PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

{The Assembly of Brethren}

1. SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST [Scriptural Definition – Includes Missions]

2. WORSHIP GOD [God’s Way – Only In Spirit & In Truth]

3. EDIFICATION OF THE BRETHREN [By & Through the Word Only]

4. FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BRETHREN [Centered On the Word & The Lord]

5. SUPPORT OF THE BRETHREN [Spiritual, Physical, & Financial]

The purpose of the church is not for the entertainment of the brethren nor for fleshly pleasures or pursuits! And it certainly is not for the praise, or reverence,

or adulation of elders (pastors), evangelists, or teachers.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELDERS (PASTORS)

PERSONAL (Inward)

1. PRAYER [Addressed to God]

2. STUDY [Scriptures – From God]

CONGREGATIONAL (Outward)

3. PREACHING [The Word of God]

4. TEACHING [The Whole Council of God]

5. WARNING [Against: Leaven (False Doctrine), Philosophy, Vain Deceit, the Traditions of Men, Science-Falsely-so-called, and the Rudiments of the World, etc.]

6. ADMONISHING [Advise, Caution, or Notify of a Fault]

7. REPROVING [To Refute, Disprove, or Convince of a Fault or to Make It Manifest]

SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY OF ELDERS (PASTORS)

In the early church there was no division of the congregation between elders (pastors) and the rest of the brethren. There was no clergy–laity set up as in almost all modern day churches.

An elder’s (pastor’s) authority over the brethren was, and still is, very limited – spiritual only!

An elder (pastor) is not to exercise dominion over the brethren or over their faith!