FAQs - Answers
We are an Independent church because we believe the Bible teaches the independence and autonomy of the local church. It is consistently the local church that is addressed in the epistles of the New Testament, and in the book of Revelation each of the seven local churches is addressed through it's angel or messenger ie. minister or pastor, see Revelation chapters 2,3.
The local church appoints and commissions it's officers, Acts 13 v 1,2. It is also responsible for the exercise of discipline, 1 Corinthians 5. The local church is to support and provide for it's pastor in order that he might give himself fully to the work of ministering to God's people and preaching the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 9 v 13,14; Galatians 6 v 6. The local church also gives aid to other needy churches and supports missionary endeavour, 1 Corinthians 16 v 1. The church metaphors also support the doctrine of independence and autonomy e.g. the flock under a shepherd, (pastor) 1 Peter 5 v 2, and a body with each organ and member contributing to and promoting the good of the whole under it's Head, Christ, Romans 12 v 4,5; 1 Corinthians 12 v 12.