Pastors Mark Dever and Paul Alexander provide a model of a biblical church in this resource for pastors, elders, and others interested in the vitality of their church. This highly practical book proposes an attitude of complete reliance on and submission to the Gospel in building a healthy... read more
SECTION 1: GATHERING THE CHURCH
1. THE FOUR P's
Preaching
Praying
Personal Discipling Relationships
Patience
2. BEGINNING THE WORK
Clarifying the Gospel
Cultivating Trust
Cleaning the Rolls
Conducting Reverse Membership Interviews
3. DOING RESPONSIBLE EVANGELISM
Including Essentials
Extending Invitations
Avoiding Entertainment
Avoiding Manipulation
Being God-Centered
4. TAKING IN NEW MEMBERS
Where Is Local Church Membership In the Bible?
The New Members Class
The Church Covenant
The Membership Interview
The Ministry of New Members
The Margin of Error
5. DOING CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Formative and Corrective
The Preventative Function of Accountability Relationships
The Context
The Care List
Removing A Member from the Rolls
SECTION 2: WHEN THE CHURCH GATHERS
6. UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE
The Regulative Principle
Worship Is The Purpose of Redemption
God Cares How People Worship In The Old Testament
God Cares How People Worship In The New Testament
7. APPLYING THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE
Read the Bible
Preach the Bible
Pray the Bible
Sing the Bible
See the Bible
On Multiple Services
8. THE ROLE OF THE PASTOR
Practitioner of the Marks
Teaching Is Everything
The Day-to-Day
The Three G's
9. THE ROLES OF THE DIFFERENT GATHERINGS
Adult Education Hour
Sunday Morning Service
Sunday Evening Service
Wednesday Evening Service
Member's Meeting
10. THE ROLE OF THE ORDINANCE
Baptism
The Lord's Supper
11. LOVING EACH OTHER
A Live, Active Culture
Building A Corporate Witness
12. MUSIC
Congregational Singing
Accompaniment
Variety - A Staple Spice
Getting There
SECTION THREE - GATHERING ELDERS
13.THE IMPORTANCE OF ELDERS
Brief Biblical Background
The Practicality of Plurality
14. LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN
Recognizing Before Training
What an Elder is NOT
What IS an Elder?
Qualification Quadrant
15. ASSESSMENT
Assessing Character
Assessing Ability
Assessing Fit
16. WHY CHARACTER IS CRUCIAL
Modeling
Meetings
The Great Meeting
17. GETTING STARTED
Exposition
Recognition
Nomination
Election
Installation
Cooperation
Rotation
18. STAFFING
Why Not Specialize?
What's The Alternative?
The Relationship Between Staff, Elders, and Deacons
SECTION 4 - WHEN THE ELDERS GATHER
19. THE WORD AND PRAYER
The Word
Prayer
20. THE AGENDA; WHAT TO TALK ABOUT
Preparation
Categories for Conversation
The Annual Budget Process
Others In The Room
21. DECISION MAKING: HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT
The Pastors Role
Speaking Graciously
Observing Order
Voting
CONCLUSION
A Godward Looking Church
An Outward Looking Church
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