Three Marks that need Work
1. Mark Seven: Biblical Church Discipline. We as a church are
reluctant to hold individuals accountable for actions and
behaviors that we see that need to be addressed. Our culture is
one of forgiveness and staying out of other people’s business.
However, as Dever says, “We are also specifically told to judge
one another within the church (though not in the final way that
God judges). Jesus's words in Matthew 18, Paul's in 1 Corinthians
5-6, and other passages (which we will consider) clearly show
that the church is to exercise judgment within itself.”[1]6I’ve
heard of other churches having a sort of governance in place
where members go before a group of elders whenever
disciplinary measures need to be taken. Perhaps our church
could do something like that.
2. Mark Eight: A Concern for Discipleship and Growth. My church
has significantly grown in number since I joined several years
ago. Due to the increase in membership, we’ve built a new
sanctuary. However, there doesn’t seem to be as much of an
emphasis on the individual members growing spiritually. Dever
points out, “The New Testament idea of growth involves not just
more people, but people who are growing up, maturing, and
deepening in the faith.”[2]6There seems to be an expectation
that individuals will do this on their own. To address this, our
church could mention participation in various ministries which
will allow people to grow spiritually.
3. Mark Nine: Biblical Church Leadership. Our church definitely
seems to look to individuals with titles for leadership. I’ve not
seen any evidence of an expectation that congregates would
take on leadership roles. According to Dever, “Our problem with
the model of the apostles is that, in following it, we present-day
church leaders might ascribe too much authority to ourselves,
without deserving such authority. Yet here in Acts 6, we see
these very apostles handing over responsibility to the
congregation; it almost seems that they were recognizing in the
church assembly the same kind of ultimate authority, under God,
that Jesus recognized in his statement in Matthew 18:15-
17.”[3]6To address this, our Pastor and Ministers would have to
encourage the congregation to take on more of a leadership role.
6
[1]Mark Dever (2015). (p. 183). Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.
Crossway. Retrieved from6https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
[2]6Ibid., 213.
[3]6Ibid., 234.
