"Five Church Models", from 'Character and virtue in theological education', by Marvin Oxenham

Each of these models sees its particular emphasis as the main purpose of the church. As you read the following descriptions, ask yourself the following questions: Which best describes your current congregation? Which fits your preferences? Which accords most faithfully to the biblical record as you see it? Let's have a brief look at a description of each model. 1. Love God and neighbour "In this kind of church, leaders express love in all its dimensions, ranging from pastoral care to the transformation of culture." p87 The primary scripture in support of this model could be from John 13:34–35 Love being "the Queen of the theological virtues", it is hard to argue with the primary nature of this model. If this is how the world will know that we are truly the followers of Jesus, then why would we want to prioritise anything above love? 2. Liberating persons and societies from oppression "This vision embraces moral and social reform and those in leadership serve as agents of change, freeing both individuals and collectives from bondage." p87 The scripture that comes to my mind when considering this model is one Jesus himself quoted at the beginning of his mission: Luke 4:17–21 If this was the vision of Jesus for his ministry, should it not also be the vision for the contemporary church? It certainly sounds like good news, and was viewed that way on the day Jesus visited the synagogue. 3. Creating and sustaining Christian identity "For this tradition, maintaining identity is considered an urgent and important task in the midst of a quickly changing, pluralistic and syncretistic world, and the role of the minister is to revive and redefine the distinctive identity of the church." p88 Perhaps this was the kind of church model Peter had in mind when he wrote his first Epistle: 1 Peter 2:9–10 If we do not know who we are, we cannot know our mission. If we do not protect and purify our identity, we cannot be distinctive in this world. 4. Pursuit of an evangelical mission "Here, the church is mostly seen as an agent of salvation that rescues the world from sin through the gospel and builds the personal lives of believers according to biblical discipleship patterns." p88 When Jesus was about to depart this world, he left his followers with a command which becomes the motto for this model of church: Matthew 28:18–20 Disciple-making is the activity towards which all other functions in the church are subservient. What is the point of all the other things a church can do, if people are not becoming Christians? 5. Pastoral care "In this model, the purpose of the church is to help people find their spiritual and mental health. It is, in a way, a vocation to human fullness." p88 The strap-line for this church model could well be: John 10:10 Surely Jesus does not want us simply to be saved, but to grow into all we can be as a child of God. Our connection with God needs healing, but so does much more than that. If we are to be the Church of Christ on Earth, we must become a model of what is possible with the Spirit of Christ healing us from within. Conclusion Many other Scriptures could be cited in support of each model. In this brief overview of five church models I wonder what has struck you? My childhood was spent primarily in churches broadly inhabiting the third model - that of creating and sustaining Christian identity. I have spent the majority of my adult Christian life inhabiting the fourth model - the pursuit of an evangelical mission. My point in producing this summary article is not to point fingers. I have led others with an imbalanced understanding of these models. For that, I apologise. The issue may not be to attempt to denigrate one model, but to discover that which is valuable in each of them, and find a way, by the grace of God, to blend them into something which, varied as it will be according to cultural and temporal context, will best reveal our heavenly father to this world. Your thoughts, please. Have you read this book? If so, please let me know what you think of it. Have you read other books on church models? Please tell me what they are and in what way they have helped you. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected]. If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. God bless, Malcolm