What is a church?

A church is:

• A peculiar group of people gather out and able to congregate to be together.
• These people are all "born again".
• These people are immersed (baptised) identifying them as unique and purposed to be separated from the pre saved days.
• The church has a defined membership. The main ingredient of this definition is immersion.
• All illustrations of the church indicate that it is made up of congregations according to locality. It is seen by people as local churches. While there is a clear concept of a "universal" church in scriptures, this concept applies characteristics which are only manifest in local churches while it applies principles which relate to all who are apart of local churches.
• A church is marked by a system of belief, such as agreeing upon particular of doctrine.
  • Just because a church has a declared system of beliefs, it does not mean that such beliefs can or should be forced upon individuals.
  • The concept of individual soul liberty means that an individual, has freedom to come or leave a particular church fellowship based upon what they have become convinced is the correct opinion of God. While they may not have the right to press their individual interpretation or opinion upon others within the church, the principle of a statement of doctrine is that those of like mind agree to covenant together and work together. Those of a different opinion should be free to leave and associate as persons accountable to God.
• A church has organization
  • There is a primary leader described as pastor, elder, bishop.
  • There are others designated as deacons.
• A church gathers regularly, tipocally on the first day of the week for worship.
  • They sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs.
  • There is instruction from the Word of God.
  • The gathering is characterized by occasions of prayer.
  • There is sharing testimony of how God works in each other's lives and giving of praise.
  • There is an ingathering of financial or equivilent resources often called tithes and offerings.
  • They periodically remember the Lord's death burrial and resurrection through the "Lords Table" sometimes called communion.(This is a church gathered function, not an individual or private group activity.)
• A church will expect it's members to live according to holiness.
  • When there are those who offend, there is a specific procedure to deal with this.
  • When there are those who ignorant of holiness there is a coming along side and correcting through teaching and example.
  • When there is rebellion there is a call to separate from.
  • When there is false teaching there is a marking or identifying of the teaching and the teacher.
  • Members will be as servants to other members according to their need and according to friendship and love. This habit typocally is extended to those outside the membership as strength enables.
• A church will reach out in service to those beyond the congregation.
  • To advance the spread of the gospel to those in the community, region, and around the world.
  • To care for believers in other locations who have urgent need.