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INFORMATION
MINISTRY
STAFF
EDUCATION
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What is an Independent Local Church?
Local
churches have been in existence since the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem
in the First Century (Acts 2). Because Christ said He would build His
church (Matthew 16:18), groups of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as
Savior have gathered together all across the world to form local
congregations. In those congregations they could worship Him, teach His
Word, evangelize the community, and practice the ordinances of baptism
and the Lord's Table. He indeed was building His church.
Through the
centuries, many local congregations have chosen to identify with various
groups and associations (often called in America "denominations").
Today, many people can only conceive of a group of churches with one
authoritative, central office and one leading officer who directs the
affairs of all the associated churches. This kind of church organization
is usually controlled by the central administrative authority of the
church group and the designated officers. The church lands and buildings
in this kind of organization are usually owned by the group itself, and
not by the local church's members. Pastors for each of these churches
are directed by the central office and are usually told in which of the
group's churches they will serve and for how long they will serve there.
Money is also an issue in these kinds of churches: each local church
must send to the central office a certain, designated, mandatory amount
of money each year for maintaining the central office, its officers, and
its programs. In time, problems often arise in these kinds of church
groups over issues like control ("who is in charge of the group and each
of our churches?"), authority ("who will make the decisions for our
group and each of the churches?"), and doctrinal integrity ("what will
all of us believe as the core teachings and distinctives of our
group?").
But is this
the only way to understand how local churches are to be governed?
Throughout
history there have been independent local churches free from outside
control, dependent simply upon the Lord Jesus as the Head, the Holy
Spirit as the Power, and the Bible as the Guide. The churches
established by the First Century apostles of Christ began as independent
local churches. Those churches were self-governing which means they:
The churches
begun by the First Century apostles of Christ were also self-supporting
which means they:
Following
this pattern, each of today's independent local churches depends upon
the Holy Spirit's direction (Acts 13:1-3) and chooses its own name,
government and programs. It is free to call its own pastor and invite
into its pulpit any speakers it considers true to the Word of God. It is
also free to seek God's direction in supporting those evangelistic
ministries they find Scripturally acceptable and choosing the Christian
education materials they believe are best to teach Bible truths to their
people. They are also free to support whatever schools and institutions
they believe are valuable for training their own young people and
preparing their men for the Gospel ministry; mandatory obligation to
protect a tradition or an investment is not involved in an independent
local church's decision to support an educational institution.
But the
concept of the independent local church can be greatly misrepresented in
the sinful actions of the church people. If the church leaders and
congregation are not obedient to the Bible and refuse to be humbly
directed by the Holy Spirit, they can degenerate into warring factions
in the church (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-9) and domineering leaders
lustful for control and power (1 Peter 5:3; 3 John 9). Even though the
New Testament teaches the autonomy of the local independent church under
the Lordship of Jesus Christ, autonomy is meant that each church grows
in its dependence upon the Lord. He is the Head of each church and He
demands their godly submission in all areas of church life. They are to
look to Him for the provision of their every need as a church. This type
of church government encourages prayer, faith, and spiritual growth
among all of its members.
Also, the
concept of the independent local church can be greatly misunderstood to
justify isolationism and a spirit of exclusivity. Remember that the body
of Christ transcends all earthly denominations and organizations
(Ephesians 1:22-23). It is composed of all who have trusted Christ as
Savior, regardless of organizational affiliation. Biblically independent
churches strive to be loyal to Christ and His Word rather than to any
organization. They seek to establish, preserve, and expand local
churches according to the New Testament pattern. Yet the First Century
apostles of Christ also encouraged cooperative interdependence between
local churches:
IFCA International establishes an organizational structure to coordinate and encourage joint participation in mutual activities and ministries (interdependence). IFCA International provides this while guaranteeing the autonomy of the local church (independence). IFCA International churches are identified by a common doctrinal position, in contrast to today's ecclesiastical scene which is marked by doctrinal carelessness and attempts at unity through minimizing Scriptural convictions. We maintain doctrinal integrity and the independence of the local church, but we do so without an exclusive spirit of isolation. We enjoy the fellowship, encouragement, and associations among our member churches, organizations, and individuals.
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South County Bible Church 4111 Von Talge Road Saint Louis, Missouri 63127 (314) 487-6868 |
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