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Secrets of the Kingdom Life  /  Chapter 26, The Limitations of Church Standards  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 2
David Bercot points out omissions in even “beneficial and comprehensive” rules of life (war, oaths, head coverings); how should a serious Christian respond when their church standards are silent about specific New Testament teachings that feel culturally awkward or costly to practice?
Another way to ask: What should a serious Christian do when their church rules don’t mention a clear New Testament teaching that feels awkward or costly to follow? How do you respond without just ignoring it?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s teaching, a serious Christian should not treat silence in church standards as permission to ignore Jesus; instead, they should set their “compass” on Scripture and adopt personal obedience even when it is awkward or costly.

Support from Transcript:

  • Even the “beneficial and comprehensive” Methodist rule had “glaring omissions,” including “going to war, taking oaths, or head coverings.”
  • He says Christians can obey standards and still be “disobedient to Christ” because standards don’t cover everything.
  • He urges that “our primary relationship and loyalty is to Christ himself,” not the rulebook.
  • “Those of us who belong to a church with standards must always keep in mind that no church’s standards can cover every commandment.”
  • He says we should view standards as “the minimum level of Christian conduct.”
  • “Just because our church hasn’t formally addressed a particular New Testament teaching… doesn’t mean we are free to ignore it.”
Discussion Follow-ups Bercot doesn’t explain exactly how to introduce costly practices in a local church, but his counsel points toward personal faithfulness without a “holier than thou” spirit.

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