bookmark us - tell a friend - print this page - receive email updates

MINISTRIES IN ACTION

HANDBOOK FOR CHURCH GROWTH

SECTION One: THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

Chapter One: A Clear Definition

Methodology: How Can We Know?

 

What should the church be? By what criterion should it be judged? Some would shape and judge the church by the present: to be relevant, it must be modern. The result may well be a contemporary institution, but is it the church? Has it not lost its true identity by becoming "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2)? Others would shape and judge the church by the past: to be true, it must be traditional. The result will be a conservative institution, but it may not be the church. It, too, will lose its true identity by becoming "conformed to this world" - a different world, perhaps, but nonetheless the world, the place where human judgments and styles reign. Clinging tenaciously to the past is no less dangerous for the church than a misdirected adaptation to the present. By what criterion, then, can the church be judged?

 

The Scripture

 

We must judge the church by the scripture. It is God's word which must shape and guide the church. A return to this word will have a profound effect on both the church that is governed by the present and the one that is a slave to the past. The result will be a "renewing" of mind and an approving of God's will – "his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). The church must not ignore the present nor the past. It must be alert to its present world and know how to utilize properly both its opportunities and its resources. It must seek to learn from the past, from its successes and its failures. But the church must look at both the present and the past from the standpoint of the word of God which judges both and leads the church to a proper understanding of itself and of the will of God.

The church has often given lip service to the authority of the scriptures but has departed from them or misunderstood them in the development of its own life and activity. The church must not only confess that the scriptures are its final authority in faith and practice but also live out the implications of its confession in its daily life. Often, we have zealously sought to derive our theology from the scriptures but have allowed our practice to develop along pragmatic lines. The church's theology must show in its practice. Theology is not a preliminary activity; it is the controlling force in all our activity. It must constantly judge, correct and re-shape our practice. It must have not only the first word, but also the last word.

As we must be careful to subject our practice to our theology, so we must be equally concerned to project our theology into activity. "Truth is toward action." Our theology must be theology in action. Where theology does not issue in love and obedience to God, it becomes theoretical and irresponsible. The church then must avoid both an unorthodox activity and an inactive orthodoxy. It must love the Lord by both knowing and doing what He commands.

 

Form and Freedom

 

The church, then, is not free to be anything it desires to be. God has given it a definite form – a form which is revealed in the practice of the early church and in the writings of the New Testament.

Various writers have attempted to describe this form or shape of the church. Francis Schaeffer lists eight limits that the New Testament places upon the institutional church. 1) Local congregations are to exist and are to be made up of Christians. 2) Congregations are to meet together in a special way on the first day of the week. 3) There are to be church officers (elders) who have responsibility for the local churches. 4) There are to be deacons responsible for the community of the church in the area of material things. 5) The church is to take discipline seriously. 6) There are specific qualifications for elders and deacons. 7) There is a place for form on a wider basis than the local church. 8) The two sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be practiced (The Church at the End of the 20th Century, Francis A. Schaeffer, pp. 59-67). It would seem that at least two other points should be added: the participation of every Christian in the ministry of the church and the necessity for the church to be faithful in worship, edification, fellowship and witness.

A proper understanding of the biblical form of the church is necessary for the creation of any plan for church development and church growth. This plan must be directed by and compatible with the biblical givens.

As there is form, there is also freedom in the church. Scholars have recognized this dimension of the church's existence. Charles Hodge wrote: "There are certain things prescribed, to which every church ought to conform, and many things as to which she is at liberty to act as she deems best for God's glory, and the advancement of his kingdom" (Charles Hodge, Appendix B in The Collected Writings of James Henley Thornwell. Vol. IV, p. 621). Francis Schaeffer says: "Anything the New Testament does not command in regard to church form is a freedom to be exercised under the leadership of the Holy Spirit for that particular time and place. In other words, the New Testament sets boundary conditions, but within these boundary conditions there is much freedom to meet the changes that arise both in different places and different times" (Francis Schaeffer, The Church at the End of the 10th Century, p. 67). Edmund Clowney says: "We cannot turn to the New Testament to find a 'little black book' of church order. None of the books of the New Testament have the form of the 'Manual of Discipline' of the Dead Sea community. The New Testament teaching concerning church order is given in the course of the unfolding of revelation in the apostolic age. The inspired authors do not provide any rule-book, but deal with particular problems in the circumstances in which they arose. But, nevertheless, they do express principles and commandments of Christ that have perpetual authority in Christ's church. The forms of government in the church reflect the fullness of Christ's dwelling in the church by the Spirit. We do not have a mechanical legalism in church government; that would contrast strangely with the nature of the church and of salvation in Christ." (Edmund P. Clowney, from a mimeographed paper entitled "A Brief for Church Governors in Church Government", pp. 1, 2).

