In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Builder Is Christ...
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In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Builde... - 11/11/2008 11:51:56 AM
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ezerfi
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The Church must be very important and careful search for the right one must be employed.
The problem is how can we know which among the many churches today is the true and real Church of
Christ?
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/11/2008 12:14:29 PM
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crankius
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Here are some things I look at when trying to find a Biblical church:
-Doctrine. I check their doctrine statements to see if they are Biblical.
-Leadership. I examine their leadership structure to see if it is Biblical. I prefer a church that has a plurality of elders, and a group of deacons, serving and leading the church.
-Fellowship. I visit a couple times and see if the church appears to act as a church, with warmth, joy, friendships, genuine fellowship.
-Bible studies/classes. I see what kinds of studies they engage in. Do they study the Bible together? Are they studying books? What kinds of books?
-Music. Is the music doctrinally sound? Does the music have a healthy balance with all the other ministries in the church?
I also consider my personal preferences, but these other things take priority.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/11/2008 12:19:20 PM
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earthless
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From: where pigeons are wearing sweaters....
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Great post, Crankius.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/11/2008 12:51:40 PM
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ezerfi
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Thanks for your your share. These will help me and many...
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/11/2008 2:01:16 PM
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rcjames
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From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
Here are some things I look at when trying to find a Biblical church:
-Doctrine. I check their doctrine statements to see if they are Biblical.
-Leadership. I examine their leadership structure to see if it is Biblical. I prefer a church that has a plurality of elders, and a group of deacons, serving and leading the church.
-Fellowship. I visit a couple times and see if the church appears to act as a church, with warmth, joy, friendships, genuine fellowship.
-Bible studies/classes. I see what kinds of studies they engage in. Do they study the Bible together? Are they studying books? What kinds of books?
-Music. Is the music doctrinally sound? Does the music have a healthy balance with all the other ministries in the church?
I also consider my personal preferences, but these other things take priority.
I would also add that to be in line with the First Century Church there must be accountability outside the local group of believers.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 3:20:19 AM
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ezerfi
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
Here are some things I look at when trying to find a Biblical church:
-Doctrine. I check their doctrine statements to see if they are Biblical.
What are those necessary Doctrines that must be check?
-Leadership. I examine their leadership structure to see if it is Biblical. I prefer a church that has a plurality of elders, and a group of deacons, serving and leading the church.
There are several approach of leadership that is common to churches, who should be heard and followed in the church?
-Fellowship. I visit a couple times and see if the church appears to act as a church, with warmth, joy, friendships, genuine fellowship.
-Bible studies/classes. I see what kinds of studies they engage in. Do they study the Bible together? Are they studying books? What kinds of books?
I truly see this to be of utmost important.
-Music. Is the music doctrinally sound? Does the music have a healthy balance with all the other ministries in the church?
What type of music or can you suggest the kind of music that church must have?
I also consider my personal preferences, but these other things take priority.
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 3:24:28 AM
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ezerfi
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ORIGINAL: rcjames
I would also add that to be in line with the First Century Church there must be accountability outside the local group of believers.
Thanks
RC
[/quote]
What do you mean please of accountability outside the local group of believers?
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 10:10:48 AM
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rcjames
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quote:
quote:
ORIGINAL: ezerfi
ORIGINAL: rcjames
I would also add that to be in line with the First Century Church there must be accountability outside the local group of believers.
Thanks
RC
What do you mean please of accountability outside the local group of believers?
The Churches in the New Testament were accountable to the Council in Jerusalem, Paul, and others who were not part of the local body. The examples given in Scripture do not give complete automony to the local group of Believers.
So the "Lone Ranger" type of Churches are not Script;ural whether they be house Churches, meet in buildings, or meet under a tree somewhere.
Thanks
RC
edited for quote correction
< Message edited by rcjames -- 11/19/2008 4:39:36 PM >
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 1:22:22 PM
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crankius
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ezerfi
What are those necessary Doctrines that must be check?
Correct doctrine on these basic truths: God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, nature of Godhead, the Word of God, salvation, justification, sanctification, atonement, crucifixion, resurrection, original sin, imputation, propitiation...these are the kinds of things I would want to know where they stand on.
quote:
There are several approach of leadership that is common to churches, who should be heard and followed in the church?
Scripture gives us qualifications for elders and for deacons. I choose churches who take these qualifications seriously. Rather than a single head pastor (which is not in Scripture), churches should be led by a plurality of elders, meaning a group of men who meet the Biblical qualifications for elder, so that they can share accountability and leadership responsibilities.
