Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

From 26^th May 2005:

In this session we are going to look more closely at the practical working out of a church. Where does final authority lie?

Background

Church has an eternal, international, regional and local expression. Here, we are part of EECC.

Four weeks ago we saw that scripture shows each local church is made from a clearly defined group of people.

Three weeks ago we saw that scripture speaks of responsibility, commitment, identity and love that belonging to a church implies.

Two weeks ago we considered the question of ‘Who can belong?’ to that clearly defined group and saw that it includes those who have repented, are baptised disciples, and who gave themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship to the breaking of bread and prayer and care for one another.

Last week we began to look at just how that defined group of people can operate together, and saw from scripture that this working together - called Congregationalism - works. Firstly we asked where the authority to make the decisions - in line with the Bible - lies.

"Congregationalism" - part 2

This week we are going to look more closely at the practical working  when the members of a local church having the final authority.

1. Think of any group of people acting on a given task, be it building a house, playing football, even studying the Bible: what is usually needed for that group to make progress?

2. From your overall knowledge of scripture, how does God tend to organise any group of people: be it a nation, a group of disciples, a family or even a marriage? What is required for that group to function and make progress? Give some scriptural references.