Position Paper 1
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Dallas Theological Seminary *
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5105
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Religion
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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Uploaded by DrHeatOyster18
Position Paper 1
Church is one of the most important activities in a believer’s life. There are so many
different elements that a church service can have. Thus, it is important to know what is necessary
and fitting for a church service. This paper will analyze some of the most essential elements of a
local church’s Sunday morning worship service and argue that the essential elements need to
include sound biblical doctrine, discipleship, and ordinances. I will also be evaluating my current
church and its service.
The Sunday morning worship service is a weekly gathering of a local body of believers
of the same faith.
1
One of the most important elements of a church service is the doctrine of the
church. The preaching and the teaching of the word should be of correct and sound doctrine as it
is crucial to salvation and spiritual maturity. It is intended to inform, encourage, and urge
believers into a deeper understanding of God. The message should be centered on the gospel, the
person and works of Christ Jesus. Sermons should be preached with the inspired, inerrant,
infallible Word of God. Any place that is teaching false truths should be left alone as they will be
a stumbling block to believers (Gal 1:6-9; Acts 2:42; Matt 24:24; James 3:1). Following the
truths in sound doctrine will illuminate the members understanding of Scripture and teach them
to live out their lives according to the Word (1 Tim 4:13; Col 4:16). Worshipping God through
song is also an important part of church service that is needed. It is an expression of
thanksgiving, expressing love, and honor towards God (Col 3:16-17). Singing songs and hymns
are demonstrated throughout the Bible as a way of drawing near to the Creator (Eph 5:19).
Prayer is also essential to righteous living and communion with God. It draws believers near to
God as he draws near to them (James 4:8). Prayer is central to the Christian faith in talking and
listening to God. In neglecting prayer, believers will neglect the right will of God for their lives.
It is important to focus on relationship with the living God as Christ’s body.
2
Discipleship is important as a church in becoming more mature in following Jesus.
3
This
is done so that believers can grow into the likeness of Christ (Luke 14:25). The whole body
should be actively building up each other and functioning in the giftings God has given each of
them. Without discipleship, the body will become stagnant and complacent. This include
Ordinances such as eucharist or communion and baptisms are vital to a church service.
Services should commemorate the resurrection of Christ and partaking of the Lord’s Supper
4
as a
body in Christ (1 Cor 11:23-26). The apostolic group in Jerusalem emphasized the importance of
communion by taking it every time they met.
5
Baptisms should be included in welcoming new
believers to be part of the church family as well as the global church (Eze 36:25; 1 Cor 12:13).
My church does a great job in focusing on the sound biblical doctrine and ordinances.
The worship services are always based off Scripture however can sometimes be too “teaching”
focused instead of preaching. Ordinances are observed weekly which could feel like another
“element” in worship service. The church does an excellent job in outreach but less of equipping
and discipleship of their church goers. Overall, my church encompasses all the vital elements
needed in a church service as we strive to follow God faithfully.
1
Michael J. Svigel,
RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith
(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012),
200-202.
2
Nathan D. Holsteen & Michael J. Svigel,
Exploring Christian Theology: The Church, Spiritual Growth,
and the End Times
(Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2014), 148.
3
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
The Cost of Discipleship
(New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2012), 159.
4
Svigel,
RetroChristianity
(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), 174.
5
E. G. Hinson, “The Lord’s Supper in Early Church History,”
Review and Expositor
,
no. 66(1) (1969): 15-
24. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1177/003463736906600103.
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