The Church

Question 1

What are some of the metaphors used in Scripture to describe the Church?

Answer 1

• Marriage - Eph 5
  
  • Purity
• Building/Temple - Ephesians 2:21
  
  • Place of worship - presence of God
• Body - 1 Cor 12
  
  • Service
• Family/Household - 1 Peter 2: 17
  
  • Caring/loving/relationships

Question 2

What is the Scriptural mission of the Church?

Answer 2

• Matthew 28 - Go and make disciples

- Acts 1:8 - Be witnesses

Question 3

What Scriptural ordinances are practiced in the C&MA?

Answer 3

• Baptism - Romans 6:3

- Communion - 1 Corinthians 11, Luke 22

Question 4

What is the significance of these ordinances?

Answer 4

• Baptism
  
  • Public proclamation that we are followers of Christ
• Communion
  
  • Remembering the broken body and death of Christ
  • Remember that he is coming again
  • Remember that we are one body

Question 5

What is the Scriptural procedure of church discipline?

Answer 5

• Matthew 18 is the primary
• Galatians 6 - Restore gently
• 1 Tim 5:19-20 - Elders

Question 6

What are the Scriptural qualifications for pastors/elders and church leaders?

Answer 6

• Almost all about character
  
  • 1 Tim 3 -
  • Titus 1 -

Question 7

What is the Scriptural definition of shepherding?

Answer 7

• Leading and helping guide people to Christ
• 1 Peter 5:1-4 - knowing the sheep
• John 10 - Good Shepard
• Ezekial 34 - lamenting lack of good shephards
• Acts 20 - Protecting the flock

Question 8

What is the relationship between the pastor and the governance authority of the local church?

Answer 8

• The pastor is a co-elder with the governance authority. The lead pastor will normally be the one giving overall direction to the church, submitting to the governance authority
• This includes Romans 13 - be subject to those in authority
  
  • Look to Christ about submission to the Father
• 1 Tim 5:17 - Elders who direct well, and especially do teaching/preahing, are worthy of double honor

Question 9

How would you deal with a conflict between you and a member of the governance authority in your church?

Answer 9

• Matthew 18
  
  • Talk with them individually
  • Bring someone else if necessary after talking individually
  • Discuss with the DS/Asst DS

Question 10

What is your attitude about your personal convictions that may conflict with the church you serve?

Answer 10

It would depend on the particular conviction. If there are ways of lovingly conveying the differences, I would do that. If it really doesn’t matter, I won’t bring it up.

Question 11

What is the kingdom of God?

Answer 11

• Mostly in the book of Matthew
  - Matt 6 - Lord’s Prayer
  - Matt 13 - God is working out
  - Matt 18 -Under the rule of Christ