REVOLUTIONIZING THE CHURCH
By Ron Fischer © 2006

Some traditions in today's church which were not in the New Testament church have caused the believers to become passive, immature, and hindered from functioning as they should. Having a proper understanding in these three areas will revolutionize the way we live and function as the church body of Christ.

  1. Titles and positions of authority in the church. We need to understand that Jesus told his disciples that there was not to be any titles or positions of authority in the church. Instead New Testament believers were to be servants with ministry functions.

    Some articles of interest on this topic:
    http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/noauthority.htm     - Was There Leadership Authority In The New Testament Church? - Ron Fischer
    http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/functions.htm     - Ministry Functions In The New Testament Church - Ron Fischer
    http://www.ptmin.org/authority.htm     - The Lord Jesus Christ and Authority - Frank Viola
    http://www.ptmin.org/thepastor.htm     - The Pastor: Where Did He Come From? - Frank Viola
    http://www.ptmin.org/fivefold.htm     - Rethinking The Five-Fold Ministry - Frank Viola
  2. Money being used for buildings and paid salaries. We need to understand that the New Testament believers did not use their money for buildings or paid salaries. Instead New Testament believers met together in their homes as their primary setting and shared what they had with one another especially with those in need. More mature believers acted as overseers (shepherds) but also worked. Itinerant workers stayed with believers while they traveled, sometimes receiving monetary gifts but they also worked when they stayed in one place for a time.

    Some articles of interest on this topic:
    http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/money.htm     - Sharing Resources And Use of Money In The New Testament Church - Ron Fischer
    http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/whythebest.htm     - Why Is The New Testament House Church The Best Choice? - Ron Fischer
    http://www.ptmin.org/tithing.htm     - Tithing and Clergy Salaries - Frank Viola
  3. Teaching instead of making disciples. Today the church teaches believers in a lecture style passive way. Jesus commissioned his disciples to make disciples, heal the sick, cast out demons, and teach believers to obey what Christ taught them. Since they were all disciples, they all participated as they learned from one another. Making disciples includes teaching by discussing, sharing the good news, worshiping together, experiencing Christ together, praying for healing and freedom from oppression, and sharing their lives together as a family.

    Some articles of interest on this topic:
    http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/meettogether.htm     - Why Did Believers Meet Together? - Ron Fischer


Having a proper understanding in these three areas will enable and encourage all believers to function in their gifts, the church to multiply exponentially, and believers to care for one another. This can only take place when we return to the simple New Testament model of the church meeting in houses.

For more details on traditions that are in the church which were not in the New Testament you can read the article http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/articles/traditions.htm

For more articles about the New Testament Church you can visit http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/ARTICLES.html.