From Our Archives -The Church In The City

Where is “The Church in the City!?”
What is it? Where is it going?

The Church in the City functions as a coalition of local Christian congregations and ministries within the scope of the influence of the state capital of West Virginia–Charleston. And as such a coalition we represent the clearest picture of the New Testament model of citywide church–that is, the visible and tangible representation of Christ’s Body in our community. The fabric of this coalition is composed of interwoven relationships which we describe as organic unity. This concept can most succinctly be undergirded by Ephesians 4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ,...” (NASB). This tells us that as we develop loving, trusting relationships among ourselves, particularly as pastors and community leaders, we will present a viable witness before an inquiring world of the fullness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We also believe that the synergy created by a mutual understanding of our interdependency on one another will greatly enhance the effectiveness of “The Church in the City.” This occurs not only in the area of the sharing of physical resources, but also to a greater degree when cross-pollination occurs through the recognition and respect of the various gifts, callings and talents of the particular pastors, community leaders and local congregations.

We exist to enhance the winsomeness and validity of the church, not to violate or denigrate her integrity.

WITH THE FOREGOING IN MIND WE SEEK UNITY ALONG THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES AS THE CHURCH IN THE CITY:

(1) We will have fellowship, in all sincerity, with children of God in other Christian congregations, and will carefully avoid all disputes, respecting opinions and ceremonies peculiar to one or another Congregation. In this fellowship we will cooperate with other congregations in the support of public charities or Christian enterprises, which have a just claim upon us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) We realize that it is the Lord's will that the Church of Jesus Christ should give evidence of and seek unity in Him with zeal and love. We see how such unity has been promised us and laid upon us as a charge. We recognize that through the grace of Christ the different denominations have received many gifts and that the Church of Jesus Christ may be enriched by these many and varied contributions. It is our desire that we may learn from one another and rejoice together in the riches of the love of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God. We welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him.

(3) We will avoid every appearance of endorsement of any organization whose ultimate aim it is to cause seeking humanity to put their trust in any other than the Lord Jesus Christ as their source and hope of eternal salvation. Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (NASB)

(4) IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY - IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY - IN ALL THINGS, LOVE

AS WE BELIEVE THAT HE HAS PLACED IN OUR HEARTS THE HOPE AND VISION OF A TRANSFORMED CITY, WE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING TENETS FOR JUST SUCH A PURPOSE:

1. GOD’S GREATEST DESIRE IS TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE THROUGH HIS CHURCH
He wants Christians to love, serve and witness to others in every city on earth so that they can experience the abundant life Jesus came to bring them in this life and the next! Only God’s Church can do this. Changed cities require changed hearts, healed hearts, joyful hearts. Governments or other organizations cannot change people’s hearts enough to create safe, peaceful, healthy communities. Only God can, through His chosen instrument the Church.

2. THERE IS ONLY ONE CHURCH IN EACH CITY OF THE WORLD.
The bible clearly shows that God sees His Church primarily as regional bodies of Christians that He calls a Church---a “city-church”, if you will. God commends and corrects His people mainly as “city-churches” comprised of all the Christians living within the influence of that particular city or region (Rev. 1-3). Almost all Christians acknowledge that there is only one Body of Christ worldwide and one Body of Christ in each city regardless of the denominational labels or non-essential doctrinal distinc¬tives among the local congregations. God is again showing His people what it means to be a city-church. All over the world, local congregations are beginning to pray and act together as a city-church in order to love, serve and win that city to the Lord. The devil fears nothing more than a city-church united in prayer, love and service to the city.

3. THE CITY-CHURCH MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER TO TRANSFORM CITIES.
God’s greatest commands to His Church all center around loving Him, one another and our neighbors in need (Matthew 12:36-40). The bible makes it very clear that nothing we do will count with God or be effective in ministry unless we obey these foundational love commands (1 Cor. 13:13). God even says that we should question whether we really love Him if we don’t love our fellow Christian (1 John 4:20-21). All of God’s commands to love, serve, encourage one another were given to city-churches. God demands city-wide obedience to these commands within and among local congregations by all the Christians living in the city. A Congregation that doesn’t love other Christians is impotent to transform a city. God commands His blessing–Life forevermore!--where Christians dwell together in unity (Ps. 133). A lack of unity within or among local congregations disqualifies the Church in that city from God’s full blessing and that sin grieves His Spirit who alone can empower His Church to transform people and cities.