1.) When believers met during the New Testament times, what did those gatherings look like? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to that question? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
2.) In the early church, was there a worship leader or a worship team or band that led worship from an elevated platform before the crowd of worshippers who were seated or standing in rows facing them? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to that question? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
3.) How could there have been God-exalting worship in the early church without electronic amplification? Or hymnals or projectors, so everyone would know the song lyrics? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to those questions? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
4.) Was an offering taken in some way when early believers gathered? If so, what was the money used for? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to those questions? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
5.) Were any of the gatherings held in special buildings that existed just as a gathering place for believers and other church-related activities? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to that question? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
6.) Was there a sermon given by the senior pastor or an assistant pastor every Sunday? Were all pastors educated and trained in Bible schools or seminaries by listening to lectures for several years? Did believers always preface the names of their pastor with the title of “pastor”? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to those questions? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
7.) Were there church staff? Youth pastors? Worship pastors? Children’s pastors? Did every local church identify with various doctrinal stances which they publicly advertised so that everyone could quickly ascertain their particular doctrinal beliefs? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to those questions? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
8.) Was there any emphasis on caring for the poor by the church in New Testament times? Is there any information in the New Testament that gives us any insight into the answer to that question? If “yes,” am I leading a “New Testament church”?
9.) Am I “equipping the saints for the work of service” (Ephesians 4:11-12), and if so, how am I doing it? Was giving weekly sermons the method that the early church used to equip the saints? And are the saints whom I am equipping actually doing the “work of service?” Are they walking in “the good works prepared for them from the foundation of the world” (Eph. 2:10)? And am I “making disciples, teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded” (Matt. 28:19-20)? If so, are the members of His flock whom He has entrusted me to shepherd obeying all that Christ commanded? And again, was giving weekly sermons the method that the early church used to make disciples and teach them to obey all that Christ commanded?
10.) If I died right now, would I be ready to stand before the Head of the Church to give an account for the ministry which He entrusted to me as a steward to lead His flock?
All questions asked with lots of love!
