[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

We live in a world of communities.

There is a world community, a national community, a state community, a county community and a municipal community that all Americans are part of. Add to this our social communities such as Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, athletic clubs, churches and - most important - our families.

Within each community there are set standards of acceptable behavior. Morality is defined by a collective group think that is the sum total of the community's traditions, history, purpose and will.

The local church is a community. Our standards of acceptable behaviors should be formed from the following sources.

1. The Word of God.

All Christian ideals housed within the Word of God are non-negotiable. And if one wishes to be part of the local assembly they must adhere to the Word of God will all appropriate effort.

2. Geographical Morality.

There are, within each geographical community, certain moral expectations. A person may dress much differently in Africa than in metro-Dallas with varying degress of acceptance from the local community. What is morally repugnant to some Africans may be completely acceptable to most Americans. The opposite is true, also.

This concept is true within America as well. Some things may be acceptable in California that would never be accepted in Iowa. The local church must be aware of it's Geographical Morality.

3. Church History.

All traditions are not evil. It is good to hold onto tradition. However, it is wrong to do so at the expense of Truth. Traditions that do not subvert the intent of God's Word are a strong connecting cord. Contrarily, mandated adherance to extra-Biblical traditions are an unessential burden that distracts all Christ's disciples from their mission.

4. Mission.

How will the way I dress affect those in and out of the church? How will I be perceived? How will the way I act affect my community? It may be that I need to give up some things that are not necessarily sinful, in order to exist in a peaceful community, and in order to win my world.

Each local assembly has the right to create its own flavor of twenty-first century Christianity. Each local assembly is different. Special. Unique. Each local assembly has its own set of priorities. Its own look. Its own feel.

Each local assembly is a thriving community.

Can you imagine how long it takes for a new church plant to develop it's own identity and sense of community?