Last night, we capped off a celebratory weekend at Lake Forest (way fun family event Friday, 27 baptisms, God-stories and new Ministry Partners Sunday morning at LFC-Huntersville and Davidson) by ordaining our newest elder - Dr. John Campbell. Friends and elder families participated in the laying on of hands prayer dating back to the book of Acts and the original Apostles and elders. I was reminded to thank God for the unified, strong core of elders leading our church for 14 years.
I was reminded of what a high calling it is to love the church of Jesus Christ, to live life with those who belong to Jesus, and to serve and lead in the church when called upon. I was also reminded of the inheritance of careful prayer, thinking, and Biblical richness that comes from our submission to the authority of the Reformed faith, through the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Today, I give you the first page of our denominations Book of Order - the definition of the church (parenthetical comments are mine). I find it both humble and direct:
The Church Defined
1. The true Church catholic (universal) is described by two terms, invisible and visible.
2. The invisible Church is composed of all those saints of all times who truly belong to Jesus Christ, claiming only Him as Lord and Savior. This invisible Church will be the Church Victorious when Jesus comes again finally to establish His Kingdom forever and ever.
3. The visible Church is the Church on earth established by Jesus, its Lord, for the gathering and perfecting of His saints. This visible Kingdom of Grace is the one and the same in all ages. The members of this Church are all those persons in every place who profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior, who submit to His law and Lordship, together with their children.
4. The Church on earth, sometimes called the Church Militant (I don't really get that phrase, the implication is its active and on-mission), is not defined by, nor limited to, particular forms of government or denominational structures. While such divisions may more or less obscure the true Church in its visible form, nevertheless, such uniformity is not essential to its existence.
5. The Visible Church, though more or less divided and obscured, is bound together in its essential unity where scriptural disciplined is practiced (clarity and accountability for biblical doctrine, as well as mutual accountability for public behavior), where the Word is rightly proclaimed (as the authoritative Word of God), and where the sacraments are properly observed (not neglected or treated frivolously or unbiblically). Such groups who maintain this fundamental integrity of the Church shall be recognized as true parts of the Church, the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth.
