In considering a model church, we must, of course, have some standard by which to measure a church--some ideal to which we can appeal. In the minds of some modern religious teachers no church would be a model church till it added to its services all the paraphernalia of the theater and some of the adjuncts of the barroom. Connected with the house of worship there must be a gymnasium and a culinary department, and possibly a pool room and a swimming pool. But with such things we have nothing to do. We have a standard, a criterion, and to it we appeal. It is the Lord we wish to please, and not man. The fads and fancies of men change with the seasons, and what is popular in this generation will be entirely out of date in the next generation. A true Christian cares nothing for popularity. To have the favor of men of the world in matters religious is a certain sign that we do not have the favor of Christ. (Gal. 1:7-10.) But in striving to please Christ we must know his wish or will in Everything, and we find that in the Bible--the New Testament. He is the Founder of the church (Matt. 16:18, 19), the Head of the church (Eph. 1:23; Col. 1:18). He is the Mediator of the new covenant--new laws, new will, or testament. (Heb. 9:15, 16; 12:24.) After his death and resurrection and coronation as "Lord and Christ," he sent the Holy Spirit to completely reveal his will and to declare all his plans, to execute his laws, and to set his church in operation. (See John 14:26; 16:13, 14; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8.)

      Shall we assume, then, that the Founder built such a church as would please him, that the Lawgiver inaugurated such a government as he desired, and that the Head directed such work and worship as he approved, as would honor him? Can weak, mortal, frail, fallible, feeble man know what would please the Lord better than the Lord knew himself? Who honors the Lord most--the Lord says, man who humbly submits to what the even though he (the man) does not see the need of the thing done, or the man who ignores the Lord's directions, disrespects his authority and commands, and does according to his (the man's) ideas and according to popular sentiment? To ask such a question is to answer it.

      Let us say, therefore, that a model church, or congregation (for we are discussing the local church chiefly), is one that measures to the New Testament pattern in organization, in work, and in worship. Considering these items in order, we shall discuss--

      1. Organization.--From the preceding chapters we have learned that there is no organization in the church of God except a local church or congregation; that there is no officer in the church that has jurisdiction or authority over a diocese, with its subordinate officers; that there can be no corporation of congregations, but that each congregation is strictly autonomous--an independent body. Each congregation is a complete mechanism, considered under another figure, and is fully equipped to do all the work the Lord has ordained. A model church will have a plurality of scriptural bishops--not fewer than four and preferably six or eight. The number will depend somewhat upon the size of the congregation, but more especially upon the number of men in it who are qualified for the office. All these bishops will be scripturally qualified, each one possessing all the qualifications, and scripturally appointed. They will be found prayerfully performing their functions. They will have a complete register of their members and will know the spiritual condition of them all. These elders will hold regular business sessions or conferences at least once a month, and oftener if the work demands it. There will be perfect understanding among them as to what the church is doing and what it plans to do. They will call the whole church together every sixty or ninety days and report to them what has been done, what is being done, and what plans for work are made. This will inspire confidence, stimulate a feeling of fellowship and partnership in the work, and stir up much interest. The elders will, in such meetings, invite suggestions from the members, welcome criticism, and allow full and free discussion on all questions pertaining to the welfare of the church. Thus there will be always perfect understanding and good feeling in the congregation.

      To assist the elders, the model church will have a board of deacons. The number will be determined by the size of the congregation. These like the elders, must possess the Pauline qualifications and must be scripturally appointed for their work. They will be busily engaged in looking after the temporal affairs of the church. They will know of the needy poor in the congregation and will relieve their needs. This will be a great work; and when diligently performed, it will " purchase to the deacons a good degree."

      In the model church the members will all be in subjection to the overseers, or elders. They will trust their judgment and abide by their decision in all matters of order and discipline, with the understanding, of course, that every Christian reads the word of God for himself and that any violation of Scripture by an elder may be pointed out by the humblest member. This should be done privately and in the spirit of meekness and fear. The elders will welcome such correction. The members will have a voice in all the affairs of the church when no principle of right or wrong is involved. With such conditions prevailing, the congregation will, without question, be scripturally organized.

