Church Operation

The local church has 3 primary functions: to worship & honor Jesus, to build up its people into Christ likeness & to reach out to those who are not a part of it. These 3 components of healthy Church operation can be described as follows:

  • Up: This is the Church's relationship towards God

  • In: This is the Church's relationship towards its members

  • Out: This is the Church's relationship towards those who are not part of the Church

Up: Relationship Towards the Lord Almighty

The Church is to have the following relationship towards the Lord:

  • To worship & love Him (John 4:23-24, Matthew 22:37)

  • To sit at His feet and listen (Luke 10:39)

  • To ask Him for His kingdom and will to be done on earth (Matthew 6:9-13)

In: Relationship Towards the Church

The Church is to have the following relationship towards its people:

  • Making sure no person in the church is in need (Acts 4:34)

  • Providing ways for followers of Jesus to grow & mature (Ephesians 4:12)

  • To look after the spiritual health of people a part of it (Ephesians 4:11–13, Acts 20:28 )

  • Be a place of prayer & fellowship in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17, Philippians 2:1–2, Matthew 21:13)

  • Expel those who live in unrepentant sin to protect the church with the hope of the transgressor’s restoration (Matthew 18:14-22, 1 Corinthians 5:5-13, 2 Corinthians 2:1-11, Romans 16:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Out: Relationship Towards those Outside the Church

The Church is to have the following relationship towards those not in the Church

  • Tell people about Jesus (Romans 10:14-15)

  • Look after orphans & widows (James 1:27)

  • Remember & help the poor (Galatians 2:10)

  • Proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand and a message of repentance (Matthew 10:7)

  • Promote & live out justice & mercy (Isaiah 58:6-7, Micah 6:8)

  • Love & serve those around them (Matthew 22:39, Luke 10:25-37)

  • Make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)