Continuing with our theme of new covenant church life, there are two Greek words translated “church” or “fellowship” in the New Testament. The first, ecclesia, represents government and structure, and koinonia is the bonding and vital union of the church members. 

         In much of the present structure of church in the West, ecclesia is usually emphasized over koinonia. However, as we read last week in I John 1:7, it is koinonia that determines whether we are walking in the light. So, if we do not start with koinonia as the basis and foundation of our life together, it may be hard to ever attain—as typical, modern church life in the West attests. 

         If ecclesia is added to our koinonia, when needed, in the right doses and at the right time, we are far more likely to walk in the light that requires koinonia. Putting ecclesia before koinonia is like putting the cart in front of the horse. Elevating ecclesia above koinonia can cut off the vital life flow in a church. Church government and structure are meant to serve and protect the place of koinonia, not the other way around. 

         As we observe the development of new covenant church life in the book of Acts, the leadership of the apostles was given first, then the rest of the church structure and government seemed to be added as it was needed. It is noteworthy that when the apostle Paul led people to the Lord, he would leave them for a time—months or years—then come back through and appoint elders. 

         Possibly one of the most stifling practices of many church planters today is appointing elders prematurely. If leaders are appointed too early, we often select those who are the most prominent in worldly leadership, and who will promote strong government and organization. However, if we allowed a little more time, the ones God has called will surface. If the position they are called to is already taken, we will often miss out on their contributions.

         Those God calls to lead a work may be less assertive, but will often provide a better place for koinonia to flourish before ecclesia is added. God’s ecclesia may also be very different for each congregation. 

         Once, when I was focusing on church planting, I had an encounter with the Lord in which He said I was not planting churches, but franchises. The Lord loves diversity so much that He makes every snowflake different, and every one of us different. So, why are most churches, which are supposed to be His temple or dwelling place, so boringly uniform? Could this be why it is so hard to find Him in most of them? But as we see in Revelation 3:21, He is standing outside knocking to see if any will open to Him. 

         When we put ecclesia first, and the structure and government become too strong of an emphasis too early, it can be very hard for the church to function as it should. We should desire to be the type of church and ministry spoken of in Ephesians 4, in which the saints are being equipped to do the ministry and each member is functioning properly. Maybe this is why, even though I have traveled the world ministering to the body of Christ, and have many friends who have done the same, not a single one of us has ever seen a church like the Ephesians 4 model where:

         “We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (see Ephesians 4:15-16).

            Has anyone yet seen a church body where the believers are growing up into “all aspects in Him” and where there is a “proper working of each individual part”? I do not know of one, including the churches I started and have led, despite our main emphasis being Ephesians 4. 

            Spurgeon said that he could find ten men who would die for the Bible for every one who would read it. I have found that ten people will applaud the Ephesians 4 vision for every one who will actually engage to find their part in the body, and get equipped for it, much less function in it. Now, this may reflect poor leadership on my part, but everywhere I’ve visited that had this same emphasis, there seemed to be a similar problem. Why? 

            This is one of the most important questions we can ask at this time. 

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