I am privileged to live in an area where five assemblies enjoy happy fellowship with one another. These assemblies grew from one over the years. Each time a few believers left their assembly in harmony, with the interest of seeing another assembly planted. Four times a year we meet for a united prayer and ministry meeting. The elders meet annually to review joint ministry outreaches, although never to discuss local assembly business. It is a delightful blessing.
Autonomy or self government is one of the characteristics of the New Testament church. The early apostles never organized groups of assemblies, but each was intended to function independently and accountable to the Lord Himself. He was Head of the Church, Paul would show the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11), the Ephesians (Eph. 1:22; 4:15) and the Colossians (Col. 1:18; 3:19). No church would form special fellowships or associations with other churches in an exclusive way.
W. E. Vine states it well: “The only bond binding churches together was spiritual, that of a common life in Christ and the indwelling of the same Holy Spirit. There was no such thing as external unity by way of federation, affiliation or amalgamation, either of churches in a given locality or of all the churches together. Apostolic testimony is against the organization of churches into an ecclesiastical system.”
But this autonomy was not intended to be isolation. New Testament churches set the example by assisting one another. It was a spiritual investment in each other. With a renewed interest in gospel outreach and planting biblical assemblies, here are some things to consider.
1. Providing financial assistance. This is what Paul was referring to in 2 Corinthians 8. The Macedonian believers gave generously for the saints at Jerusalem. We might be tempted to think that the Macedonian believers had lots of money and no problems of their own, and therefore could give so generously. But Paul reports, “…how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor. 8:2). Consider helping another assembly financially.
2. Lending our spiritual gift. The New Testament is full of examples of believers who traveled to local churches, many assisting Paul in his work. See for instance the list in 2 Timothy 4 or Ephaphroditus of the Philippian assembly or Epaphras of the Colossian assembly. These were men who gave themselves to the work of the Lord for the benefit of other local churches. Their own assemblies must have missed them. They were evidently men of ability and gift. They may have been good preachers or teachers. Some undoubtedly were men of practical ability, assisting Paul in work and travel. It would be worth considering whether some in our assembly could be relieved of local responsibilities to help in other area assemblies. A gifted Bible teacher should not dominate the public ministry of his own local assembly. Why not be available to other assemblies?
3. Supporting gospel outreaches and conferences. People attract people. When an assembly engages in a form of outreach, it is good to have as many people as possible there for support. Yes, it is true, God does not need big numbers to do a work. But it is also true that we encourage one another by attendance. When another assembly sends invitations, try and attend. Sure, you’re busy enough in your own assembly, but try and attend anyway. Many smaller assemblies are encouraged when other believers visit for conferences. Schedule a few conferences during your year. Plan on attending. It will bless others.
4. Avoid a critical or competitive spirit. The Corinthians were “puffed up.” It was not to their credit. We will not always agree with what other assemblies do. Our duty is to obey the truth in our own sphere. Paul never compromised on the truth, yet he was generous in spirit to those who were advancing the Lord’s work. (Phil. 1:15-18). Unconfirmed reports of the practices of other assemblies should not occupy our conversation. Our own blessing is multiplied when we wish the same for others. Blessing comes when we “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15).
Be an assembly that enriches others by sacrificial giving. Be a Macedonian assembly.