The Narrow Door

Tenets (belief, principle)- the basis of christianity

1/ Decide (to discover and commit if you then agree) 1.1/ Discover (read the bible *at least the verses that explain what christianity/discipleship is, and discuss a pending choice with (truly bible based) leaders of the church *where appropriate [or you’re not sure what a real commitment to God, *Jahoshua [We prefer to use the biblical name Jehoshua instead of Jesus (which was introduced centuries later)(note: salvation doesn’t depend on using Jehoshua instead of Jesus, it is a preference for us, but not a requirement of salvation or membership)].**the bible, and ***the church. 1.2/ Choose (based on a firm understanding of the commitment) to then believe or not, to commit or not. Deu 4:29, 1Chr 16:11, Psa 105:4, 2Ti 3:16, etc

2/ Commit (to christianity and to a church *I urge you to choose The “Narrow Door”, as its focus is 100% following the bible (and its intent), but if you have a reason to commit to another church then do so.John 8:31-32, Matthew 16:24, Acts 2:38, Deuteronomy 6:5, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 9:62.  Commit to 2.1 your advancement as a disciple through study of the bible and messages from (truly bible based) ministries. Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 2:12-13, Colossians 2:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Hebrews 6:1, 2 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 5:12-14. Then commit to 2.2 act (choose your initial path *ministry/maintenance type) James 1:22, James 2:17, James 2:26, Matthew 5:16, Galatians 6:9-10, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14, James 4:17

3/ Study (deeply *the whole bible, and learn quotes **to a testable level “scriptures on mind” 2Ti 3:16, Deut 6:6-7, Josh 1:8, Col 3:16)

4/ Live it - this is your initial growth (pray, commune, take up Godliness, evangelise etc). Be pious (visibly follows all the moral and ethical codes of his religion).

5/ Prepare for ministry or maintenance [if you seek to enter the ministry (5 fold - apostle, pastor, teacher, prophet or evangelist Eph 2:10, 4:11-12), Philippians 2:13, then create  5.1/ a plan to launch and develop your ministry and 5.1.1/ messages, then 5.1.1.1/ practice in groups (ministry development meetings, which are arranged by leaders *If the church you chose doesn’t have these, why not? Do they not care about church growth beyond their congregation? If not, they therefore only care about themselves, not growth *which is what Jehoshua sought 2Ti 3:16 etc). 5.2/ If you seek maintenance rather than ministry then, make yourself available to the leadership in other service/maintenance roles (usher, counselor, welcome team or other roles like business, admin or other helping roles etc)1Co 12:7-10, 28-30. 5.3/ No matter which role/s you choose, a commitment to Jehoshua includes a commitment to evangelism ( Matthew 28:19-20 is a scripture for everyone not just “evangelists”), Tell others (family, friends, colleagues and especially strangers) of Jehoshua, seek a commitment from them and bring them to regular church meetings. 5.4 Follow up everyone who has made a commitment with you (take them to church until they do so by themselves, if they stop, follow up again)

6/ Act. For Apostles, go to new areas and create new church branches and messages to preach there. For Pastors, focus on meeting with individuals and family groups (you may occasionally preach at church meetings, but that is not the true main role of a pastor - it’s directly meeting members to assure their growth and advancement in discipleship) a pastors job is to take care of the sheep (pastoral), they should be doing home visits especially if someone hasn't been to church. For Teachers, prepare and deliver messages in church meetings/services. For Prophets, (be very careful as very few are truly called to this role *we know them by their acts) then act only when required. For Evangelists, learn material to deliver (sometimes in church services, but mostly outside), your role is to preach to the unsaved not the saved (therefore sometimes street preaching but more often discussing with individuals or small groups). Finally for those who enter maintenance rather than ministry, serve where you can, fill the churches needs  James 4:17.

7/ Absorb. Learn from your successes and failures. Meet with mentors and ministry groups (where available) to 8.1/ assess your outcomes [and theirs] and 8.2/ address any issues identified.

8/ Teach others to do the same Act 2:42

9/ We encourage members to gather daily Act 2:46

10/ The army of God (discipline of an army) commit to evangelise a/ social circle b/ neighborhoods/streets - if streets 10% or less preach, 90%+ one on one.

