The document discusses the theological foundation of a church and its community, emphasizing a three-stage journey of belonging, believing, and behaving in faith. It outlines the essential, minimal, and missional character of formal beliefs and highlights the church’s dual purpose of glorifying God while reaching and developing believers. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of relationships, mission, and community involvement in church life beyond Sunday gatherings.

1. Church on ?????? Ruminating with JCD on planning a church plant

2. A church and its’ people do theology in three ways . . . They Glorify God, They win the lost, and Develop the found… A church holds doctrine DOES theology is community

3. The Biblical Journey into church life . . . Becoming part of a Christian community or church is the natural outcome of a three-stage journey, described by “3 B’s” Belong – experience an acceptance that lets you “come-as-you-are” into the group, then Believe – establish a Biblical faith centred in Jesus, and Behave – develop a Biblical life style as an outcome of acceptance and growing personal faith in Jesus

4. Pastoral and teaching leadership . . . How would you fill the picture? What would be the credentials that would inspire people to participate with you? How would you serve the vision, renew the workers and fulfil the Biblical purposes in a planting enterprise? Do you have enough equipping, ministry-formation education to match your perceived anointing?

5. What makes a church a church? A Church is, a growing group of the People of God who have come into relationship thorough a personal experience of regeneration in Jesus Christ (John 3:36; Romans 1:18; 5:9; Galatians 2:16ff; Ephesians 2:19). Jesus who provided the ground of regeneration- reconciliation through His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 3:24; 5:9; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 9:22), is the foundation (Ephesians 2:20-22) and head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Those who have been regenerated are made part of the Church by the work of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:18) through whom they are sealed for the day of final redemption (Ephesians 1:14).

6. The place of formal beliefs or doctrines . . . Formal beliefs or doctrines should be characterised by being essential , minimal and missional . . . Essential Who is God? What is the Bible? Who is Jesus and what has He done? Who am I and how do I grow as a Christian? Minimal What God wants and why we are here? Missional How can we be God’s people in the earth and effect our world?

7. A church does what God calls its’ people to do . . . While a church exists to glorify God, win the lost and develop the found – that’s the “general what” it does. Each local church has both a “specific what,” and a “working how” based on the giftedness and ministering community of its actual people.

8. Church life, mission and relationships beyond Sunday . . . Being the People of God in our society, Developing cells and relationships to support each other in life and winning / discipling new followers of Jesus, Building vision, missional lifestyle, and functioning in Global missions involvements, Providing pastoral and life care, Participating in experiences of corporate worship and Christian celebration, and Experiencing Biblical equipping based on personal and corporate giftedness.