MISCELLANEOUS POLICIESGod loves us and wants the best for us. These policies represent God's best for the Assembly and its members. Their purpose is to prevent problems within the Assembly and as a guide to the members. Also, our God is jealous who wants our worship of Him to be holy, that is separated from the things of the world. These policies are to prevent mistakes before they happen. Christ prayed fervently for the unity of all His followers through all time to come. But Christ also warned of false prophets, false teachers, faithless shepherds, broken trusts, wolves in sheep's clothing scattering and devouring the flock. He warned of the broad gate and way filled with multitudes pressing on to destruction, and the narrow gate and way where few ascend to life. We will build in vain if we lose our love for all men and our intense zeal to help save all men, If we abandon our continuous effort to bring about the unity of all Christ's followers, the unity for which Christ prayed, our prayers, our ministry, our labors, will be in vain. Many assemblies are building in vain. They are building on the sands of human philosophy and man's strength. When conflict and troubles come, their house will not stand. We must let God build us on the Rock which is Christ. "Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Psalm 127:1. Only then will our work survive the testing winds, rains, and floods. The church is not a building made of brick and wood, but a spiritual building consisting of an assembly of believers in Christ. The test of our success, is not large church buildings filled with people, but the development of maturity in our members. This is God's work not ours, for it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. As we work for God we must do everything without complaining or arguing, so we may become blameless and pure children of God, without fault in this crooked and deprived generation, in which we are to shine like stars as we hold out the Word of life. See Philippians 2:13-15.
We must heed Paul's warning to the assembly at Rome. "Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine
which you learned, and turn away from them. For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent." Romans 16:17,18. The trouble makers we are to keep away from are: A VISION: Our vision is to make all members into ministers of Christ using their spiritual gift in service for all. But as we develop methods, means, and programs to accomplish this end, we must also expect the death of the vision. We must not doubt in darkness what God has shown us in the light, for God will accomplish this vision plus any other visions He gives us in His own time. GOD'S WORD: The Bible is God's Word, therefore it is to be held in deep reverence and awe, for it is the "power of God for salvation for everyone who believes." Romans 1:16. PURITY: Our aim is increased purity of our members rather than increased attendance. We will not compromise our message or policies to gain members. We will accept the "weak in faith" without condemning them and help them to grow to become mighty in spirit. Romans 14:1-15. COMMITMENT: Although salvation is free, the Christian life is not. As the members grow they will be asked for greater sacrifices and commitments to Christ and His cause. Luke 14:33; Philippians 3:7-11. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS: Our emphases is on better spiritual food, not bigger program. A proof of our love for Jesus is how we feed His sheep. John 21:16,17. TEACHING: All teaching in the Assembly must help the members to grow mighty in spirit. Fights and arguments over theological questions, meaning of words, prophecy, etc will not be allowed. Titus 3:9-11. Teaching materials used in the Fellowship Groups must be approved by the Elders, for some materials being sold for small groups is based on humanism and others are unbecoming and indecent in content. BAPTISM: Baptism is the burial of a repentant sinner into Christ and his resurrection to a new life. (See Romans 6). Therefore, we accept only immersion as a means of baptism. MUSIC: Music is a very important part of the Assembly worship. As with anything that is important, Satan will use it to cause problems and divisions in the assemblies. From the early history of the assembly there have been fights and arguments about music; use of instruments, type of music, etc. Rather than choose what we personally like in music we must choose what God likes and approves of. Since God is the author of harmony and melody we must not use music that lacks harmony and melody in our worship of God. Both rock music and jazz are sensual and addictive. They are the music of rebellion and immorality and their beat is used by worshippers of Satan to call up the evil spirits. Therefore, rock music and any contemporary music using a rock beat must not be used in any meeting or worship service. Is the message of the music true to the Bible? Is it teaching humanism and half truths? Is it reverent toward God or does it place man on a level with God? Humanism emphasizes the love of God while downplaying His holiness. It focuses on social causes rather than man's need for brokenness and repentance, and it glorifies man's accomplishments apart from God's grace. This lie must not be allowed in our worship of God. HOLIDAYS: Our desire is to worship only the one true God in heaven. Therefore all symbols, rites, and ceremonies from pagan backgrounds will not be used in any of our meetings or worship services. This includes Easter eggs, Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, all symbols and activities connected to Halloween, etc. SPORTS: We believe that love for one another cannot be shown in games of competition where the purpose is to win over an opposing party. Therefore we will not take part in league games or any activities that require intense competition. This includes Bible Bowl meets, contests between Fellowship Groups, and summer camp activities that require