Having done some reading, I found an article that said this
about what a true church of Yeshua should be like... I post it here
and invite comments and debate.
After surveying the ecclesiastical landscape and seeking the
mind of God in Scripture, I find ten marks. You havent got an
authentic, New Testament church unless you have these basics:
1. Freedom for God
Freedom for the Holy Spirit to lead as He wills instead of
subordinating Himself to our customs and traditions. There must be
built-in precautions against institutionalization, and direct
leading instead of priestly. (See the Lords exasperated statements
in Ezekiel 34:10, 11, 15, 23, 24.)
2. Freedom for us
People must have a track to run on:
A. Authorization/release to grow in maturity and gifting
B. Repeated encouragement to step onto that track and run
C. Structures that make regular use of gifts
D. Full expression in group worship and sharing
E. Flow-through channels that allow growing gifts to serve a
growing circle of people. No professional barriers to flowing into
pastor/missionary work.
3. Repentance
Repudiation of ecclesiastical errors of the past and a repentance
that allows Scriptural types of group functionnot tradition-bound,
not pastor-centered. You have to use the mobile ministry and
pastor-teachers in ways that dont smother the saints.
4. A new breed of Christian
Restoration churches are built upon a new kind of disciple:
self-feeding, responsible, and determined to
contribute/participate/function. They will have more than "lay"
status. (Remember the old gag? The preachers preach, the teachers
teach, and the laymen lay around.)
5. Conversions/growth
Reproducible growth in numbers. This must include a good number of
conversions.
6. Communal righteousness
A spiritual purity that springs from the whole group (instead of
one single pastor) and is maintained by the group (not just one
pastor or shepherd figure).
7. Sense of belonging/ownership
An openness that allows a sense of being on the inside, not
outside. A felt share in responsibility for the success of
meetings.
8. Leadership development
Dynamics that constantly produce leaders from within the group,
creating apostles, elders, and all other gifts as fast as theyre
needed.
9. Cooperation
Kingdom attitudes vs. empire attitudes. This shows up as respect
for other ministries, eagerness to work together, team orientation,
relational styles, decentralized authority, and a constant concern
for the individual (asking, "What I can do for him?" rather than
"What he can do for me and my ministry?" ).
10. Healing of society
A ministry with impact well beyond church circles. If youre
obedient and responsive to God, Hell be able to use you as a
channel of blessing to the whole world.
This, my friend, is the dazzling bride without spot or wrinkle.
Dont settle for anything less.