Fundamental Church Principles

Two fundamental principles should guide how we "will be church": the gospel and the community. We are called to a dual fidelity:

• Fidelity to the central content of the gospel

• Fidelity to the primary context of a believing community

Regardless of whether we are thinking about evangelism, social involvement, pastoral work, defense of the faith, discipleship, or teaching, the content is always the Christian gospel, and the context is the Christian community. Our identity as Christians is defined by the gospel and by the community.

Being Missional

Being missional and centered on the gospel involves two dimensions:

• Word-Centered: The gospel is a word, a message that must be proclaimed.

• Mission-Centered: The gospel is the good news, a missionary message that must be shared.

Principles of Christian Practice

We can identify three principles that should guide Christian practice:

• Focus on the gospel: As a message to be proclaimed.

• Focus on missions: As a call to action and engagement.

• Focus on community: As the context in which we live out and practice our faith.

The Importance of Practical Theology

The theology that truly matters is not just what we profess but what we practice.

As John Stott states:

"Our static, inflexible, and centralized structures are 'heretical structures' because they incorporate a heretical doctrine in the church. If our structure has become an end in itself, rather than a means to save the world, it is a heretical structure."

Meanings of Being Centered on the Gospel and Community

Being centered on the gospel and community can mean:

• Identity of the Church: Seeing the church as an identity, not just as a responsibility.

• Celebrating Common Life: Talking about God should be a normal feature of our daily conversations.

• Sharing Life: Spending less time on evangelistic events and more time sharing life with non-Christians.

• Starting New Congregations: Focusing on creating new communities instead of just growing existing ones.

• Communion Conversations: Preparing discussions about the Bible with others, rather than studying alone.

• Continuous Approach: Adopting a continuous approach to mission and pastoral care, not just starting ministry programs.

• Learning and Action: Shifting the emphasis from biblical teaching to learning and practicing biblical actions.

• Social Inclusion: Spending more time with people excluded from society.

• Mutual Edification: Learning to build each other up and be built up daily.

• Authentic Churches: Seeking churches that are problematic yet authentic, rather than dissimulated.

  
  

Conclusion

The church is not just a gathering we attend or a place we enter. It is an identity that belongs to us in Christ.

References

• Timmis, Steve, and Chester, Tim. Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2007, pp. 17-20.

• Stott, John. The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007.

• Timmis and Chester, pp. 19-20.