So, New Covenant Chapel it is.
Continuing with Article 1: Name, Location, and Purpose, let's develop a purpose statement. This is sort of like a mission statement with a little bit more depth. I think a purpose statement for a church should stick to the purpose of the church as a body and not add in every Christian responsibility that we glean from the Bible as individuals. This is the purpose for being together as a group of believers, not just the purpose of our Christian lives. With that in mind (unless you choose to take exception to it), see what you think of the following. Be as picky as you care to be. After all, a purpose statement within a constitution is going to last a long time. Might as well make it as good and right as possible. Suggest additions, deletions, modifications, whatever. It probably could use some editing too.
"The purpose of this organization is to provide a means whereby its members may worship God together. This united worship is defined as corporately presenting our witness of the Gospel to the world and edifying each other through (1) preaching and teaching Christian doctrine and ethics, (2) encouraging each other to love and good works, and (3) supporting each other in endurance against the infiltration of wickedness and deceit. We recognize that this purpose of our union is established by the Bible, which we affirm as our ultimate authority for all faith and practice. This purpose is accomplished through regular meetings, special meetings, education, care activities, missionary outreach, and any other ministries and activities that the church shall deem appropriate or necessary.
"New Covenant Chapel is operated as a non-profit organization exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law)."
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Well, I guess I'll be the first to comment. After thinking about this statement some more, I'm beginning to wonder if the 3 means of edifying each other that I mentioned include everything. Particularly I'm looking at #2. Does encouraging each other to love cover all the positive encouragement of the soul in life for Christ? Love is vastly important (e.g., greatest command, greatest over faith and hope), but is there some encouragement we should have for each other that doesn't fall under its umbrella? (besides good works which is already mentioned). And speaking of good works, do we NEED to mention here that this is not mere conformity but resultant activity of sanctification that is a result of our love for God?--or is that too much explaining for a purpose statement?
ReplyDeleteI think that the three purposes are concise and encompassing. "Encouraging each other to love and good works"--if we tweak the point to say "Encouraging each other to love, which is the greatest command our Lord gave, and to good works, which are the fruit of love," does it make the sentence too cumbersome?
ReplyDeleteThe relative phrases elaborate a bit, although not as specifically as I am sure the pastor and other teachers would as they worked to fulfill the purpose through education (sermons, group studies, etc.).
I'm quite content with this, although I will raise the point that the purpose statement does not include reference to "going into all the world to preach the gospel." I am not saying that it needs to--I'm providing an opening for you to explain how the church's purpose encompasses this (since I think I know how you would answer this).
About point 3. I find this purpose comforting and welcoming--to know that my fellow believers in this assembly have dedicated themselves to stand fast and support each other as we all endure in this world.
ReplyDeleteI like it, too.
ReplyDeleteWell let me say also that it can get too wordy, or over explained, if we let it. In its present form I find it very good. We can always elaborate later as the need arrises.
ReplyDeleteHow about this?--change #2 to read: "encouraging each other to love, faith, hope and their resultant good works." That covers Brenda's explanation of the good works and also broadens to a fuller gamut of our encouragement. And it's not too cumbersome.
ReplyDeleteOh, and as to Brenda's point about going into all the world-- the statement does say toward the beginning "united worship is defined as corporately presenting our witness of the Gospel to the world" and then later "This purpose is accomplished through...missionary outreach..." So without being too specific, it does address our witness of Christ, even evangelistically. Or...?
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think the statement of purpose needs to say more than it does or needs to say it differently. This is a church, and the purpose statement needs to focus on what church is for--edification and support. Presenting our witness before the world is clearly directed by Christ: "By this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another" (John 13:35).
ReplyDeleteWell, I meant that last comment to answer Dan's last question. The rewording proposed, Dan, sounds fine. But "without being too specific, it does address our witness of Christ."
ReplyDelete