So What Is The Church Anyway?

I had a truly great time on Friday night with the 25-35's. We had a 4 course meal on the Waipa Delta. Mmmmm. Oh the things I do for Jesus : )

I'm starting to think about some series topics for 09. Topics like 'The Bible and its authority'; 'How to be worshipers'; 'How to judge others'. What are some topics that you feel we really need to cover as a church?

I have been listening to a really great pod cast (no, not my own one... oh shucks you guys). Its one by Mark Driscoll, the lead pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Its called, 'Putting preachers in their place.' You can grab it off iTunes, its well worth the listen!

Anyway with all the talk in our post modern society about House Churches, Missional Churches that meet in pubs or on nature walks and bike rides... it leaves us with the question... well what exactly is the church? Is it just 2 people getting together over a beer? Is it a gathering on the internet?

This is Mark Driscoll's definition of the church:
"The local church is a community of confessing believers in Jesus Christ who obey Scripture by organizing under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship and scatter to evangelize and care for people everywhere. The observe the Biblical sacraments of baptism and communion, are unified by the Spirit for mission in the world and are disciplined to live out the great commandment and the great commission to the glory of God."

A bit of a mouthful, but lets look at the 5 main points in there:

1. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ.
2. The church is organized under Qualified leaders.
3. The Bible is rightly preached.
4. The sacraments are rightly administered.
5. Church discipline is rightly administered.

Using these 5 points a lot of what is promoted as the way church 'should be' by the House Church people and some of the Missional models really fall short!

What are your thoughts about the above?

Till next time...
Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive