A Short Ecclesiology:

The Church:
God uses the gospel to create a people in Christ, ordered by God’s Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, responsible for life together and sent on mission.

1. What creates the church?
The Gospel, proclaimed in God’s Word, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

2. What is the church?
A recognized, called out, and sent-out people, living in and under Christ.

3. How is the church led?
Under the headship of Christ,
    -the congregation follows the Word and the Holy Spirit,
     -elders lead and guard the church, and
     -deacons serve and support the church.

4. What is the church responsible for?
Local churches:
     -identify themselves as the church,
     -govern themselves under Christ,
     -guard and teach sound doctrine,
     -provide for their own needs, and
     -multiply themselves through mission.

5. What does the church do?
The church gathers around faith in God and His Word:
     (a) Preaching and teaching
     (b) Worship
     (c) Prayer
The church shares life as a loving covenant community in:
     (d) Membership
     (e) Fellowship
     (f) Accountability and Discipline
     (g) Giving
     (h) Baptism
     (i) The Lord’s Supper
The church grows and is formed through:
     (j) discipleship
     (k) leadership.
The church accomplishes its mission through:
     (l) evangelism

6. Where is the church going?
The church is sent on mission, bringing the hope of the gospel to the world.