It really doesnt matter whether I go to church. I have Christian friends, Bible classes, and chapels at 51蹤獲; why do I need a church? Ive heard some version of this statement at least three times during the past week. Although many 51蹤獲 students truly understand the importance of the local church and are actively involved in their churches, some of our students still dont get it. They think that they already have plenty of access to good Bible teaching, fellowship, worship services, and opportunities to go on short-term missions trips. So whats the big deal about the local church?
In addition to my faculty responsibilities at 51蹤獲, I am a member of a pastoral team at a local church (www.graceevfree.org). We do not have a senior pastor. Our understanding of this is captured in two ministry values, namely Elder Leadership and Spirit-led Decision Making. It is my hope that the following summary of these ministry values might challenge you in your understanding of how the body of Christ is to function.
If weve learned anything about Romans in recent years from the New Perspective folks, it is that Romans is not just about me and God. Its also about me and you. Paul, in fact, leverages many of the familiar soteriological truths that we typically associate with the book of Romans in the service of what I take (at least in part) to be an ecclesiological agenda. The church at Rome was apparently divided along ethnic lines. Pauls letter to the Romans represents (among other things) the apostles concerted effort to address the issue, in order to restore some inter-racial harmony in the congregation.
I have found it rather easy over the years to convince our Talbot students of the value of expository preaching. The challenge comes when our students leave the classroom and find themselves ministering to church folks who live in a sound-bite culture, and who have a strong affinity for topical sermons that scratch em where they itch.
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