If a few Christians gather regularly to pray and study God’s word and perhaps sing hymns or choruses together, are they a church? What are the essential components of a church? How can we know that this group is “a church,” and another group of people who lack certain characteristics are “not a church?”
This class will examine in depth two of the six affirmations of the Covenant which speak to the church. The first one we will examine is the church as a fellowship of believers. The second is the affirmation of commitment to the whole mission of the church.
In each case we will examine historical reference points for these affirmations as well as present day applications. One thing is clear from scripture and that is that God’s plan A for reaching the world rests with the church, and there is no plan B. The church is to be an agent of God’s grace. As the covenant affirmations state: "As Christ’s representative in the world, the Church is to be an agent of grace, entrusted with the message of reconciliation, hope, justice, and peace."
The class will meet from 9:00-9:50 Sunday mornings in the sanctuary. It will run from November 8 through the end of December.