the homes
and the leadership)
a.Families will be trained to experience family
worship/discipleship
b.Elders meet once a week in homesc.Elders meet with members every third month in homes
d.Deacons meet with elder bi-weekly in the home
e.Deacons have small groups in their home weekly
f. Men's gathering once a quarter (14years and up are
included)
g.Women's gathering once a quarter
10.A restful community (though a community that stays busywith God's work)
a.Service would begin at 4pm for promoting actual rest
b.A family could sleep late on Sundays, get up and share a
breakfast or brunch time together, and then proceed into
family worship/God time (Pastor Dads time to lead the
whole family, together). The idea is that there would be
rest on Sunday - where the family slows down, cuts off the
phone, computer, TV, and etc., and actually connects with
each other as they connect with God. Those without
families would join other families or spend time with the
Lord where they are
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c.Constantly discussing and challenging members to
examine their schedule in light of Scripture
11.The number of those that are truly being discipled and
those making disciples would be our true measure of growth
12.Unity regarding the disputable matters (open-handed
matters)
a.Agree to disagree for sake of unity. For example:
i. Tongues
ii.Baptism
1.We will take a stand on a particular side as a
church (credobaptism)
2.However, it is not a doctrine to fight over
3.There are many faithful God loving bible-
breathing believers that are paedobaptists. Andthat's ok.
iii.Eschatology
iv.Tobacco
v.Music Preference
1.Our heart as a church will be to produce musicthat is:
a.Multigenerational
b.Multicultural
c.Gospel-Saturated
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vi.etc.
13.Division, however, over non-disputable matters (close-
handed matters)
a.The Gospel
b.Doctrines of God
c.Christ
d.Holy Spirit
e.Salvation
f. The Bible
etc.
14.Incarnational Ministry
a.Making a continual effort to know the people groups that
surround the location of the plant
b.Implement redeemable aspects of the culture with the life
and ministry of the church (Acts 17)
15.Being globally minded
a.A church that plants churches locally and abroad
b.Great Commission Church