There is a growing trend of describing churches as “gospel-centred.” In India, this is neither new nor novel. We have churches, denominations, and networks which root their identity in the gospel. It is central to the way they see themselves. So what is different about a “gospel-centred church?”
The gospel is central to the life and health of a local church. The gospel means good news. It declares what God has done for our salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life of obedience on our behalf, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. Those who trust in Christ’s work on their behalf are gloriously and eternally forgiven. They are saved, redeemed, and adopted as God’s own children. This is good news!
To be gospel-centred is to root our life and identity in this good news. It is to work out the implications of the gospel for our context and generation. In an ever-changing culture of complexity, we must understand the deep and rich significance of the gospel. We must let its beauty and truth bear upon every area of our lives.
Therefore, a gospel-centred church is committed to leading people in a growing understanding of who God is, a growing appreciation for Christ, and a growing dependence on the Holy Spirit. Its theology and practice is rooted in the gospel of grace and marked by a lifestyle of repentance and faith. Since its identity is rooted in Christ, it results in a transformation of life.
Here are three things distinctive of a gospel-centered church.
Christ Exalting Worship
As people gather to worship on Sundays, one distinct aspect of a gospel-centred church is the focus on exalting Christ. Every church seeks to do that in various ways. But a gospel-centred church—through its liturgy, songs, and sermons—displays and points to Christ as its hope, week after week (1 Cor. 2:2, 2 Cor. 5:18-21).
The liturgy, whether explicit or implicit, helps people rehearse the gospel message through confession of sin and assurance of forgiveness, based on Christ’s work on the cross.
A gospel-centred church presents the gospel as true, good, and beautiful.
The songs are not primarily centred on our needs or emotions. Rather, they exalt the triune God—the love of God the Father, the sacrifice and obedience of Jesus our Saviour, and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. As we sing, we are drawn into deeper praise to God for his nature. We have profound appreciation and gratitude for what Jesus has accomplished for us. We have a genuine longing for the Spirit to change our lives.
The sermon shines the light on Christ as all-sufficient and all-satisfying. It moves our hearts by reminding us of our sin and our desperate need for a Saviour. It calls people to obey not out of duty but delight in the finished work of Christ. There is a clarity in exposition of Scripture that calls people out of a religious attitude or a secular apathy. A gospel-centered church presents the gospel as true, good, and beautiful.
Grace Filled Community
Community life is distinctive of a gospel-centred church. In the Indian context, certain aspects of community come very naturally to us. We are hospitable, enjoy spending time with people, and labour to honour our guests. Though these are admirable qualities, a gospel-centered church places a substantial emphasis on even more aspects of community such as humility, honesty, and generosity.
Gospel-centred community life is refreshingly open about its struggles. People lean on each other for comfort and counsel. Believers display a growing vulnerability about sin that leads to repentance and forgiveness. There is a welcoming culture toward people who are new and genuine love for people who are different in any way.
Gospel-centred community life is refreshingly open about its struggles.
People in such a community have a sense of belonging to the body of Christ. They move from being strangers to becoming friends and family. There is truth and love in our conversations, forgiveness and reconciliation in our conflicts, as well as empathy and compassion in our suffering.
We are describing a grace-filled community. The church not only preaches the gospel of grace from the pulpit but displays a culture of grace with one another. Such a grace-filled community is joyful and irresistible. Life in such a community oozes with the fragrance of freedom, the warmth of genuine affection, acts of kindness, and the desire to be faithful and fruitful in Christ.
Missional Presence in the World
The gospel transforms people to be ambassadors for Christ in the world (2 Cor. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:11-12). A gospel-centred church cannot but love people—those who work or study with them daily, the ones who cross their paths during chores or errands, their neighbours, friends, and acquaintances.
Evangelism and discipleship is not merely a program but a culture. There is a growing desire to serve the least and unfortunate in their larger community. The gospel helps reimagine the call of God for individuals with respect to their family life, as a student, or a professional, and as a citizen of this country.
The outside world experiences a gospel-centred church as one with an attitude of humility. It has a tone that is gentle, words that are winsome, fervently stands for justice, remains confident in truth, and it is full of mercy.
A gospel-centered church is not only good for the world. It is good for the universal church. There is a healthy respect toward other traditions and denominations, a genuine desire for partnership for the flourishing of all people, and a sense of unity as brothers and sisters in Christ. The gathered church exalts Christ on Sunday and the scattered church displays Christ during the weekdays.
Is a gospel-centred church a new kind of church? Absolutely not. It is biblical and historical. There are thousands of churches in India that may not articulate the nuances of a gospel-centered church in this way. Yet they are faithful in preaching Christ, gracious with one another, and labouring to make and multiply disciples of Jesus.
God calls all churches to grow deeper in their understanding and experience of the power of the gospel, which empowers us to apply it honestly to all of life and ministry.
