How do we apply these principles?
- Ownership or Stewardship? Church leaders must lead as shepherds of God’s flock, not cattle drivers on their own ranch. So when we talk about “household rules,” we must be sure we are not imposing our own ideas, but implementing God’s will. Peter is clear about this (1 Peter 5:1-4) as is Paul in Acts 20. There is no place for self-assured dictators or manipulators or those who would enslave others. On the other hand, there should be a quiet confidence in the authority of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit.
- Methods or Principles? While principles do not change, methods are quite variable. This is why no two churches are alike, nor should they be expected to be. There always are attempts to clone churches in the likeness of the “Mother Church,” leading to cult-like adherence to manmade rules. So Paul constantly warns against both the abuse of the Law AND lawlessness! A church is a living organism, pulsating with the very life of God, and our task is more like tending and pruning a vine than manufacturing a product. Jesus, who has died for the churches, watches over them, gifts them, and blesses them. The job of leaders is to facilitate the church’s growth according to its own DNA. Revelation 2, 3
- Create or Proclaim? While creativity is welcome in methods, the central message should be defended against all innovation. God has acted and spoken into human history, culminating in the one theme, JESUS! Hebrews 1:1-3