The True Church an Example by

The True Church DEFINITION OF THE CHURCH The church is a universal body that is composed of the true believers of Christ. The church began during the Day of the Pentecost, where believers of Christ convened in one place, were baptized by the Holy Spirit in form of tongues of fire (D. McCallum, et. al). The church does not refer to the physical church but to the true believers of Christ united by the Holy Spirit to glorify the name of the Lord. The church is universal in the sense that it defies geographical elements of its membership. It is local in the sense that the community of believers comes together in a common place where they can freely worship the Lord. For these reasons, I believe that the church is an organism because it is composed of people living in Christ and continue to grow in the image and likeness of God. Need essay sample on "The True Church" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The church is visible because the true members of the church exhibit the characters or behaviors which identify them as the true member of a true church. It is invisible because its members have the inner characters that make her members have the assurance that they belong to the true church. Such invisible identities may come in the form of inner peace, the willingness and eagerness to follow Christs example. The true Church holds to the core beliefs of Christianity without subtracting or adding to them (M. Pate). On the other hand, a false church has doctrines that somehow deviate to any of the teachings of the Bible. It is important for a Christian to be actively involved in local church because it helps him to keep in communion with the other Christians so they can grow together in faith with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH The principal function of the church is to become a missionary or an apostle of Christ. The purpose of the Church is the "Great Commission", that is of proclaiming the Word of God, to grow in the Gospel of Christ and to die in the name of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The church therefore exist in order to have a united body of believers who will minister in teaching all nations, in teaching them to observe the commandments of Jesus Christ and who baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). The church function is to bring people t Christ by equipping them with faith from which they could star growing in communion with Christ. If people become believers and do the will of the Lord, they will become truly the light of the world. I believe that the church, in whatever form it may have been organized locally has to be more concerned of its function. Because the universality of the church defies geographical elements, true Christianity disregards whatever denomination one belongs. The measure of a true church lies on how its members perform its purpose and function. Regardless of form: Catholicism, Born Again Christianity or other denominations, a congregation of true believers can still be members of the true church. ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH I believe that the Congregational form of church government is the most appropriate for a church to employ because it is in this form where the rights of the members are all considered and placed high regard. The election of elders to be the leaders of the church makes the church government more of a consideration of morality and spiritual status than of having a formal education and extensive knowledge of the Bible. A church government must be composed of the elders who will conduct ordinances, sermons and of conducting religious rites and ceremonies. They may choose or let the people elect laymen who may assist them on other areas of the church undertakings like handling finances, the custody of its properties and on areas of organizing events. All of the offices or seats n the church government must be open to women. I believe that the primary criteria of choosing leaders are spiritual integrity and moral uprightness. It must not consider gender in offices that pertain to the ministry of the Word. However, on ministries that require manual and physical strength, this maybe applicable such as on church constructions. It is because the church purpose is to bring believers closer to God and that can only be achieved when its leaders are of excellent moral and spiritual uprightness. As community of believers united by the Holy Spirit, the church must based its decisions on what the Bible stands. Decision must be consulted first to God in prayer and must also be presented to the members. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH Baptism is an ordinance given to the church to be administered to believers only (G. Herrick). It has to be administered by those who first repented from their sins and has to be done by complete immersion into the water and not by mere sprinkling of water (Acts 3:19). Baptism should be administered only to those who can already decide for themselves. This is because church membership, which is symbolized by baptism, should be a willful membership to be decided upon by the person only and not by anyone else. Because the child cannot yet decide for himself nor does he understand what baptism is all about, a child should not undergo baptism until the time that he can already decide and have repented for his sins. The Lords Supper is an ordinance which symbolizes a Christians communion with Jesus Christ. It is important that Christians be able to participate in this ordinance in order to consistently remind us of the fact that Jesus once died on the cross for our sins. The ordinance should be observed at no specific frequency or time intervals. What is important is that the people should be given the opportunity to repent ad be cleansed first from their sins before they could partake into the ordinance. This is because in order for anyone to symbolically receive the body and blood of Christ, he must be truly has a clean heart. The ordinance must be presided by leaders of the church, such as the priests for the Roman Catholics and the church elders for the other denominations. It should be clear that the ordinance should be done in the most solemn way because what is the central element here is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ, and for that His presence in the ordinance must be recognized and be given reverence. MBIS DOCTRINAL STATEMENT Article I. God is a Person who has revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity, Father, Son and Holy Spiritthree Persons and yet one God. The Bible has been consistent in its claims and doctrines especially on the truth of the Holy Trinity. This evidenced by the connection of the Bible verses from both Old and New Testament which confirm each others truth. Article