In his book Theology for the Community of God the late Stanley Grenz, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Regent College, Vancouver, wrote that there are two New Testament principles which are basics of the present-day community of God. They are:
- The principle of congregational autonomy; whereby individual congregations make their own decisions apart from external control; and
- The principle of associational impulse; whereby this Biblical principle of autonomy of the local church never degenerates into congregational individualism.
As he describes it, Interdependency functions as a counterbalancing norm for these principles. In their autonomy, each church has three defining powers; membership, mandate and organization that make them unique but also identifiable as a church.
Simply put, each congregation establishes how one may become a member and how those members relate to the body and what responsibility the body may have to its members. A congregation is mandated to demonstrate certain basic functions or purposes such as worship outreach and edification. Finally they organize with officers, leaders and a functional polity that meets the needs of their fellowship.
Simply put, each congregation establishes how one may become a member and how those members relate to the body and what responsibility the body may have to its members. A congregation is mandated to demonstrate certain basic functions or purposes such as worship outreach and edification. Finally they organize with officers, leaders and a functional polity that meets the needs of their fellowship.
Even though they are autonomous and possess church powers, no congregation is an end to itself. Each is a participating partner with other congregations in a larger whole. Each has a particular local function in life and ministry, and each local body is crucial for the life and ministry of the whole people of God in the world.
To fulfill that associational impulse, each congregation should find a way to express its responsibility to the larger whole by voluntarily joining with sister churches in an associational framework. Associations of various types complete us as we look for ways to fulfill the Lord's will for his bride. They also promote a wider experience of community. Through associations, congregations are able to join their resources in order to unite in fulfilling the commission shared by the entire people of God.
In addition to very practical advantages, the uniting of local congregations into a larger association is theologically significant. Associations of churches demonstrate the importance of wider Christian fellowship, unity, and reciprocal dependence. We surely want to protect congregational autonomy, but have we considered cooperation with others in a larger context than our local field as a measure of church health?
To fulfill that associational impulse, each congregation should find a way to express its responsibility to the larger whole by voluntarily joining with sister churches in an associational framework. Associations of various types complete us as we look for ways to fulfill the Lord's will for his bride. They also promote a wider experience of community. Through associations, congregations are able to join their resources in order to unite in fulfilling the commission shared by the entire people of God.
In addition to very practical advantages, the uniting of local congregations into a larger association is theologically significant. Associations of churches demonstrate the importance of wider Christian fellowship, unity, and reciprocal dependence. We surely want to protect congregational autonomy, but have we considered cooperation with others in a larger context than our local field as a measure of church health?
So, how's your Associational Impulse?
Bill Rains, Associate Director of Missions
Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa, OK
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