In the last few years, the definition of a local church has seemed to expand exponentially. For many of us, when we think about church, we envision a place where people go once or more times per week to gather for worship, teaching and fellowship. So, when we use the term “church” we often ask, “What church do you go to?” The idea being that church is associated with a time and a place each week.
In recent years many have begun to question the idea that a church is a place you go, and have responded with new forms of ministry, sometimes completing eliminating the need for a place to go, while focusing on ministry and service to those around them.
During my last pastorate at Derby Friends Church, we used to begin our worship gatherings by asking the question, “Who is the church?” The congregation would respond by saying, “We are the church and we exist for the world”. Those statements said nothing about the need, or lack of need, for a building but focused on the idea that the church is not a place, but the people who make up that church.
In recent years it has felt like there has been a growing tension between the “traditional” church and the “missional” church. The traditional church is often protective of their “gatherings”, while the missional church is protective of their “goings”. The missional church was birthed to re-emphasize the fact that the church was created to be on mission in the world. Sometimes over time traditional churches forget that important aspect of their purpose. On the other hand, the traditional church values gathering, and sometimes missional churches lose sight of the need for fellowship, community and corporate worship.
Having said that, it seems to me from a biblical perspective that this is not an either/or proposition but it must be a both/and one if we are going to be the church Jesus created to care for His people and reach the world.
Shortly after Kristin and I were married we were introduced to the “Navigator” organization, which exists to “Know Christ and Make Him Known”. It was about discipleship, (not intending to be a substitute for the local church) although its purpose statement could fit nicely above the door of a biblically based church. We are called to know Jesus, through worship, teaching and fellowship so we can make him known through evangelism and discipleship. Both are important.
In light of this discussion, our Home Missions leadership has recently attempted to more clearly define what we call a “church”, as we embark upon this new season of church planting. It seems that a true church must have components of worship, fellowship, evangelism/discipleship, stewardship and service.
Some ministries that we are launching these days have a very clear mission, which is vital to their community and serves a clear role in the Kingdom of God but are not intended to fulfill all of the purposes of a local church. Rather than trying to fit those ministries into becoming a full-fledged church we are beginning to give them a new name: “Mission Point”.
Other ministries begin with the intention of fulfilling the multi-faceted purposes of a local church found in scripture. Those we are calling “Church Plants”.
Neither is better than the other. Both have a distinct purpose which is determined by why they were created. So, in the days ahead you will likely hear terms like “mission points” and “church plants”. When you do, please recognize that both are of equal value, but simply have a different purpose in the Kingdom of God as we work together to fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment among Friends in Mid-America.
Thayne A. Thompson, DMin
EFC-MAYM Lead Superintendent
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