What Does the Foundation Look Like?
Acts 1:8 — “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Matthew 28:16-20 — “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Before you build anything, you need to check the foundation. Is your church built on the Great Commission? Is your church built on the power of the Holy Spirit? Is your church built on the authority of Christ?
The Foundation of the Church
The foundation of the church is not a building. It is not a budget. It is not a program. The foundation of the church is the gospel.
Paul told the Corinthians, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). That is the foundation. Everything else is built on top of it.
How to Check Your Foundation
Is the gospel central? Is prayer a priority? Is the Bible authoritative? Is the Holy Spirit empowered? Is the mission clear?
When the Foundation Is Cracked
Sometimes the foundation is cracked. The gospel has been compromised. Prayer has become routine. The Bible has been neglected. When that happens, you have to go back to the foundation. You have to repent. You have to rebuild.
The good news is that God is in the business of rebuilding. Ezekiel 37 shows us that God can bring life to dry bones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this apply to rural churches?
Every rural church is different. Adapt these ideas to your specific context.
What first step should we take?
Start a conversation. Identify one practical change you can make this month.
Where can we find more resources?
RuralThinkTank.com and MinistryPlace.net offer resources for small and rural churches.