What scriptural principles should shape how we view our committment to local congregations of the church? What passages in the Bible relate to membership vows, participation in the life of a local fellowship, and commitment to a particular congregation? How do these issues play out if there is more than one biblically faithful congregation close enough for involvement? Is there a biblical pattern for only being involved in depth in the life of one congregation, or could you be part of two congregations?
Does the Bible describe the formalized structures that we associate with the church? The New Testament speaks of pastor/elder and of deacon, but what of all our other positions: youth ministers, music ministers, directors of Christian education, teachers/instructors, counselors, etc.
To what extent is the organization of the church given in the Bible, and to what extent does it grow out of the church's missionary task within any given culture. In other words, what aspects of the church's ministry grow out of faithful response to our task of making disciples of all nations?
Posted by swanson at januari 28, 2006 8:58 EM | TrackBack