“My Church” or “My” Church: Which One Is It?: A Teaching on How Crucial the Church Is in God’S Plan and Purpose

By Clive Brown

This is an important book: a valuable book for learning and understanding. It is a book to read through and one to refer to repeatedly. I believe this book is an integral part in the study of the church and beneficial to all serious students of the Bible. The materials it contains will inform and edify you.

For some time now, it has been my desire to place within the hands and hearts of believers an introductory study on the teaching of the church, a book to help meet the needs of many who want to understand the New Testament teaching of the church and thus enrich their appreciation and use of the scriptures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Feb 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504998024

Clive Brown

Clive Brown has been an ordained minister for over twenty-five years, with many years of experience in crusades, seminars, conferences, pastoral care settings and teaching. He holds a certificate in theology (CertTheol) from the University of Birmingham, England; a bachelors of arts (honours) degree (BA) in theological studies from the University of Greenwich, England; and a masters of arts degree (MA) in theology (Pastoral Studies) from the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. Clive is currently engaged in writing notes for Bible study teaching, training materials for Christian ministry, and research work for Christian studies. For more information, please e-mail: [e-mail]. Order Books: AuthorHouse online store at: www.authorhouse.co.uk and www.authorhouse.com

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2016 Clive Brown. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/18/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9803-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9804-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9802-4 (e)

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One Church…: Defined

Chapter Two What The Church …Is Not

Chapter Three Church…: My Church

Chapter Four Christ Builds: His… Church

Chapter Five Church…: Purpose And Mission

Chapter Six Church…: Body Ministry

Chapter Seven My Church… Responsible Authority

Chapter Eight What Church Is…: Right?

Further Reading

About The Author

Coming Soon

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the King James Version of the Bible, Copyright © 1979 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965 by Zondervan Publishing House.

Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International version, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked TAB are taken from the Complete Apostles’ Bible, Copyright © 2003, 2004 by AuthorHouse.

Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked NASB is taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV is taken from: the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

-Dedication-

FOR THE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN CHURCH:

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

Shālôm!

The message of this book would not have found its way to paper, without the help, commitment and skill of beloved members of Christ and his church.

I am so thankful to God that the Lord brought us together.

To God be the glory!

— CLIVE BROWN

−Acknowledgments−

Paul, the Apostle wrote:

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"

(1 Thess. 5:18)

THIS BOOK REPRESENTS MUCH OF THE LEARNING I was privileged enough to be able to acquire, over many years, as a Christian.

I am deeply grateful to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, for their service of trust, encouragement and counsel through the years; their continuance love and contribution to my life, and continuous support and unselfish service always: thank you "Abba, Father."

"In all your ways acknowledge Him…"

(Prov. 3:6a, NKJV)

I also extend my thanks to The Publishers: AuthorHouse Publishing for their helpful and outstanding support, and excellent publishing work and design cover, thank you!

— Clive Brown

−Preface−

This is an important book: a valuable book for learning and understanding. It is a book to read through and one to refer to repeatedly. I believe this book is an integral part in the study of the Christian church and beneficial to all serious students of the Bible. If you are interested in what the church is, then this is essential reading. The materials it contains will inform and edify you. Moreover, I hope it will encourage and challenge you and you might even find yourself described in the pages!!!

For some time now, it has been my desire to place within the hands and hearts of believers an introductory study on the teaching of the church; a book to help meet the needs of many who want to understand the New Testament teaching of the church and thus enrich their appreciation and use of the Scriptures.

Knowledge is now increasing fast and the church need to be ready to receive that increase. Daniel, the Prophet predicted the increase (or growth) of coming knowledge [the development and intended maturity of God’s purpose and plan as revealed by his prophets] (Dan. 12:4b); so let the revealed knowledge of God, divine in its nature; prevail over all theological traditions, arguments or misinterpretations. You learn what you believe (Hos. 4:6a).

This book is composed of eight chapters, which present some of the introductory aspects of the most significant basics of the Christian, New Testament church. How should this book be approached? The Lord’s challenge to the lawyer, as recorded in Luke, is the challenge to all Christians (Luke 10:26). The importance of the church for present-day Christians cannot be overstated.

The first chapter looks at the Church…: Defined. The subsequent seven chapters present:

1. What the Church… is Not;

2. Church…: "My Church;"

3. Christ Builds… His Church;

4. Church…: Purpose and Mission;

5. Church…: Body Ministry;

6. My Church… Responsible Authority; and

7. What Church is Right…?

The contents of those chapters are to help Christians understand how crucial the Christian church is in God’s plan and purpose, so that the overall plan and purpose of God might be clearly perceived for the Christian and non-Christian.

— Clive Brown

−Introduction−

What definition would you give to the word church?

