The shared center — held across the tradition
The gathered congregation is the whole church, not a branch of one.
A local body of believers who have covenanted together has, by itself, every power the New Testament gives a church: to call a minister, ordain him, discipline members, and refuse instruction from any outside body. Synods may advise. They may not bind.
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A covenant makes the church, not a parish boundary.
You are not a member of the church because you live in the town and were christened. You are a member because you professed faith, were examined, were admitted by the vote of those already in, and signed your name to how you would live with them.
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