The Relational Church Church In The Home V1 ~2008 ---> V2 2024 R. L. Faber   other trend   church   early church

Preface: This article is written with the believer in mind who has been a Christian for many years and cares about the church. He must care about the church enough to know God's Word well and follow God's Word above modern church ways. He must care about the church even if he is not allowed to be part of the modern church for conscience related reasons.

Preparation: We would like you to be familiar with NTRF articles. ^1.ntrf   These materials should provide a good background and foundation for our article (with the Bible as the main foundation).

If you skip this introductory material then we would not be surprised if you are not prepared for our article. It will probably not make sense to you unless you are more into the Bible as your guide than modern church ways.

The "Relational Church" is just a term referring to a church patterned after the original NT churches. It could be called "Simple Church", or "Church patterned after the churches of the Apostles" or whatever would convey the idea of trying to follow the NT Church.

Generally there is no intention of perfectly mimicing every aspect of the early church, but rather there is a desire to follow the patterns of the original NT church as much as possible with the clear assumption that there will be certain unavoidable differences due to the culture and times in which we live. There will be differences in how each Christian interprets this following of patterns, but with the Holy Spirit in our lives we expect to also have a strong degree of unity and agreement. We ought to avoid unnecessary differences from the examples and patterns of the apostles teachings. We must carefully follow their traditions and avoid the "traditions of man".

Apparently Martin Luther wanted to add more early church ideas when he was setting up new churches, but thought it would not work in his day.

More importantly, the Apostle Paul encourages the following of his traditions. And he speaks of "how" things are done in the churches. And of following him as he follows Christ. It ultimately comes down to "whose traditions would you rather follow?".

The Relational/Simple Church is characterized by....

• A special building is not necessary... a home will do...or is perferred.
• There is no clergy laity distinction. (in fact these terms are problematic)
• Gifted teachers are allowed to teach (not just a seminary trained pastors).
• Outside teachers (including recordings) are welcomed, but all are tested. All teaching is tested against the standard of the Word of God, the Bible.
• The Biblical elder/overseer/pastor leadership model is followed. (multiple,qualofied male)
• The women of the church are valued and respected and essential to the kingdom of God just like the women who helped in the ministry of the apostle Paul and Jesus.
• The men of the "church" make "church" decisions, looking toward God's Word, and considering advice from Godly leadership (eldership). The goal is complete unity on decisions, but disagreements as in the "Jerusalem Council" are expected to occur at times. Sometimes people are appointed to investigate issues more thoroughly.
• Without the costs of a building and salaried clergy, there is much more available for giver-to-getter anonymous giving in the area of missions (apostlolic work), and helping the needy believers in the world.
• Things are done in a more "family style" (not as in a business).
  The church is the "family of God" and there is no desire to follow
  worldly business patterns... we are brothers and sisters... in Christ.
  
• Church order follows the 1 Corinthians 14 pattern where freedom to speak in the church is allowed, but order is maintained. (See Wayne Grudem's insightful book "The Gift of Prophecy", and study it out)
• Children are desired in the "worship service", following implications of Jesus statements about children.
• The church tries to follow Matthew 18 quite literally. People consult the leadership when things get complicated. Even those of little account are employed in deciding between brothers or sisters on issues. (1 Cor 6)
• The role distinctions of men and women are clearly seen as men do lead out and speak in the church meetings and women do not. (in accordance with the timeless instructions in 1 Corinthinans refering to Creation).
• The Lord's supper is enjoyed weekly with the church body as a full meal.With the participating in the "family" meal, men, women and children. There is a joyful, thankful but also serious and memorative attitude during this meal.
  
• Weekly meetings are usually on the "Lord's Day" (Sunday), but may be
  any time during the day as the church body decides.

On a practical note, you cannot really have a "Relational Church" if there are none around. Avoiding a "Traditional/Institutional" church while visiting with one or two families only is really quite un-relational. If there are many Christians in the area attending Institutional churches, the most relational thing to do is to attend a normal Traditional/Institutional church. As a Christian, you must seek out relational interaction in your church experience. The reason to "Not forsake the assembling of yourselves together" is for your edification, etc. It is generally impossible to get relational interaction with other local Christians if you are not involved in a Traditional/Institutional church. Typically, they are the only churches around. Most likely you will not find a healthy spiritual church with these kind of ideals in your area. We must attend an institutional/tradition church and seek to be an encouragement to the christians there. "Not negleting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Heb 10:25)   If you do find or start a relational church, it should alway be a top priority to stay connected with other churches in your area. The goal is complete unity, even though we never see it in our lifetime. The goal is not just related ties, but actually unity that is visible to the unbelieving world. Then they will know we are Christians by our love for each other and be drawn to Christ. John 17:23 " That they may become perferctly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

col 3:16-17,12-15*** 2:8,16-23

AUTHORS:

Steve Atkerson NTRF.org, asessment, beliefs (2009) old/

Frank Viola PTMIN.org, assessment, more

Jon Zens Searching Together, Jon Z. assessment, more

Dan Trotter An Appeal

FOOTNOTES:

These NTRF articles may be old, but we keep ideas long and may ponder on them many years later.
NTRF (2009) articles

These NTRF articles are newer. We have not reviewed the newer articles as much...
ntrf.org.