II The Bible, including both the Old and the New Testaments, is a pine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit. Everything that was written in the Holy Bible was directed and inspired by Holy Spirit through the holy servants of God. These Words by the Lord were written for the purpose of directing and guiding the people into a life that is worthy of God. Article III Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, which is to say, He is Himself very God; He took upon Himself our nature, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary [2]; He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the world [3]; He arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; He ascended into heaven in that body glorified, where He is now our interceding High Priest; He will come again personally and visibly to set up His Kingdom [4] and to judge the quick and the dead. Jesus was born of a virgin woman through the power of the Holy Spirit, who came to earth in undressing His pine personality, lived real human life and died on the cross for the sins of the world. He remained Holy because He have not sinned and has resurrected to be with the His Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ will later come down to earth for judgment of the living and the dead, both the holy one and the sinful human beings. Article IV Man was created [5] in the image of God but fell into sin, and, in that sense, is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; salvation is by grace through faith in Christ who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree; the retribution of the wicked and unbelieving and the rewards of the righteous are everlasting, and as the reward is conscious, so is the retribution [6]. All men were born of sinful nature and the only way to be saved from eternal damnation is through salvation, that is being born again by repentance and leaving the old sinful life behind. Salvation can only be achieved through the grace and by believing in Jesus and those who will live a life worthy of the Lord will have the everlasting life with the Lord in Heaven. Article V The Church [7] is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations; it will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air ere He appears to set up His kingdom [8]. The Church, which is composed of the true believers of Jesus Christ are commanded to spread the Good News to all nations and to bring all men closer to God. Believers, when Jesus come again to judge all men, will be rewarded with eternal life and be with the Lord in the newly created Kingdom of God. WORKS CITED Herrick, Greg. Ecclesiology: The Church Retrieved on July 10, 2007 from http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=731 McCallum, Dennis and Gary DeLashmutt. The New Testament Definition of the Church Retrieved on July 10, 2007 from http://www.xenos.org/classes/um1-1a.htm . adapted from The Introductory Study Guide: Understanding Ministry Pate, Marvin C. The Church Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. One True Church Claims. Retrieved on July 10, 200 from http://churches.net/churches/utmiss/Church/ONE%20TRUE%20CHURCH%20CLAIMS.htm

Do You Need a Book Editor Why Authors Have to Hire Editors

Do You Need a Book Editor Why Authors Have to Hire Editors Do You Need a Book Editor? Why Authors Have to Hire Editors Do you really need to hire a book editor- especially when you self-publish?Let’s face itGone are the days when an aspiring writer only dreamed of publishing. Technology has made self-publishing about as commonplace as learning to drive.Heres what youll learn about hiring a book editor:Why do you need a book editor?What does a book editor do?What the self-editing process isWhen to hire an editing teamWhat is a good book editorHow much does a book editor cost?Accepting that you need an editorNOTE: We cover everything in this blog post and much more about the writing, marketing, and publishing process in our VIP Self-Publishing Program. Learn more about it hereWhy do you need a book editor?Tried and true strategies for creating, producing, and organizing content are readily available to any aspiring author along with a wide range of self-publishing courses from self-publishing companies and free resources that decode the once mysterious process of writing and publishing a book.An yone willing to put in the time, energy, cost, and effort can crank out and self-publish a book. It’s really that simple. Well, that’s the good news.Far less straightforward, however, is the multifaceted, often undervalued topic of book editing- the essential step that makes your manuscript actually worth reading.Working with an editor is, in fact, so important that some authors, particularly fiction writers, begin their writing process with an editor’s support. Most authors seek the help of an editor at the end stages of their process, and, depending on how much work was put into the first draft, hiring an entire editorial team may be necessary. If this sounds costly and time-consuming, it definitely can be, but these are included in the cost of publishing a book. Fortunately, the work and cost of editing your manuscript can be mitigated by educating yourself about the process, incorporating editing costs into your overall budget, and learning how to self-edit your manuscript, so you can be prepared for the last step in turning your manuscript into a finished book. And you thought writing the manuscript was the hard part!The Self-Editing ProcessAfter the grueling first draft is complete, many first-time authors find themselves dismayed by the unforeseen cost of editing. Not to mention overwhelmed by the extensive rewriting they are suddenly burdened with just when they thought the heavy lifting was over. Most novice writers are unaware that revision is 80 percent of the work involved in book writing. So if you get to that glorious moment when you finish your rough draft only to feel beaten down when you realize just how much revising you have to do, you’re not alone.For those unaware of what it will ultimately take to polish your manuscript for publication, the back-end job you are presented with at the last stages of writing a book can be both costly and extensive if you didn’t devote ample time to editing early drafts.But there is hope!Considering the following can help you prepare your draft for editorial review and save you money.When to Hire Your Editing TeamYes, I said â€Å"team.† When I worked in traditional publishing, every manuscript went through no less than four separate editors. Sometimes close to a dozen rounds of editing.And you know what? There were still usually a few typos that slipped through!Let that sink in for a second.Just as producing a manuscript involves a varied skill set- writing, formatting, cover design, etc.