The primitive church whose early days are recorded in scripture was remarkably effective. We can read of occasions on which 3,000 and 5,000 new members were added in one day. The rulers of the day said of the young church that it was turning the world upside down. It changed lives on a grand scale.
Elder Harter teaches from 1 Timothy 3:14-15 that the church today should hold and support the same truth as was presented in that day. And even though we do not have among us eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should pray for fervor and a measure of the effectiveness given to that early church. We should seek to make a difference in the lives of our members and the community in which we are planted.
The church needs effective servant leaders. It needs clear, functional goals so we know where we’re going and when we get there. It may be recognized by what it gives its members and those whom it serves: fellowship, discipleship, support for the family, biblical counseling, teaching of scripture and morality, and community outreach. It should be known for members who encourage each other and their neighbors with prayer, and when necessary, the sacrifice of time and money. The church should adapt, within the parameters defined by the Bible, to the circumstances of time and location so that it reaches the largest number of God’s children possible. Most importantly it should be known as a place where God is given glory in true worship. All of these marks will be absent if God’s Spirit is not found among us, so the presence of God’s Spirit should be our foremost prayer as we seek to become a more effective church.
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