For the Love of the Church

Let's explore the word polity. What are the high-level views of polity? What models are used by different denominations? Why is it important that we know about polity? How does polity play out in the church today? Why do most congregations not understand the significance of polity?

What gifts would be impacted if the church did not exist? Would people still have gifts? What would be their purpose? How would they be used? Would the work of the ministry still be a thing? If so, would people need to be equipped to do the work of the ministry?

So, as we have examined this theoretical and hypothetical scenario with this season, we want to recap what is so important about the local church? People say all the time, "I don't need the church!" So as we have examined this how does this impact that philosophy. Why should this exercise in recreating a concept of It's A Wonderful Life be important to us and how should this help us appreciate the...

Missions is such a huge part of the local church. Yet, if the church did not exist would missions as we know it exist? Church planting certainly would not exist, nor would sending agencies, otherwise known as mission agencies, so what would change with mission? Would we be able to do compassion ministry? How would all of this be affected?

If there is no local church, is it safe to say that there would be no church discipline? How do we use Matthew 18 in context then if there is no local church? Would the one another passages be more impactful this way or would they some how be deemed irrelevant? How would the local church not existing have an affect on this concept of discipline and engaging each other as believers? Sin would be fa...

Many of the New Testament letters were written by Paul to various churches. Letters such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Would these letters have been written if the local church did not exist? How would this all impact the local church and the canon of Scripture?

Since, in this hypothetical scenario, there is no local church, the offices of pastor and deacon would drastically be affected. This episode will examine just exactly how that would be different. Would there be pastor? Would there be deacons? How would all of that be affected?

How are the ordinances affected if the local church does not exist? We know that the Great Commission is given which includes baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but are there any other realities of baptism that are affected? How about Communion? Is that only to be done within the context of the local church? Would believers be taking communion if the local church did...

Even though this series will explore the hypothetical differences and realities if the local church did not exist, we will establish that there are at least five things that will be unaffected by this: The gospel, preaching, evangelism, discipleship, and the future gathering of believers for eternity. These five essential realities are unchanged even if the local church does not exist.

Dave and Caleb are delighted to present a special episode of a satirical piece titled "The Rise and Fall of Jeff." This episode delves into all the issues addressed in Season 2 of "Church Killers." We recommend listening to Season 2 first before this episode. We would like to express our gratitude to the following individuals: - Jeff Yant - Steve Wong - Chris McMillian - Brother Obed - Max Moore -...

You have heard the expression, "that person is a control freak!" However, the reality that hits many churches is that control is a real deal for people. Maybe because of their personality or maybe because of their past or maybe even because of their perceptions one person or one group of people feels a need to take control of the church in a way that God never intended.

The ultimate church killer is in fact the sin of pride. Regardless of who it is, pride affects the greatest to the least and regardless of who is struggling with it, pride, in any person and in any form can and often-times will kill a church. This final episode will explore the reality of pride and its affect on the church.

Nothing is more ugly for a church than if there are multiple churches under one roof. Oftentimes, when a person has an issue with another person in church, they can quickly seek to find people who will "unite" with them over their hatred, frustration, anger with the other person. When that happens, disunity sets in and if not dealt with, will often crystallize into multiple churches under one roof...

When we were children, we played the game, follow the leader. There were two requirements for that game, a leader and a follower or a group of followers. When it comes to church life, there can often be a struggle between those who are leading and those who are supposed to be following. When this occurs, the life of the church can become endangered.

Just because two or more people serve on a leadership team does not mean that they agree or see eye-to-eye on everything. The reality is that oftentimes, there are not mechanisms in place to help leaders to come to consensus, therefore, politicking and pragmatism kicks in and the leadership can quickly become divided.

The church is not a business! That statement has been made a number of times. Many people get antsy when they think about the organizational reality of a church. Why can't the church just be an organic ministry that just "goes with the flow" in how it operates? Why do we need organizational clarity? Isn't that taking us into a business model for our ministry?

Does your church know who they are and why they exist? Many would say yes, but the reality may actually surprise you. A church's values distinctly influence the culture and character of your church. A church's vision gives clarity and guidance to what God intends you to be as a church. These 2 aspects of a church are probably more vital than you realize.

What does your church use as a standard to check the character of those who they bring into leadership? Is it based upon power, or position, or influence, or a title that someone has? Is that what allows them to serve in leadership? Is there or better yet, should there be a process for checking the character of those who are in leadership?

We are….sorry, per copyright laws, we cannot finish that song. However, what we can do is talk about the fact that the church is a family. It is a place where we practice the one another's, a place where iron can sharpen iron, a place where we allow people to see us for who we really are and love us no matter what. It is a place where we can model the relationship of the Trinity as we strive to la...

We may not see this in our particular context of the local church we attend. When the average attendance is 65 people on a weekly basis and we aren't sure that God is really working. How do we get up out of the weeds to see the universal church and the work that God is doing around the world in the assemblies around the world. We can examine a few examples that we at IBL work with in various parts...

Compare and contrast the concept that something that is living means that it is growing, changing, adapting, learning, wearing out etc… with the idea that something that is dead is stagnant, unable to think and adjust, is encapsulated in time etc… The Church is to be constantly adjusting to the culture, the generations, the social challenges, yet at the same time not changing the heart of the mess...

Let's own the challenges, heartaches, difficulties and problems in a church. They are there and they are real, yet they ultimately cannot deter us from engaging in the church. The universal church is no replacement for the local church. So how to engage in the mess of the church and not let it affect us? How do we navigate the challenges that Julie Roys thrives on and still love the church?

Someday, every tongue tribe and nation will gather around the throne of Christ to praise Him for eternity. So, how do we see the diversity in churches today? How does that play out around the world. What if we live in rural Kansas and the only other people here are white farmers or what if we live in inner-city Detroit and the only people for 10 miles around are Arabs and Blacks, how do we know th...

What did we learn from Covid? How does a pragmatic view of gathering affect us? Why does it matter that our children find the priority of attending church? Can't we just hop around and explore a variety of churches? Why does the week in and week out "grind" of church life help us in our walk with Christ? Can't we just livestream the service and call it good? Why does it matter that we make sure th...