- so does editing it. Depending on your genre, writing skills, experience, and how much time you put into revising your draft and incorporating the feedback of trustworthy readers, you can determine which kind of editor you need to get you to the next phase without spending extra time and money. Estimating editing costs (along with the approximate time it will take to complete each stage of the editing process) in your budget and timeline will also save you ti me and energy finding top-notch editors you can afford. What makes a good book editor can I afford one?Well, yes. But only if you are willing to put the time and effort into your manuscript.Before you start reaching out to prospective editors, it is important to assess the work you’ve done from an objective standpoint so you can shop according to your budget and particular needs.Consider the following before hiring a book editor:Your overall budget for editingHow many beta readers have provided feedback (people who read your rough draft)Your experience levelYour timelineHow much time has been spent reworking the textIf you’ve never worked with an editor before, it’s important to know who does what and when to employ their services.There are a few different types of edits to be aware of before hiring an editor.Developmental editors address the big picture, looking closely at the content to analyze structure, plot, and characters in works of fiction and the rheto rical concerns, organization, and overall flow of ideas in non-fiction. Content editors analyze the existing content in the book itself. Specifically paragraph flow, tense, voice, and readability. Just remember that all editing is subjective. What one editor likes, another may not. So it is super important to find someone who specializes in your book genre for this stage.Copy editors focus on the nitty-gritty of grammar, syntax, punctuation, and clarity and may also revise and rework particular sentences or paragraphs. Proofreaders are the last readers/editors in line who myopically comb through the manuscript for any remaining errors. Just remember, if you didn’t have your draft copyedited first, the proofreader is unlikely to catch everything.Keep in mind no one is perfect. Typos happen. It’s just life.Depending on your genre, skillset, and budget, you may want to consult with developmental editors after you’ve written several chapters or even as you outline y our book and brainstorm.This will help you steer clear of major revision (hopefully) and set you on course for a smooth book writing process. In general, it’s a good idea to start assembling your team as you near the end stages and prepare yourself and your manuscript for editorial review.Heres an example of what you can (and should) find regarding the different types of book edits when you research your own editor.How Much Does a Book Editor Cost?Most editors do not charge by the hour. Book editing costs are assessed based on word count or by the page, and editing rates differ depending on the type you need. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $.05-.18 per word for copyediting, $.03-.07 for developmental editing, and $.01-.02 for proofreading.These costs vary greatly depending on the editor’s experience, reputation, demand, and the amount of work they will need to put into your draft. It is not uncommon to spend several thousand dollars editing a full-lengt h book. But fear not! There are various approaches you can take to keep costs low if money is an issue.Heres how you can save money when hiring an editor:Assemble a team of beta readers who can provide feedback for revisions during the writing process. Share several chapters at a time, incorporate any feedback into your revisions, and choose people who are willing to give you honest notes. This can be particularly helpful for content-related issues.Consider hiring a college student or reader with a background in English who has a passion for editing and won’t be concerned about hurting your feelings.Check out freelance websites like UpWorkor even a great site called Scribendi. (Warning: if you source an editor from these sites, make sure you hire another, professional set of eyes to go over it afterward. There is no way to know what you are getting otherwise. Just because the draft comes back better than it was before, does not mean it was well-edited!)Take the time to educat e yourself about grammar, punctuation, outlining, and other technical issues, especially for nonfiction works. Rely on websites such as The Owl at Purdue for style guidelines and support with grammar, punctuation, and research concerns.Fiction writers may want to join a writers group or workshop to benefit from the help of others who have experience with your genre and can help you develop your craft, challenge flaws in your narrative or character development, and help you improve the overall quality of your story. A flawed plot or character is much harder to revise after you finish writing your book, so it’s important to catch such problematic aspects of your book early on.Don’t overestimate your skills and brilliance as an author! At least not when you’re working your early drafts. Even the best writers agonize over and discard much of what they initially produce, as there is simply no way around combining inspiration with structure.Read books on writing, seek information about the kind of writing you’re doing, and find ways to approach your work with a fresh perspective.Give yourself ample time and space away from your project so you can see it as clearly and objectively as possible.Accept that you will never be totally objective about your writing, and that you will need, no matter how great your book is, the help of others to turn your manuscript into a masterpiece.Your Book is Still Your BookWhen all is said and done, just keep in mind this is your book and no one else’s. The beauty of self-publishing is that you have the final say in your own work.There is no big, bad publisher denouncing your creative freedom.If you don’t agree with some of the suggested edits, delete them! Your editors don’t know your book-baby as well as you do. So, while expert feedback is essential to creating a polished, professional-quality book, have some faith in yourself and your writing.You chose to write for a reason. So keep that in mind as your editor chops up the book you worked oh-so-hard on.When you find the right editors (and it may take a few tries), whom you work well with, hold onto them! If you do, it will be mutually beneficial as you create and build together.Happy editing!Are you ready to publish your book for success?Hiring a book editor is just one of the many steps necessary in the publishing process.In order to avoid making mistakes when publishing, watch our free training that goes into depth on how to succeed as a self-published author.