Your Part in the Restoration - 4
Starting a New Local Work
By Dave Brown
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OK, you have looked all over, tried to contact Christians in your area, asked everyone you know, searched the Internet, and you still cannot find a church that you can conscientiously work and worship with that is close enough to you to make it practical. Let me just say that yours is a unique and awesome opportunity – to begin a new work in your area. This must have been the same challenge facing the Ethiopian man who was converted in Acts 8 as he “went on his way rejoicing.” In this article we will present the authority for, and hopefully some tips to help you in this endeavor.
Before getting started we ask you to consider the image at the top of this page -- it represents some friends gathering around to consider a subject of mutual interest. This is a common occurrence as men work together to set up clubs, societies and perhaps a local neighborhood watch program. There would be a few differences here if they people were gathered together to establish a new local work -- as Paul did when he went to new areas with the gospel. We would expect the differences would include: (1) those with whom you are discussing establishing a local church are Christians just like you are with the strong desire to do only what the Lord would have them to do with regard to organizing a new local work, (2) you have agreed with them to let the Lord direct the work through His written word, the New Testament, and you want to glorify him in every way possible through this new collective effort.
Most of the details will work themselves out as you get started in worshiping and working together, so do not feel compelled to establish a charter in an attempt to cover all eventualities -- a step that would be required if you were starting some organization of man. But you agree that the bible is your only charter, and as such moving forward becomes a fairly simple process. We can only think of a few things that will need to be worked out and agreed upon at this time, most of which are fairly easy to resolve. For example:
- How often and when do you plan on meeting? The New Testament indicates that Christians met on the first day of the week (Acts. 20:7), but this is in no way restrictive. The indication in Acts 2:46 is that some of the early Christians may have met on a daily basis. When there is no definitive example specified, the decision should be made that in your opinion best brings glory to God.
- Where do you plan to meet? There are a variety of examples of meeting places in the New Testament, and so this too is a matter of expediency. Most new works probably find that borrowing a place to meet -- perhaps in one of the member's home -- would be best.
- Then there are the various housekeeping chores -- someone will need to agree to handle the treasury to which weekly contributions will be made (1 Cor. 16:1-2), and perhaps if some initial purchase are necessary (e.g., for songbooks), this might be a consideration.
- If you do not need to resolve something at this initial meeting, defer it until a better time -- the timing of a decision is as important as the decision itself, in that more information will accrue as time goes by.
It is important to recognize the scriptural principle of Acts 6 in appointing men over particular area where they have expertise and allowing them the latitude to make decision in behalf of the church restricted to these areas. In time the new local church may grow to a point in size and maturity where it will have men that can be appointed as elders and deacons, but this should not be considered a limitation at this point. It is interesting to note that Acts 6 does not refer to the men as deacons who were appointed for a special purpose (to watch over the distribution of resources to the needy widows among them). While they did not hold the office deacon, they did assume a particular function and they served the church faithfully in this regard.
It is very important to be assured that the starting of a new work is a rightful thing for any Christian to do. Most of all, please recognize: This requires no sanctioning from any pre-existing organization or group. Your only obligation is to the Lord. He made it clear in Matt 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The only authority you need is that of Jesus and as a Christian you already have it by virtue of the great commission (Mt. 28:18-19). Jesus did not say you had to check with the Pope or any denominational entity in satisfying these commands through a local church. In the letter to the Galatians Paul makes it quite clear that he did not need to clear anything with the apostles at Jerusalem. This principle of autonomy is given to us for a very good reason -- it is the way that the Lord wants things to be.
Many of the churches that we read about in the New Testament were relatively small groups that were started by even smaller groups of individuals. Many met, initially at least, in individual’s homes. Just to impress this fact, the following is a listing of first century “house” churches that we read about in the New Testament: (1) Priscilla and Aquila (Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19); (2) Nymphas (Col. 4:15); and (3) Philemon (Philemon 2). In addition, we have examples of the upper rooms of houses being used to gather the church together (e.g., Acts 20:8).
We do not mean to leave the impression (as some are falsely teaching) that “house churches” are the only example that we have, and are thus binding. There is no unique example for the church meeting place. They met where it was most expedient to meet. For example, in addition to members homes, we have examples of them meeting in the temple (Acts 2:46), in the Jewish synagogue that was borrowed for this purpose (Acts 19:8), in a private school that was made available (Acts 19:9), and even in buildings that were acquired for this purpose (James 2:2 – this could be an example of where an entire synagogue was converted). It is a common ploy to try to ridicule those who are attempting to restore New Testament Christianity by asking them why they do not meet in an upper room. We follow the New Testament example when we avail ourselves of the best most expedient meeting place, even it it is under a tree,
The resources set aside to facilitate the meeting of a local church depend totally on the number of Christians involved and the resources that they can gather and contribute to the Lord for this purpose. A large group might rent, borrow or purchase a building to meet in. A smaller group might begin by meeting in the house of one of the members or borrow a place (e.g., a vacant store front).
What we are saying is that the absence of a dedicated building is not a reason for a church to fail to meet together. If this church is only composed of two or three, so be it. We recommend that if you feel that the best alternative for you to serve God is by having the church meet in your home (it might just be your family), then you should consider the following:
- Establishing a sign -- perhaps a temporary one that is only put up on meeting days, stating some to the effect that “a church of Christ meets here” and giving the times of services.
- Placing ads of your intent and practice in the local newspaper or radio station.
- Letting Christians in other places and especially in nearby towns know where you are and what you are doing.
- Putting the details of the local church on the various web sites that have been established for that purpose.
Generally what we are saying is that your group is a legitimate church! Do not be reluctant to act like it! Let other Christians know, but more importantly, let those of the world know where you are and where you stand.
Conducting services could be quite difficult if you have never done anything like that before. But rest assured, the Lord is with you (Matt. 18:20). Your singing will be beautiful to Him, as will all of your worship no matter how feeble you might think it appears to men. God’s power is made perfect in our physical weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9).
We realize that some of our readers may be in areas like the Ethiopian in Acts 8, who had little if any guidance from other Christians. Of course, you have access to information sources that he never did, and potential aid from Christians from around the world. Recognize the acts of worship that the local church is both authorized (see the Authority article topic) and required to engage in, and thus make provision for the following in your services:
Prayer – collectively as a group with someone leading – Acts 4:23-28;
Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16;
The Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26:19-30; Mark 14:16-26; Luke 22:13-20; Acts 20:7;
Preaching and/or bible reading – Colossians 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; and
Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
Detailed articles on the above subjects are referenced on to detailed articles on the BibleThought.net archived articles page.
This use of money contributed to the Lord is not to be taken lightly. If just one family involved, then the money should be set aside as dedicated to the Lord and used only for scriptural purposes. When the church grows and others are involved, it is essential that the amount and use of the funds be totally open and known to all so that things are done honorably in the sight of all men (see 2 Cor. 8:21, which is in the context of the use of funds contributed by Christians). Funds may be used to facilitate and support any scriptural act of worship or scriptural work of the church.
We hope this "restoration" series of articles will get you and many others started in your collective service to the Lord. Just think of how God would be glorified if there were a work in every city in the world, no matter how larger or small.
If we can be of any assistance in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. The final article in the restoration series is a case study of some who decided to just follow the New Testament in their service to God. Click on the Your Part in the Restoration landing page below to access this article.
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