Any program for church growth and development must appreciate both the form and the freedom of the church. The scripturally defined limits must be discovered and preserved. The areas of freedom must be used with care. Anything the New Testament does not command in regard to church form is in the area of freedom, but this is not a complete freedom. What the church does in this area must not violate the form of the church nor run counter to the principles which the Bible establishes. The area of freedom of the church means that we are free within the given form to act with biblical principles and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to creatively develop new ideas and methods to enable the church to better do its work. As form guarantees that all churches will be basically alike, freedom provides room for variation due to historical, cultural and temporal differences.

SELF STUDY

Form and Freedom in the Church

 

1. List some areas of freedom in the church. Are there some areas commonly considered to be under form which should be under freedom and vice-versa?

 

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

 

2. What missiological principles can be drawn from the church's form and freedom?

 

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

Identity.... What is the Church?

We must first understand what the church is before we can know what it is to do - and how. In the Bible the indicative always pre­cedes the imperative. What the church is stands before and points to what the church is to do. Edmund Clowney says:

"Because the church is a trophy of grace it cannot be described in merely functional terms. In grace God calls His church to Himself. The church is constituted first not in terms of what we are called to do together but in terms of what we are called to be together" (By God's Grace ... The Church, Edmund P. Clowney, p. 8).

There are a number of ways to study the identity of the church: the pattern established in the early church, the New Testament epistles and the images of the church found in the New Testament. There are one hundred or more of these pictures of images, each with its particular area of truth and validity. (Images of the Church by Paul Minear is a thorough study of this topic.) The following is a brief summary of the major New Testament images of the church, with a list of major implications which will be important in the developing of a program of church growth. This material, prepared in outline form, is also intended to be used as supplementary information for teachers and moderators of small groups. Christians ought to be challenged to understand and apply these Biblical truths.

Images of the Church in the New Testament

I.                   Body[1]

A.                 Old Testament Background

1. only image of the church with no Old Testament equivalent (John Stott, One People).

2.                  The figure of the body of Christ stands against the back­ground of covenantal headship (Edmund Clowney, The Doctrine of the Church).

B.                 New Testament Passages:

Romans 12:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22, 23 and 4:4, 15, 16; Colossians 2:19 (The body is the most prominent image of the church in Paul's letters.)

C.                 Important Ideas

1.                  There is one body (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corin­thians 23:23). The church is one.

2.                  There is one head (Ephesians 4:5, 15). Christ alone is head of the church.

3.                  Christ, the head, creates, rules, and nourishes the body (I Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 1:22 and 4: 15, 16; Colossians 2:19). Christ creates his church, governs it and provides its life.

4.                  There are many different members in the body (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 23:14). The church is composed of different members.

5.                  These members are inter-related.

a.                   Each member has a spiritual gift (I Corinthians 12:7 and 11).

b.                  Each member is a member of the body and is perfect in its place (I Corinthians 12:15·18). There are no unnecessary members of the church.

c.                   Each member is dependent on every other member (Romans 12:5). There are no isolated members of the church.

d.                  Each member serves the other members (I Corinthians 12:25, 26; Ephesians 4:16). There are no self-sufficient members of the church.

6.                  The growth of the body is a collective process (Ephesians 4:15, 16; Colossians 2:19). The body grows in the image of Christ the head through the proper functioning of each member of the church.

7.                  The goal is for the body "to grow up in all aspects into him" (Ephesians 4:15).

II. Building/Temple

A.     Old Testament Background: Tabernacle and Temple

B.     New Testament Passages: Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 3:9-17; Ephesians 2:20-22; I Peter 2:5-8.

C.     Important Ideas

1.                  The church is the temple, the house of God and is sanc­tified by the presence of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:9, 16).

2.                  It is built on Christ, the only foundation as witnessed to by apostles and prophets (Matthew 16:18, "the confessing apostle,"          I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6).

3.                  It is being built by Christ (Matthew 16:18) through his builders (I Corinthians 3:10).

4.                  It is dynamic.

a.                   The stones are living and the building is growing (Ephesians 2:21; I Peter 2:5).

b.                  The parts are related (Ephesians 2:21, 22).

c.                   The Holy Spirit is the shekinah presence in the sanctuary (I Cor­inthians 3:16).

d.                  The spiritual edifice is the place of holiness and spiritual ser­vice (I Corinthians 3:16, 17, and section X).

