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Dear bro. Turner:
 What
are the scriptural boundaries of a local church? How may one distinguish
between the work of church “A” and that of near-by church “B”?
Reply:
Local
churches are not geographic divisions. They come into existence as a
plurality of saints agree to function as a team— to work and worship
together, (Cf. Acts 11:20-26 and Phil. 1:1; 4:15). Phoebe was a servant
of the Cenchrean church — in Rome, (Rom. 16:l-2; Cf. Phil. 2:25-30;
Col. 1:7). One may live next door to a certain church building,
and be a member of a church which meets on the other side of town—
with valid reason.
The
God-assigned work of a church (as indicated by precept, example and
inference) naturally divides itself into that which has to do with self-maintenance
of the unit (if you dislike my terminology select your own): such as
worship, self-edification and discipline, and care of needy members of
that congregation; and their obligations abroad: such as
preaching and supporting the gospel to the world, and care of needy
saints other than their own members. Our query is obviously concerned
with this last category. What part of the world-need belongs to church
“A” and what part to church “B”? Which sinners are the
obligations of church “A” and which must be taught by church “B”?
Sounds rather silly, doesn’t it?
If
“assuming” a territory puts one church “in charge” of that
section, it is not surprising that long ago a self-acclaimed “mother”
church called
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"dubs” on the world, and has been trying
ever since to get all churches to work through her. There is,
however, no scriptural basis for such a concept, either on a
world-wide or even a state-wide basis.
Church
“A” and church “B” each have a world obligation— with a
most obviously scriptural limitation. Each is to perform “out of
that which ye have,” (2 Cor. 8:11), or “out of your ability.”
(A.S.V.) There was a level of production which Paul “hoped” for,
(Arndt-Gingrich, “also expect”) and beyond which he did not
expect them to go. (“Not as we hoped, but first gave their own
selves to the Lord.” “For I mean not that other men be eased,
and ye burdened.” 2 Cor. 8:5-f) This does not mean that brethren
and churches could not scripturally go beyond Paul’s
expectations (the churches of Macedonia went beyond; as did the poor
widow, Mk. 12:44), and were commended for their self-less
liberality. But they went beyond by digging into their
“own living.” It was “of themselves” that they gave
—not funds they had solicited from some others.
And
here is the boundary of God-assigned church work: all that you will
do, all that the church will do, using her own resources. This is
just another way of saying that independent congregations have an
obligation to meet God-assigned world needs as they have opportunity
and ability. Courtesy and a desire to avoid duplication of efforts
may dictate consultation when many churches meet in the same general
area, but neither “dubs” nor geography make church boundaries.
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