Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

Liturgy is the Church’s particular order of services where it declares, regardless of tradition, the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and celebrates together at the Lord’s table when all assemble. All forms of expression of the Church in its worship should be influenced by the leading of the Holy Spirit under the guidance of the Word of God. Each culture of the Church is free and responsible to define its music, style, and form of worship, consistent with the principles and truths of Christ. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the Church at worship. To comprehend the strategic role of grace in establishing a relationship between God and the worshiping community, as well as the freedom and responsibility the Church has to exalt God is foundational to being a leader for God today. It may arguably be said that until a person understands and can articulate these truths with one’s words and deeds, one cannot exercise effective leadership in the Church. Go over these questions to see if you fully grasp both the facts and implications of the material, and how it relates to you and your relationships in ministry. What particular questions do you have in light of the material you have just studied about your own understanding of these truths? Maybe some of the questions below might help you form your own, more specific and critical questions. * Although most people have never heard of the “Pelagian heresy,” there are many people who commit it. How would a person who misunderstood salvation in this way talk about what it means to become a Christian?

Student Application and Implications

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* Does your church (or denomination) understand the Lord’s Supper and baptism to be sacraments or ordinances? Why?

* How often should a church take the Lord’s Supper together? Why?

* To what extent does your worship team at your church fully grasp the facts and implications associated with worship as the Church’s vocation? * How free is the expression of your church’s worship in terms of the physical and psychological expressions exhorted in the Bible? How much are these injunctions to shout, clap, and dance “cultural expressions” versus biblical mandates for worship? Explain your answer.