A church with a single head pastor provides no accountability and leaves too much room for the arrogance of man, and a church led by committee is like being led by the Israelites who asked Aaron for a golden calf or who decided the promised land was too difficult to enter.
A plurality of qualified elders (with Christ as the chief shepherd), and a group of qualified deacons, provides for the most Biblical leadership structure.
quote:
What type of music or can you suggest the kind of music that church must have?
Aside from doctrine in the music (the words), the style of music is purely a matter of preference. God gave us liberty in issues of taste and style.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 2:27:53 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
-Bible studies/classes. I see what kinds of studies they engage in. Do they study the Bible together? Are they studying books? What kinds of books?
This is always telling to me.
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 5:40:39 PM
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jn1010lf
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Hello ezerfi
First, I would ask, "Do you know what the real church should be?" If you don't know, then it would be very yard to evaluate any church at all.
I would say that the true church is still being formed and perfected. You can find many that believe in salvation, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, etc. However, few churches really realize what it means to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. Many are learning but I'm afraid that most are sorely lacking.
If I could advise you, I would say that the real church preaches salvation, the Holy Spirit and does what Jesus said He was anointed to do.
However, the greatest test you could ever find is, "Are you loved when you go there?" Is it a love that you can't find anyplace else, like a bar or any secular club of any kind. Does this love literally melt you, caress your heart and wam your soul.
Jesus said that others would know that we are His disciples by our love. So, that actually may be the best test of all.
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/19/2008 6:14:27 PM
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earthless
Posts: 6352
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From: where pigeons are wearing sweaters....
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Eh... I can be loved at a Mormon church.. doesn't mean they are preaching God's truth.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/20/2008 9:55:23 AM
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ezerfi
Posts: 25
Joined: 11/11/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
quote:
There are several approach of leadership that is common to churches, who should be heard and followed in the church?
Scripture gives us qualifications for elders and for deacons. I choose churches who take these qualifications seriously. Rather than a single head pastor (which is not in Scripture), churches should be led by a plurality of elders, meaning a group of men who meet the Biblical qualifications for elder, so that they can share accountability and leadership responsibilities.
A church with a single head pastor provides no accountability and leaves too much room for the arrogance of man, and a church led by committee is like being led by the Israelites who asked Aaron for a golden calf or who decided the promised land was too difficult to enter.
A plurality of qualified elders (with Christ as the chief shepherd), and a group of qualified deacons, provides for the most Biblical leadership structure.
Should Pastors lead or teach/exemplify whom and which to follow?
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/20/2008 10:03:10 AM
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ezerfi
Posts: 25
Joined: 11/11/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jn1010lf
Hello ezerfi
I would say that the true church is still being formed and perfected.
Will I be right to think, base on what you said that the "true church" is yet to be formed and does not exist today?
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RE: In Search For The Right CHURCH Whose Responsible Bu... - 11/20/2008 11:05:11 AM
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crankius
Posts: 4653
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ezerfi
quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
quote:
There are several approach of leadership that is common to churches, who should be heard and followed in the church?
Scripture gives us qualifications for elders and for deacons. I choose churches who take these qualifications seriously. Rather than a single head pastor (which is not in Scripture), churches should be led by a plurality of elders, meaning a group of men who meet the Biblical qualifications for elder, so that they can share accountability and leadership responsibilities.
A church with a single head pastor provides no accountability and leaves too much room for the arrogance of man, and a church led by committee is like being led by the Israelites who asked Aaron for a golden calf or who decided the promised land was too difficult to enter.
A plurality of qualified elders (with Christ as the chief shepherd), and a group of qualified deacons, provides for the most Biblical leadership structure.
Should Pastors lead or teach/exemplify whom and which to follow?
Each elder, just like all believers, is gifted for service.
Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
In addition, one qualification for elder is that he be able to teach. It is an elder's job to edify, teach, and keep the church to right doctrine.
Some passages on service of elders:
Prayer and Teaching (Acts 6:4)
Tending, Caring, Loving (John 21:15-19)
Shepherding (1 Peter 5:1-5)
Serving (Matthew 20:25-28)
Protecting the church/doctrine (Acts 20:28-31, Eph 4:11-15)
In a typical plurality of elders led church, one man may serve as the main pastor, as an equal among the elders. In a larger church there may be more than one elder serving in pastoral roles. But all the elders together lead the church and serve with their various gifts, teaching and edifying the Body.
There is one head shepherd of the church-- Jesus Christ. Elders and deacons serve as under-shepherds.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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