The Church

What does Acts teach us about the church? There are four basic functions of the church. First they were dependent on Spirit of God. They were empowered by the Spirit (Act 1:8), filled with the Spirit (Act 2:4), led by the Spirit (Act 13:2-3), guided by the Spirit (Act 15:28) and directed by the Spirit (Act 16:7).

Second they were teaching the Word of God. In Act 2:42a, we are told that the church "continued steadfast in the Apostles doctrine." Third they were building oneness in the people of God. Act 2:42b, says they continued in "fellowship and breaking of bread." Forth they were praying to God. Act 2:42c, says they continued in "prayer." When these four vital functions of the church are kept in balance we can expect God to richly bless. Act 2:47, says, "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

It is important to realise that the growth of the church is not our job. Our primary focus is to follow the Lord's leadership, feed the sheep and tend the flock and as a result God will bring the increase. Our concern is not to grow the church but to grow the Christian. The natural outflow of a healthy Christian is a growing church. Our top priority is to be dependent on the Spirit of God, teach the word of God, build oneness in the people of God and to be a people of prayer.
Source: http://www.glcc-online.org/index.php?/church-distinctiveness-model-of-the-church.html

Fascinating how reading another church's distinctives can allow us to learn at the same time.