Core Value 20: Autonomy and Interdependency

God has instituted the local church as a self-governing body through which his people will be evangelised, edified and engaged in good works for his glory. He has also revealed in his word that a local church may cooperate with other local churches (Matthew 18:15–20; 2 Corinthians 8:16–21).

  • Therefore we affirm the principle of local church autonomy, as well as that of the interdependency of local churches. We also affirm that local churches may cooperate with each other in order to unite their efforts and resources around common projects.
  • We deny the need to form an institution with officers bearing instruments of power that would undermine or even replace the autonomy of any local church. We also deny that any local church should ignore its relationships with other local churches; in particular, no church should receive members from another local church without regard for disciplinary measures taken by that church.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What is the purpose and function of the local church?
  2. What should the relationship be between local churches?
  3. What kind of common projects can we be involved in?
  4. What does it mean for a local church be autonomous, but not independent?
  5. What does it mean for our churches to function as interdependent with one another?
  6. What are the limits of interdependency?

THE CORE VALUES OF SOLA 5

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