
The Kind of Church We Want to Be
by Jason Ashe
A church where the love of God is a foundation and continual revelation (John 17:23, Romans 5:5, 8:39).
A church were the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus never becomes old news (Revelation 5:9).
A church where God alone is glorified, not man (Matthew 5:14, John 7:18).
A church that is simply devoted to Jesus in love, that preaches the true gospel, is attested to by the true Holy Spirit, and rejects all counterfeits (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
A church where the members flee from the love of money and the love of honour (1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 6:10-11).
A church where mammon (material wealth) is under our feet (Matthew 6:24).
A church where living before God in private takes precedence over activity (Matthew 7:21-23, Hebrews 4:13, John 6:38).
A church where Satan has no authority (John 14:30, Matthew 16:18).
A church where no provision is made for the flesh (Romans 13:14).
A church were fellowship is determined by being born again, love for one another, and walking in the light (1 John 1:7).
A church where ministry begins in the home (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
A church where answered prayer (specific requests) is normal (John 15:7).
A church where unbelievers know us by our love for one another (John 15:12).
A church where every member is valued (John 15:12, 1 Corinthians 12).
A church where various gifts of the Spirit are active (1 Corinthians 14:1).
A church where all authority is given from God (Matthew 28:18-20).
A church where submission is understood, never imposed and joyfully embraced (Ephesians 5:21-22, 1 Corinthians 11, 1 Peter 5:1-4).
A church where the humble take leadership (where leaders are raised up from within rather than recruited) (Matthew 20:26, 1 Peter 5:3, Titus 1:5).
A church where children are taught to fear God by word and deed (Deuteronomy 6:7, Ephesians 6:4).
A church where the sisters are valued and continually encouraged to seek grace to do everything that a man cannot do (Titus 2:3-4, 1 Peter 3:1-6).
A church where the Word of God is revered (commandments are joyfully obeyed, warnings are considered and promises are believed with expectancy) (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 John 5:3, Mark 9:23, James 1:6).
A church where we constantly judge ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31, Psalm 139:23-24).
A church where no discouraging word is ever preached (Ephesians 4:29, 2 Corinthians 10:8, Hebrews 10:25).
A church where the freedom of justification is experienced (1 Corinthians 6:11).
A church where Jesus’ second coming is anticipated with excitement (1 Thessalonians 1:10, Revelation 22:20).
A church were people are taught by word and life to obey everything Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:20) .
A church were evangelism and outreach occurs organically (Acts 8:4).
A church that is New Covenant in life, doctrine, and pattern (Hebrews 8:10).