5.                  There is a negative side to describe the separation of those who are guilty of apostasy in faith or life: the one defiles the holy temple of God's dwelling God will destroy (I Corinthians 4:17); to the disobedient, Christ becomes not the foundation stone but the stone of stumbling and rock of offense (I Peter 2:8).

6.                  The goal is "a holy temple in the "a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:21, 22). The church is being built for the trinity.

III. Bride

A.                 Old Testament Background: Many passages, espe­cially Hosea 2.[2]

B.                 New Testament Passages: II Corinthians 11:2, Ephe­sians 5:22-29; Revelation 19:7-9, 21:2.

C.                 Important Ideas

1. Christ is the bridegroom whose presence with the wedding guests made fasting inappropriate (Mark 2:1-20).

2.                  The bridegroom loves the bride. Christ loves the church and is "the savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23, 25, 29).

3.                  The bridegroom rules the bride; Christ is the head of the church, which is subject to him (Ephesians 5:23, 24).

4.                  The bride responds in loving obedience and purity; the church is true to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24).

5.                  Spiritual adultery Christ will judge, for his bride must be pure and spotless (II Corinthians 11:2).

6.                  John the Baptist and Paul liken themselves to the best man at the wedding; there is only one bridegroom but there are those who attend to his interests (who are then both the bride and the friends of the bridegroom) (John 3:29; II Corinthians 11:2).

7.                  The bride will be presented to Christ as "a pure virgin," "holy and blameless," "ready" and "adorned"; Christ will give to himself "the church in all her glory" (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 19:7 and 21:2).

IV. Vineyard

A.        Old Testament Background: Psalm 80:8-19; Isaiah 5, etc.

B.                 New Testament Passages: Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-12; John 15:1-6.

C.                 Important Ideas

1.                  The vineyard is God's (Mark 12:1).

2.                  The vineyard is cared for by God (John 15:1).

3.                  Christ is the vine and the branches are in him (John 15:1).

4.                  The branches are dependent for their fruitfulness both on their abiding in Christ and on their being pruned by the father (John 15:2).

5.                  Fruitfulness is expected and required (John 15:1-6) in growing abundance - "fruit, more fruit, much fruit."

6.                  Lifeless branches of the vine are cut off and burned (John 15:1). There have been false wine-growers in his vineyard who prevent his receiving the fruit (Matthew 21:33-41 and Mark 12:1-12).

V. Field

A.                 Old Testament Background: Isaiah 61:3.

B.                 New Testament Passages: Matthew 15:13; I Corinthians 3:5-9.

C.                 Important Ideas

1.                  The field is owned by God (I Corinthians 3:9).

2.                  The field is cultivated by God through his servants (I Corinthians 3:6).

3.                  God causes the growth (I Corinthians 3:6, 7).

4.                  Every plant which God did not plant shall be rooted up. (Matthew 15:13).

VI. Flock

A.                 Old Testament Background: Psalms 23 and 80:1; Isaiah 40:11 and 63:9.

B.                 New Testament Passages: Luke 12:32 and 15:3-7; John 10:1-16; Acts 20:28; I Peter 2:25 and 5:1-4.

C. Important Ideas

1.                  Jesus is the "good shepherd" and "shepherd and guardian of your souls" and the "chief shepherd" (John 10:11; I Peter 2:25 and 5:1-4).

2.                  He provides for the sheep.

a.                   He lays down his life for them and purchases the church with his own blood (John 10:11; Acts. 20:28.)

b.                  He searches for the lost and rejoices when they are found (Luke 15:3-7).

c.                   He cares for, knows and leads them (John 10:3, 4.)

d.                  His father gives them "the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

3.                  His sheep know him and follow him (John 10:4, 14.

4.                  There are "hirelings" who abandon the sheep to destruc­tion (John 10:12), "thieves and robbers" who come to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:8, 10) and "strangers" from whom the sheep flee (John 10:5).

5.                  There are true undershepherds to whom the good shep­herd entrusts the care of the flock and whom he rewards with an "unfading crown of glory" (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

The goal of the good shepherd is abundant life for his own and the finding and bringing of other sheep to make "one flock with one shepherd" (John 10:10, 16).

VII. Family

A.                 Old Testament Background: Hosea 1:10 and 11:1 (Where Israel is called God's son).

B.                 New Testament Passages: Matthew 6:7-15 and entire sermon; Luke 11:13; John 1: 2; Romans 8:14-17 and 9:26;      II Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26 and 4:4-7; I John 2:29 - 3:3, 3:9, 10; Revelation 21:7).

C.                 Important Ideas

1.                  God makes us his children and heirs (Romans 8:17; Gala­tians 4:7) by begetting us (I John 2:29), by calling us (I John 3:1) and by adopting us (Galatians 4:5).

