The New Testament sets forth a pattern for the work, worship and organization for the local church. The church is to edify its members and save the lost through the teaching and defense of the word of God, the spreading of the gospel to other areas, and the support of individual men who faithfully engage in this effort. The church is also to engage in benevolence that is limited to needy saints. Scriptural worship consists of singing, teaching, praying and (on the Lord's Day) partaking of the Lord's Supper and taking up a collection. When a plurality of men are qualified, each local church is to have its own overseers and deacons.

This pattern was set by the Lord's apostles. They saw to it that churches were set in order and the same thing was taught and practiced in every local church (Titus 1:5; 1 Cor. 4:17).

However, the New Testament also teaches the autonomy of the local church. To be autonomous means to be "functioning independently without control by others." No local church is to have any control over other congregations. Elders are strictly told to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you" (1 Pet. 5:2), confining their authority and oversight to the local congregation of which they are members. Every local church is connected directly to Jesus Christ as the Head, follows His doctrine, and answers to His authority.

No local church has the freedom to choose how it will be organized, how it will worship, or what kind of work it will perform. However, the Lord has given each local church some freedom regarding how they can best fulfill these distinct responsibilities.

For example, a large congregation may support one or more local preachers and even send support to men preaching in other places. A smaller congregation with limited funds may wish to have its own men fill the pulpit and teach Bible classes. Neither is wrong in its decision, provided both of them are following the pattern for the work of the church.

The acts of worship have been specified, but the order of worship has not. Some congregations start their worship with a song, others with a prayer. Some observe the Lord's Supper before the sermon, and some do so afterwards. Neither is wrong. Each is doing what works best for them; they are following the pattern for the worship of the church.

The New Testament teaches the local church to assemble on the Lord's Day. Exactly how often and at what time are incidentals. Many churches have benefitted from meeting to worship two times on the Lord's Day; once on Sunday morning and again in the evening. Recent years has seen a change in this practice. For different reasons, some churches have seen fit to change their times of services. Some meet a second time in the afternoon rather than in the evening, some have both worship services and a Bible class in the morning, and some have done away with the second service altogether. It is only natural to question why a church would choose to make a change in their meeting times. While one may be quick to judge them as being spiritually weak and on a dangerous path, the change in meeting times may reflect their effort to meet a legitimate concern (such as considering the driving distance for some members). While we may question these kinds of decisions, the fact is that each local congregation has the right to make their own decisions in these matters. They are still following the pattern.

We need to balance our respect for the pattern and our recognition for church autonomy, for both have come from God.

Other matters need to be considered on this subject. We will have more to say about "church autonomy" next week.