Consider what a church is supposed to do according to scripture. A church is to regularly gather (Hebrews 10:24-25) to hear the word preached (Acts 2:42), to sing (Colossians 3:16), to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), to give towards the Lord’s work (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37), to evangelize (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) and to practice the sacraments of baptism (Acts 2:41, 8:12 and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). In addition, covenanted members dwell together while lovingly caring for one another (1 Corinthians 12:12-26), even through brutal practices such as church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17).