 

 

Edicts (pronouncement, order) Beliefs and directives

- All the Bible 100%. We believe what the bible says literally without compromise. We seek to do what it says as individuals and as a church. Including using the biblical name Jehoshua instead of Jesus (which is a preference for us, but again not a requirement of salvation or membership). We may also refer to ourselves as Disciples, Jehoshuans, or Elohimic Jehoshuans (Elohim refers to the trinity) rather than christians as such (again a preference rather than requirement). 2Ti_3:16 Mrk_12:24, Act_17:11, Rom_15:4 Deu6:4-9

- Salvation is first through commitment to Jehoeshua (who is God *specifically “The Son” an equal part of the trinity **a third part of God Matthew 28:19.) and then by following that commitment by growth (advancing to godliness and walking away from sin). There is no other way to heaven. Acts 4:12 james 1:22, 2:17, Titus 2:14, James 4:17

- Humanity is saved by faith (in Jehoshua *and God as a whole ** eg. Romans 10:9-10). Salvation does not merely compete by faith and a sinners prayer, it doesn’t not stop there. There is a requirement for growth (to advance in becoming what God seeks), to repel sin and take up the traits of godliness. To remove sin from your life and to add godliness to it. Acts 3:19, James 1:22, 1 Pet 1:15, 2 Tim 2:22, Rom 16:17, Act 2:42

- meeting structure - music/songs are not required, service structure is not required. Not to be conducted by a single person (minister) every week, nor by a small group but open to everyone who wishes to deliver a message (preach/teach)(but under “expected” permission of the leaders). As messages were delivered in the early church when the congregation came together to eat, we expect most meetings to be of similar nature. Also as much of the teachings of Jehoshua were delivered in a discussion more than a narrative, we also promote interactive teaching more than preaching. So most meetings should take the form of a meal with a directed discussion. -  (a potential format - commune, eat, sing, teach, altar call [ministry healing etc], after > other meeting needs) Matt 10:32-40, Jud 1:12, Act 2:46, 1 Cor 11:33, John 3:4, Matt 19:16, Matt 22:35-36, Mark 9:32

-Training: We give many people the chance to deliver messages, so as to train them up and then send them out to new churches. Besides, everyone is called to evangelise Mat 28:19. After a while attendees get the opportunity to teach (and develop further in a weekly ministry class). 2 Tim 2:2, Eph 4:11-12, Luke 10:17 etc 
ministry school (3 hours x 1 day a week).

- church size. No individual church should be larger than 100 people, as large churches lose contact and relationship with their members. Rather than build a few mega churches, we seek to build many small churches where all members know and commune with each other.

    
- Correct roles, a teachers job is to deliver messages, a pastors job is to take care of the sheep (pastoral), they do home visits or other direct contact, especially if someone hasn't been to church. There are also other roles beyond the 5 fold ministry, Eph 4:11, 1 Pet 5:1-4 1 Cor 12:4-7-11, 28-31, Rom 12:6-8). 1 Peter 4:9-11: Titus 1:5-9, 2:3-5, 1 Tim 3:1-7,13.

- No titles, we don’t call people “Pastor”, “Apostle”, “Father”, or any other title as Yeshua said don't use titles Mat 23:8-12 (paraphrased). A person's role is not to be used as a title. 

- Support. Members and leaders of the church are expected to support each other, in personal growth and assistance when required and if possible (if it doesn’t become burdensome).  Especially business Acts 18:3 , Gal 6:2 Acts 4:32-35, 9:36-42

- Spirit Lead. The Holy Spirit is free to move, but not forced. We are pentecostal, though unlike other pentecostal churches. 1 cor 12:10, 28-30 14:5-6, 22-23, 39 (esp all 1 Cor 12) Rom 12:5-8.

- Business. We seek as a Church to buy or build businesses, to advance our cause and create income for members. This includes most business types, especially highly social and highly profitable simple businesses. They will be owned by a combination of 1. The church 2. Church members (who invest in each) and 3. Church members as staff (profit instead of pay). There will be some church representation in each business (as little as a symbol to full name with promotional posters and active evangelism etc). Acts 18:3 , Gal 6:2 Acts 4:32-35, 9:36-42 etc.
        - create motel and cafe chains. Narrow Door Cafe, NDM Surfers Paradise etc. (NDM = Narrow Door Motel)

- Annual conventions. Once a year many regional churches can combine for a week of mega meetings, but this should remain a yearly format, not weekly (to keep in touch effectively). Another annual convention should be held for church leaders to assist their growth etc.

