The centrality of the Word.

^ESV Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

This verse is often thought of in applications to the individual believer. Here are three ways that it may apply to the local church.

First, the pastor is to be living this verse. God's word is to guide his own life both in his personal walk and in his duties as a pastor. The wishes, desires and needs of the congregation are not to be his light. Also, his own wishes, desires or needs must not become the light for the church. Yes, the congregation is paying his salary but he is working for someone else, and is to walk in His light.

Secondly, the believers who make up the local church are subject to the light of God's word as much as the pastor is. There is no verse stating something like: “You are not a professional Christian like the pastor, just stay sort of near the light and you will be fine.” God is light and He requires all of his children to walk in the light so that we might be like him in this world. (See 1 John.)

Lastly, the leadership of the church along with the congregation as a whole are to make the Word of God their light together. There is to be no dichotomy between the individual's walk in the light of God's word and that of the cooperate body. What light does traditions and pragmatism offer to the church that is lacking in God's word? All that comes into the church ought be be there because God's Light is shining upon it.

While living in this flesh we will not walk by the light of God's Word perfectly. I recently heard part of a discussion on a Christian radio station regarding how blind Christians are regarding the imprint of their culture upon themselves. In the context they were advocating a knowledge of church history to help counter some of this blindness. Well enough, this indeed may be very helpful. However, the ultimate correction for my life, for other believers and for the local church must be the light of the God's Word.

A pastor is to be about the Word; seeking it's light, walking in it's light and pouring out that Light into the people of God and to the world. The church is to seek the Word to no less extent.

Nothing else will do.

To the glory of God.

Amen.

An item of Praise!

The arrival of a pastor to a church is a transition, to say the least. On my part there is some work of preparation. Pondering the course one ought to bring to this church is perplexing, and a heavy burden. However, in the Lord's providence I was led to a book. The story goes along this line. A long time ago a young man was in a church I pastored. Eventually, in college the Lord brought the doctrines of Grace to his heart and mind. He went on to seminary and is now working towards his doctorate. Along the way he started writing a blog which I have been reading regularly. One of the many links on his blog site (http://www.consumedblog.blogspot.com/) is for http://www.9marks.com/, a site which I have found to be very edifying, guiding me to books by Mark Dever. I am now close to finishing The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, published by Crossway.

This book offers guidelines for moving one's church from a less healthy position to a spiritual healthier walk. As I read this book my soul was filled. Here, in these pages, is what I was looking for without knowing for sure what was on my heart. This book is not the Bible. While our church seeks to be based upon that greater book we may benefit from the struggles and walk of others who have gone before us. Praise the Lord for those who write edifying books.

I can not claim to have all the answers to such things as: what to teach in Sunday School or how to conduct a certain meeting, nor may I predict that all will be well in ten years for our church; however, an outline has been cast and I have peace with what the Lord has laid before me, before us.