2.                  He gives us "good gifts" (the Holy Spirit) and freedom from anxiety (Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13; Matthew 6:7-13, 25-34).

3.                  We become his children through faith and by "over­coming" (Galatians 3:26; Revelation 21:7).

4.                  As his children we respond in love and obedience (Ro­mans 8:14, 15) and commit ourselves and our affairs to him (Matthew 6:7-13, 25-34). Furthermore, we "purify ourselves" and "do not practice sin" but "love our breth­ren" (I John 3:3, 10).

VIII. Nation/Kingdom

A.                 Old Testament Background: the people of God/the nation of Israel.[3]

B.                 New Testament Passages: Romans 14:17; Colossians 1:13; Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:9, 10 and "Kingdom of God" passages.

C.                 Important Ideas

1.                  The church is "a people for God's own possession," "the kingdom of his well-beloved son" (Colossians 1:13; Titus 2:14;   I Peter 2:9). Christ gave himself for his people to redeem and purify us (Titus 2:14).

2.                  God exercises his rule of his people through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

3.                  God's rule produces "righteousness and peace and joy" and creates "a holy nation," and a people "zealous for good deeds" (Romans 14:17; Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:9).

4.                  Paul was a herald of the kingdom (Acts 20:25).

IX. Priests

A.                 Old Testament Background: Old Testament Priesthood Romans 12:1 and 15:16; Hebrews 13:15.

B.                 New Testament Passages: I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6 and 20:6.

C.        Important Ideas

1.         Christ made us priests (Revelation 1:6).[4]

2.                  We are a "holy" and "royal" priesthood (I Peter 2:5, 9) (the church's state and standing).

3.                  As priests to God, we offer up spiritual sacrifices - our­selves, our converts, our thanksgiving (Romans 12:1 and 15:16; Hebrews 13:15).

4.                  His priests will reign with him "for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).

5.                  Paul "ministered as a priest" the gospel of God (Romans 15:16).

X.                 Major Implications

A.        God is primary. The church is his and exists for him. It is his body, his temple, his bride, his vineyard, his field, his flock, his family, his kingdom, and his priests. Prior to the idea of God's using the church is God's owning the church. Before anything else, the church is God's church.

B.                 God is active in relation to his church. Each image stresses God's direct, purposeful and sovereign dealings with his church. The emphasis is always on his saving initiative toward the church. As the head, he creates rules and nourishes the body; he builds the temple; he calls and loves the bride; he keeps the vineyard; he cultivates the field; he leads the flock; he provides for the family and he makes the nation and priesthood.

C.                 The church is responsive to God. The body responds to the head; the building "grows"; the bride loves the bride­groom; the vineyard bears fruit; the field produces a crop; the flock hears his voice; the children love the father; the nation is zealous for good works; and the priests offer spiritual sacrifices to him.

D.                God's activity and the church's response are directed toward an end. The body matures; the building "grows" to completion; the bride is ready and adorned in all her glory; the vineyard produces much fruit; the field pro­duces crops; the flock is enlarged; the children love the father and each other; the kingdom "comes"; and the priests reign with him.

E.                 The church is relational. The members of the body are interdependent; the stones of the building are joined to­gether and support each other; we are branches of the same vine, sheep in the same fold, brothers in the same family, fellow-citizens of the same kingdom, and priests in the same temple.

F.                  There is a negative side to describe the separation of those who are guilty of apostasy in faith or life. The lifeless branches of the vine are cut off and burned; God will de­stroy anyone who defiles the temple of God's dwelling; to the disobedient, Christ becomes not the foundation stone but the stone of stumbling and rock of offense; Christ will judge spiritual adultery

G.                Although the emphasis is clearly upon Christ and his Church as a totality, there is a less prominent, but impor­tant, theme: special responsibility in the church. There are builders of his temple; John the Baptist and Paul are "best men" at his wedding; Paul and Apollos are his farmers in his field; Paul and others are undershepherds in his flock. Paul is a herald of the kingdom and ministers as a priest of the gospel. He is a steward of the household and nursemaid in the family. God's relation to his church is not defined in these images in terms of a special class within the church, the clergy. Special responsibility is recognized and ap­proved but it is not this which makes the church.

This study, "Images of the Church in the New Testament," may be used as a guide in a small discussion group.

Copyright © 1983 by Ministries in Action

Ministries In Action grants exclusively to the viewer the right to copy and reproduce selected pages of this work for the use of church study groups but prohibits the sale of any such copies and otherwise prohibits the reproduction or publication of the contents, except as noted, without the express permission of Ministries In Action.

Back to Table of Contents

Check back next week for Section One, Chapter Two