The life in the church has, for many centuries, been reflected in ceremonies,
attending meetings and services, titles, preaching / teaching / evangelism and
many other outward "appearances" of Christianity.
This has unfortunately created the impression that church is a building,
something we "go" to. A program that can be replicated all over the world
using tried and tested recipes that would gather in the lost.
True church life is not about being program-driven but about being fellowship-
or heart-driven.
Fellowship, fathering and faithfulness - life in the Church
Theme book: Acts
Fellowship
[ Key scripture - Acts 2:42 ]Look at 1 Timothy 4:11 - 16
11. Command and teach these things.
12. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example
for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
13. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to
preaching and to teaching.
14. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message
when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone
may see your progress.
16. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do,
you will save both yourself and your hearers.
koinonia "a having in common, a partnership or a fellowship" denotes the share which one has in anything, a participation, fellowship recognized and enjoyed; and so it is used of the common experiences and interests of Christians.
If ever there was a time when the church needed to get real with her faith it is now. The time has long passed that we should be program driven - we must be heart driven. Relationship is the cement that holds the living stones of the body of Christ together. Relationship is also the joint that provides the supply that the body needs to build itself up in love. When Jesus He would build His church in Matthew 16:18, He was using the same word as Paul used when he spoke of the edifying of the body of Christ, the Church building up itself in love. Same word, same thought, same process. Notice that Paul says "itself". There is a part for the church to play in the process of this building the church. It's not left to Christ or the 5-fold ministry alone. Read Ephesians 4:12 - 16
This word oikodome, meaning a structure or building, is made up of oikos - meaning family and doma or roof / covering. From which "demo" comes meaning to build. This, together, literally means to put a covering on a family.
Read this article I found on the 'net about the role of the "Pastor" within modern Christian church life. My apologies to the author for not giving credit where it is due - I forgot to bookmark the site so have no idea who he is to thank for the insight!
Read the article "The True Church" by Bishop Ryle.