John MacArthur has a post up about ties that bind; things that local churches must have in common. His list is good and includes:
A high view of God
The absolute authority of scripture
Sound doctrine
Personal holiness
Spiritual authority
I don’t think this list, while good, (and the explanations under each topic are outstanding) is complete. the first comment on the post points out the need for a church to be outward focused. I especially liked the comment of Mark Sohmer which was:
Commitment to Reaching Out to the Lost
As Spurgeon said, “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” 1860.
What else could be added to the list, if anything?
Donald Miller felt angry going to church for a long time and prayed that God would show him the church where he should be. What he loves about his new church is:
1. It is spiritual- people pray and fast about things. Rather than the church serving itself, the church is serving the lost and lonely.
(THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE ON MY LIST-ji)
2. Art- an outlet for artists
3. Community- living, eating, playing together.
(THAT DEFINITELY BRINGS JOY TO LIFE-ji)
4. Authenticity- he doesn’t have to pretend to be godly in order for people to listen. It feels better to have people love the real me than the me I invented.
(THIS IS IMPORTANT, TOO, IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE WORLD, THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE TO LEARN A NEW CULTURE TO BE ACCEPTED)
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