Subject: The Practices of the Church

Subject Details

The Practices of the Church

(Also see Pastor Jim’s book, Dispatches from the Front Lines: The Glory and Grind of Pastoral Ministry)

Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

In these messages, Pastor Jim will explain these facets of the Church: 1) its polity (government) and leadership, 2) the exercising of spiritual gifts, 3) the prescription for male and female roles, 4) the prescription for church discipline, and 5) the principles for resolving church disputes. (Again, this will be listed as an outline, but will not be functional.)

1. Church polity and leadership
Acts 6:1-3
Acts 6:4-7
Acts 13:2-5
Acts 20:17-21
1 Timothy 5:17-20
1 Timothy 5:21-23
Titus 1:5-7
Titus 1:7-9
Titus 1:9-13
Titus 1:13-16

2. Male and female roles
Acts 12:24-13:1
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
1 Timothy 2:4-15
Titus 1:16-2:3
Titus 2:4-5
Titus 2:6-10

3. Church unity and diversity of gifts
Ephesians 4:3-16

4. Church discipline
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
1 Timothy 5:17-20

5. Church disputes
1 Corinthians 1:7-11
1 Corinthians 1:12-23
Acts 6:1-3
Acts 6:4-7
Acts 15:36-41
Philippians 4:1-3
James 4:1-4
James 4:4
James 4:5-7a
James 4:7b-8
James 4:9-10
James 4:11-13