Featured What are churches for?

Since Gen 4:26 believers have met corporatley.

Then in the tabernacle, then the temple.....in the Nt. the local church is God's designated meeting place for us to worship him, and be instructed in how to serve God and others with gospel realities. we are a light in a lost and dying world when we are functioning in obediance to God's revealed will.
Jesus came on a divine mission,[covenant redemption } and He is using his body to continue to fulfill that mission until the last day.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

The ultimate purpose of the church is to bring glory to God. (I Cor. 10:31) The functions of the church are easy to remember. Just remember "WIFES."

W--Worship
I--Instruction
F--Fellowship
E--Evangelism
S--Service

 

To seek the lost.
To edify and equip the saved.
So we can lead all people to be worshipers of Christ.

 

The origin of every local New Testement church is Jesus Christ. The purpose of the local New Testement church is to carry out His work, which has been so well stated above to include worship, prayer, praise, outreach, helping the poor, visiting the sick, fellowship, worship, praise, cooperating with other churches to carry out the work of the Lord, giving, worship, praise, administering the Lord's Supper and Baptism, worship and praise.

Gina, good thread, edifying, very refreshing.............

 

Good answers so far. Now, let's stir the pot a bit.

Most of us support the idea of local churches cooperating in such entities as the local association, state convention and/or SBC. Where does this leave independent ministries?

I'm thinking of, say, Billy Graham's organization, Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse. And, to stir the pot even more, what about television ministries that have no tie or accountability to a local church.

Can we find Biblical sanction for such entities?

 

I have actually been thinking about this a bit lately. What I am thinking is kind of like a personal mission statement that can be applied to the Church as well.

I exist to be exalt the Son and glorify the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit.


That means in all things, whether as a father, an employee, a pastor, neighbor, or citizen my desire is to be obedient to God. The result is personal growth, the salvation of the lost, and the edification of believers all to the glory of God, by the power of the Spirit and because of the work of Christ.

That leaves room for cooperation with local churches and associations and for people walking in obedience to what God has called them to individually. I am not of the opinion that everything we do must be tied to or sanctioned by a local church. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is a prime example of a private ministry glorifying God, reaching the lost, and maintaining a high level of integrity and accountability. I was not aware of that until a couple of months ago when I read a "The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham".

 

BTW, I find nothing in Scripture that says our ministries have to be sanctioned by or connected to a local church.

 

To serve as embassies to the kingdom of Christ.

 

They are doing a lousy job up north then Larry.

 

Collection boxes.

 

On another note...

And on another note...WHERE in the Bible do we find ANY biblical justification or call to form OR align with such entities as "local associations, state conventions and/or SBC",etc. ? I think the case could more easily be made IN FAVOR of Independent/Baptist(ic)/Non-denominational/Bible Churches rather than any of those. As for para-church ministries, such as Rescue Missions,Tract ministries,etc... I personally think that they are far better off and less subject to doctrinal issues and problems if they are operated under the auspices of a local church ministry. That said, there are many unaffiliated para-church ministries (for instance..the venerable Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago) that do a wonderful Gospel work and are worthy of support.(In my opinion)
By the way...just a reminder...there will be NO DENOMINATIONS in Heaven! Amen? Comments anyone??

Great thread Gina!! Thanks!

bro.Greg

 

No pride in Heaven either. Take note. Those who say, sin makes you stupid.

 

You Got THAT Right!

Amen:thumbsup::thumbsup: Denominations and military "inter-service" rivalries have a lot in common....and pride is the root of it all.

Bro.Greg

 

Just think Brother Tom, when you get to heaven, you will be a member of the Universal Church.

 

Another thought crossed my mind in relation to authority of the local church starting new churches. Baptists are one of the few faiths that have local, autonomous churches. So how is authority given to start a new Lutheran, Methodist, or RCC church, since there is no local church? Is it the authority of the hierarchy?

 

For me.. Spiritual gifts are given to empower ministries, and spiritual gifts are given for the edification or building up of the Church. I can't find where people ministered a part from the local church. It is a rather new thing (compared to church history) these para-church organizations.

The more and more of these you see out there, where they have no ties to a foundating home Church, is it any wonder we are seeing more and more a movement where Church membership and commitment is being set aside for a - do what you like, when you like - mentality.

While many have done good things (and many bad) the issue of the local church looses more and more emphasis, and Covenant to God and the Church looses more and more force regarding responsibility and commitment.

 

I find the Churches that worked together in cooperation in the NT gives us a great number of valid biblical justifications. Just because we label in a way that our 21st century minds understands them does not discount the churches in parts of various areas or even whole regions, worked together and were even spoken to as one at various times.. ie, the Churches of Asia, or the Churches of the Gentiles, or the Churches of Galatia, ect...

The above would be considered local associations and state conventions to us, and even a National (Gentile) Convention.. lol (that was a funny).

Of course there will be no denominations in Heaven as we will all hold to the exact same faith and doctrines. But here, so as to know in a general sense where we and others stand, denominations gives us this so we can better associate or not with those of varying faiths, or of no faith.

But I agree with you on the para-church organizations being better able to keep out the clutter or vagueness if they were tied to a local church.

 

:thumbsup::thumbsup::laugh::tongue3: Amen !!! And you won't have to worry about things like tithing or what the women wear either....!

Bro.Greg

 

Actually...

Actually Allan...your first two paragraphs are probably one of the most reasonable answers to the subject of "conventions" that I have seen to date in here. Very thoughful and reasonably stated. Thank you.....it does give me some food for thought. I'm still not sure that justifies them Biblically but it does no harm to their reasons for existence. I attend and am a member of an SBC affiliated church but I tend to always designate my offerings because I do not like some of the ways the "corporate" Convention uses some of the funding that they accumulate from the participating churches. There are some personal (and I believe godly) reasons I am here instead of an IFB church right now but I can't say I'm a "good" Southern Baptist. Of course, when we all get to the New Heavens and the New Earth and Eternity with "time no more", all of this will be blissfully irrevelant..Amen?

Now...I will apologize to Gina because I think I have gotten away from the original intent of this thread. I'm sorry.
Gina, when I get back from prayer meeting tonight I promise I will try and comment on your OP. I do have some valid thoughts on that (I think):thumbsup::laugh:

Bro.Greg