- Contextual - Scripture should not be taken out of context – eg. Saved by grace (yes, but in context it doesn’t mean a prayer is enough, but just the beginning, you are to then repel sin and do what was taught). we clarify and don’t just pick small parts 2 Tim 2:15 Mark 12:24 Acts 17:11 2 Pet 3:16 etc.

- Tithes and offerings - 10% is expected but not demanded. Each collection shall be divided into 10% to the premises, 5% food, 35% to the person holding the meeting and delivering the message (maximum for them is 50 hours of national minimum wage). 20% to pastors and evangelists of that congregation (maximum is also 50 hours of national minimum wage each), 10% to charity through the polity, 20% to the polity (head office). The polity shall then break that money into 20% marketing, 20% offices/admin, 20% polity leaders (breakdown of this forthcoming *apex leader 150 hr min wage max, others 80-120 hrs max?), 20% maintenance (web and physical etc), 10% business ownership and 10% emergency fund. If there is unassigned money (beyond mentioned expenditure) from any congregation that money will pay any further premises costs and the remaining will also go to the polity. There are no expense funds, all ministry expenses are to come from that ministers income. Heb 7:5-9, 2Co_9:7 , Jas_2:16, 2Co_9:13, Jas_1:17, Act 2:45  
Any excess income will go to a holding fund to cover shortfalls and or investments as the Polity deems fit.
        - Business income shall be divided by ownership %  (improve)

- Excommunication. If a member of the congregation is not actively attempting to remove sin from their life and there is no evidence for such, after a reasonable time and reasonable efforts to help them change, they will be considered disreputable and communication with them by members or leaders of the church will be ordered to stop. 1 Cor 15:33, 1 john 3:6, 2 Cor 10:6, 1 Cor 5:12-13.

- if it’s not biblical we ignore it - We believe the whole bible, ignore prehistory and any non biblical arguments eg we have nothing to say about dinosaurs Gal 1:8-9:, 2 John 1:10, Rom 16:17, Titus 3:9-11 1 Cor 14:38  1 Tim 6:3–4

 

- minor stances > 
Drugs, addictions - We believe a disciple should actively attempt to avoid non pharmaceutical drugs except tea and coffee, but including marijuana and alcohol, especially addictive drugs. (note - alcohol is accepted biblically in small amounts). 

Politics - we do not support any political stance, nor do we believe a member of our church should be involved in party politics as parties aren’t likely to offer freedom of Godly views. A member however may involve themselves with independents (if said person is a biblically based christian), or even run themselves as an independent, or support non-representative democracy. 

Military - We believe war is UnGodly and therefore our members should avoid military service, however if their country needs to be defended as it is directly under attack by another country, then the defence of its borders may be considered reasonable for our members, (yet still not recommended, as life is more important than land). 
Personal appearance (makeup, tattoos etc) - We believe God made you the way you are and alteration of bodily appearance therefore is not Godly, so we suggest disciples should avoid these.

- Again we stress, these are minor stances (a person involved in these should not be avoided or kept from services etc, but merely encouraged to improve their life regarding these *unless they show continued disrepute because of them).

- The polity should have 2 levels (when there are enough members to justify this e.g. over 2 million members), They should have a maximum of 10 members in the executive level (highest), and a maximum of 50 members in the non-executive level (the lower). The polity should exist once there are at least 500 members of the church and at first there should be an executive member for each 500 members (at first - till there are 10 executive members). The same applies to the non-executive level as the previous sentence (replacing 500 with 500, 000 * 1 non-executive per ½ million). 
These roles are lifetime roles, but can be dissolved by executive vote if a member brings disrepute (nonchristian acts), or by the apex leader in such case. Appointment is made by executive vote.

The founder has final say till death. At such time will be replaced by a member appointed by him to be then known as the apex leader. The apex leader is also the primary representative.

The roles of the polity should be outlined here as soon as possible.

The tenants and Edicts of The Narrow Door may be revised by the founder, or by the polity if the polity has more than 9 members and more than 70% agreement in doing so.