      2. Work.--The model church will be a working church. Every member will be a worker. Each one will be so busy doing his part of the work that he will not have time to find fault with the others. No member will be heard to speak of the church as "they" and of its work as what "they" do or do not do. Each member is a unit of strength, an integral part of the whole, and feels his responsibility for the success or failure of the congregation. Each one does what he is directed to do, and finds work and does it on his own initiative. No one wants to be petted and humored, but each desires to minister instead of being ministered to. Even those who have to have the help of the church will accept it reluctantly and gratefully, and not as that which the church owes them and which they expected and idly waited for. Such help, in a model church, will never be given grudgingly or in a spirit of condescension, as "charity."

      In the model church there will be definite plans for work--a certain task undertaken which will call out the whole strength of the body, which will utilize all the forces of the congregation. There will be a program for each year, involving an outlay of money--so much for an evangelistic campaign at home; so much for missionary efforts in near-by fields; so much for foreign missions; enough to do good to all men as the opportunities come; so much for Bible study--equipping the classrooms and supplying books, charts, maps, etc.; so much for books and song drills. These things will all be so provided and so managed as to engage the attention of the young and keep them away from worldliness and sin. Their hearts cannot get full of evil if they are kept full of good. In a model church the children will not graduate from the Bible school when they reach the "upper teens;" but little and large, young and old alike will attend the classes, prepare their lessons, and manifest real interest in God's word and in the condition of his cause among men.

      There will be no fault finding members in the model church, but each member will esteem others better than himself; they will in honor prefer one another; they will all be members one of another; they will bear one another's burdens; they will weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. There will be no schism in the body, but love will be without hypocrisy among them. Thus working together, they will also be coworkers with God, and such a church will not be barren of good fruits--nay, it will be a city set on a hill, and no power can hide it from the world's view.

      3. Worship.--A model church is necessarily a converted church. Its members have "put off the old man." They are in Christ, and are, therefore, new creatures. Their affections are on spiritual things--things above--and not on fleshly, worldly, sensual things; and, of course, therefore, they enjoy spiritual food, spiritual songs, spiritual surroundings, more than Sunday dinners, Sunday newspapers, Sunday baseball, or Sunday picture shows; for all such things are connected with sensual practices even if they are not sensual per se.

      Worship is a natural expression of a consecrated soul. He who does not enjoy things spiritual is carnal-minded; hence, is in a state of death, is not a Christian, and cannot be saved unless he repents and is converted.

      When the members of a model church assemble, they come into the worship with reverence. They come with one purpose, with one mind--their minds are all together on one thought. They come with devout hearts. They are all there when the worship begins, and they all always take part. They all worship. They all participate in the singing. Those who cannot sing follow the words of the hymn (for, of course, a model church will have hymn books enough for every person present), and listen to the melody, and try to worship with grace in their hearts. All the members engage in the prayers and say "Amen" at the close, either audibly or in the heart. The worship is always orderly, systematic, and solemn. There is no confusion, no distractions, and no unseemly commotions; for there are no idle minds present. Every one is worshiping; every one is full of God. God is in the midst, and all are filled with awe. There is an atmosphere of calm of quiet, of peace and reverence; for we are now living in the age "when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshipers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23, 24.)

1. In what way are we to decide whether a church is a model church?
2. By what are we to measure the church?
3. How many kinds of church organizations are mentioned or authorized in the Bible?
4. When is a congregation organized according to New Testament teaching?
5. What is some of the work a model church must do?
6. Who should do this work?
7. Who is responsible for the success or failure of a congregation?
8. Will you have to answer to God for the condition of your congregation?
9. What is worship?
10. Can we call acts performed in the name of God worship if the heart is not in them?
11. Can we sing and pray and still not worship?
12. In a model congregation, how many of the members worship?
13. What part or parts of the worship do they all participate in?
14. How many of them should be there when the worship begins?
15. Is habitual tardiness a sin?
16. Then should not the one guilty be admonished?
17. Give a description of a model church.
18. In the last paragraph under the division "Work" of this chapter there are ten allusions to scripture, or ten scriptural expressions without quotation marks and without the references. Can you find the expressions? Can you find the passages alluded to?
19. In the first three sentences of the first paragraph under "Worship" there are three scripture expressions. Can you find the passages from which these expressions are taken?
20. Did you read all the references given in this chapter?

[TMC 153-161]