competition and rivalry. These reward a few winners and punish many for not being winners. This grieves the Holy Spirit and is not God's way of working. POLITICS: Although the assemblies may not back an individual politician, we will take an active interest in politics. We will urge our members to vote, to become precinct committeemen, and to become members of their school board. As school board members and precinct committeemen, Christians can have a powerful influence for good in our nation. We will not take part in picketing or blocking abortion clinics, but we will take an active part in supporting the Pregnancy Crises Centers and educating the public about the very grave and serious consequences of abortion. FAMILIES: We aim to build strong families, therefore we will teach fathers how to be the spiritual leader, wives to be submissive, and children to be under authority. Failure in these areas will prevent members from being given greater responsibilities and ministries. MARRIAGE: Marriage is a covenant that can only be broken by death. Therefore, we do not accept divorce as a solution to family problems. Divorced people who come to us will be given help, encouragement, and instruction in rebuilding their marriage. Members having marital problems must take the Marriage Rebuilding Course. WEDDINGS: We will not take part in unscriptural marriages. We will not perform weddings for a divorced member while their former spouse is living, nor for a believer with a unbeliever, nor for nonchristians who come to the assembly to be married. COUNSELING: Great care must be observed in counseling others, especially a man advising a women, that they do not fall into temptation. "Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted." Galatians 6:1. Assembly leaders should not spend large amounts of time in personal counseling, but when required there should be two counselors together. Most problems should be dealt with in the Fellowship Groups. Wives seeking counseling should ask their husbands who should then go to the Elders for advice. PERSONNEL: None of the Assembly leaders may appoint a person to a position. All appointments must be by the approval of all who will be in authority over him. Positions are not filled by voting for a person, but through a consensus of the leadership; is this person the right one for this position and is this God's will? All positions must be filled from within the local Assembly. They must earn the right to hold a position by living a Christ like life, meet the Biblical qualifications for the position, and completed the required training program. We use the Biblical titles of elder, shepherd, overseer and minister for our Assembly leaders. We do not use the terms reverend, bishop, clergy, laity, pastor, parson, or deacon. Nor do we use "senior" in front of any title. We will not appoint people to positions of leadership to keep them involved. Men who are Biblically qualified, tested, and approved will be appointed to leadership positions who serve as examples to those in and out of the assembly. 1 Timothy 5:22. The assembly will not advertise for workers or ask for volunteers. Only God can see people's desires and motives so only He can make the correct choices for our leaders and workers. We must always ask God to supply all our needs, including our needs for Shepherd/Elders, staff, and Ministers of Mercy. ACCUSATIONS: Immediate action will be taken when a member and especially a leader is accused of sin or wrong doing. Problems do not go away and failure to take immediate action will result in greater problems. If the accused person is found innocent, then the one guilty of gossip and slander will be disciplined. 1 Timothy 5:19,20. DISCIPLINE: Leaders of the assembly who are guilty of immorality, theft, etc, will be immediately dismissed from their position. Any leaders and members guilty of breaking the law will be turned over to the law. All leaders who sin will be publicly rebuked per 1 Timothy 5:20. They will be urged to repent, make restatution if necessary, return to the assembly, and become active in its activities. GOSSIP, BAD REPORTS: We will not allow anyone to share a bad report. The leaders will continually teach the members how to tame the tongue, how to examine self, exhort others, and restore offenders. Members are urged to be transparent in their Fellowship Group meetings, but the members must not repeat what they hear to others. ADVERTISING: We will not advertise the Assembly but rather let others praise us. Proverbs 27:2. FINANCES: God is our supplier, therefore we will not go into debt or use any fund raising projects. Members who do not support the assembly will not be appointed to a leadership position. Philippians 4:19. CRITICISM: We accept criticism as a means to clarify and deepen our message. Proverbs 15:10, 31-33. OPENNESS: The members must never complain among themselves or to outsiders about Assembly policies or actions. If there is a problem or misunderstanding they must talk to those in authority. If a person is having problems with his ministry, he must bring it to the attention of the leaders. If the problem involves those in authority over him, then he absolutely must follow the instructions of Matthew 18. We must work as a team. To be effective all parts of your body must cooperate with all the other parts of your body. The same is true in the assembly. If you are a "hand" you must work with all the other parts of the body and if you as a "hand" have been injured or have cramps and cannot do your ministry, you must let others know so they can help you.
"Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, "That there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." 1 Corinthians 12:25,26. "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up." Romans 15:1,2. "Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God." Romans 15:5-7.
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
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