Is the church a building where people meet for worship or a much overstated, puffed up social gathering, similar to a social club, only for exclusive insiders? Would it be correct to say that church is the name we give to a statement of beliefs or preferred doctrines? Is it merely one more weekly preaching community, a private club or a cultured congregation with no relation to the past, present or future of all Christian believers in Christ? Might we conclude correctly that the word church represents a geographical area or a group of professing Christians? On the other hand, could it be that church represent all who are in Christ or unaffiliated with Christ.

This word church has come to mean a number of different things to people and has attracted a number of negative attitudes. In the lives of many people, the church has lost its credibility and its influence, and for that reason, some conclude that churches are full of hypocrites. Are there not hypocrites everywhere?

Others do not want anything to do with church and consider church unimportant, not relevant or not having meaning to the world they live in, and so, church becomes unnecessary to them or simple boring. Some do not understand what the church is. Others may well avoid attending church because they feel out of place or fear rejection. Many are of the opinion that church is cliquish, too busy and self-centred. Some people may show an interest in church but avoid anything that could make demands on them. Some can encounter strong resistance concerning their participation in church.

Many grow up in church, but after growing up they tend to leave the church out of their lives and that of their children.

It is common to hear people say, the church isn’t a building or I am the church, so I don’t need go ‘to church’. One of the most difficult challenges associated with these statements is to understand where people are coming from. Could it be understood that the leading reasons behind such statements is that people have become wounded or hurt, disillusioned or dissatisfied with their experience in church that they decide it is not for them or perhaps, to some extent, a number of them are self-centred instead of Christ-centred.

In addition, others may have the idea (or of the opinion) that church is there for them; that whatever need they may have, they can get many of them met in church. Interestingly, many become Christians to see what God could do for them… and then become disappointed, if things do not go their way.

Additionally, many professing Christians might attend church solely for the endorsed leadership namely: senior pastors, bishops or leaders of recognition serve them or give them something of worth.

Do we selfishly and greedily care about ourselves? What could the answer be? Could it be that somehow, the world has moved sneakily into church (1 Corinthians, the church at Corinth; see also, Rev. 3:14-22, the church at Laodicea).

Many Christians decide that they can get what they need without fellowshipping with other believers, and for that reason, they minimise participation in church or their participation is token and sporadic.

The big question confronting everyone is, what church is right…? Are you searching anxiously through many books for the answer to this question? Anyone who believes in Christ will have a vital interest in the answer to this question. The question will be addressed as this overview of the church unfolds. By looking to the Word of God, we can make the right choice! On the other hand, are you prepared to accept the fact; the church is what it is. Maybe, this statement could be something for us to consider!

In today’s modern-day Christianity, many churches are divided and many declare themselves to be doctrinally right: and claim to have a premium or the best position on truth, particularly when they say; we are special or we are better than…, which Jude describes as "…they who separate themselves…" (v. 19a), referring to those who display sectarian pride, which sounds spiritual, but it is pride! It gives the impression that the church is to be the exclusive possession of a limited few. Highlighted, however, is one of the most encouraging truths on the church (see Matt. 16:18).

Let us take a closer look at the purpose of this book.

How is the book to be read? Should it be treated like a workshop manual and dipped into only when there is a problem to solve or a question to answer?

This book is neither a theological discussion nor about doctrinal debates, or a pre-packaged how-to manual of ideas, philosophies or sound bites to establish and run a thriving, exciting or lively church. It is not written with updates or revised instructions or promotional materials or 7-steps that focuses on church growth such as; building bigger buildings (or to over build, as many do!) to hold more people, process more activities or self-styled in-house ministries, or to have the best youth services, or the best programmes or fashionable church services; better music or church choir. What I have written is not a thousand things to learn the secret of growing huge churches such as, mega congregations or worldwide denominations?

In mega churches and worldwide denominations, people can go for years without getting to know most of the other members; with many pastors somehow, disappearing with an entourage after the service, never meeting many people for years.

Mega or large churches can be good, and likewise, small ones can be good. I often think that churches should always be a matter of both, and not, one or the other.

Every church has their own identity, structure and expectations; however, I often find that there is a plethora of churches with a corporate mentality: many thinking that having the latest ministries gives them credence as doing what Jesus commanded.

If we misunderstand the meaning of identity and service, we would always presume that we have it all.

More importantly: if we are followers of Christ, in him, we are to find our identity and service: not in the group we belong to, members of, or in partnership with; but in our Lord, "the Christ…" (Matt. 16:16). Thus we are to minister to every person we meet; a ministry depicting the purpose and mission of Jesus (Matt. 28: 18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 19:10; 24:45-47; John 20:21 and Acts 1:8). Is this how Jesus lived?

Do we pride ourselves in church programmes, feeling we are doing what Jesus