Every church has a “DNA” – a set of deeply rooted values or characteristics that define it. We often describe our DNA as “gospel-centered.” So what does that mean, exactly?

Churches often obscure the glory of the gospel by reducing it to something less than it is. Some understand the gospel only as doctrinal content to be believed. Others diminish it to a personal, subjective experience of God’s presence. Still others see it as a social cause to be championed. The gospel is none of these, and yet it is all of these. A truly gospel-centered church understands and embraces the fullness of the gospel as message, community, and mission.

GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Gospel is a message that is to be preached or proclaimed (Mark 1:14; Acts 14:21; Rom 1:15; 1 Peter 1:12). It is the story of God’s redemption of his fallen creation. It is the good news that God has acted in history to conquer evil and reconcile sinners to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:1-12). The gospel changes our relationship with God from one of hostility or slavish compliance to one of intimacy and joy. The core dynamic of gospel–centered ministry is therefore worship and fervent prayer. In corporate worship God’s people receive a special life–transforming sight of the worth and beauty of God, and then give back to God suitable expressions of his worth (Romans 12:1, John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:1)

GOSPEL COMMUNITY

The church is not a place, but a people – a community that is continually being reformed and renewed by the transforming power of the gospel (Col. 1:6). The gospel is not just a message to be believed, but a power to be experienced (Rom 1:16). Because the gospel removes both fear and pride, people should get along inside the church who could never get along outside. The gospel shapes a new community as those who were formerly God’s enemies are reconciled to Him (Rom 5:10) and adopted into his family (Gal 4:4-7).

GOSPEL MISSION

The gospel is a call to action – a declaration that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). God is not just interested in the salvation of humans, but in the restoration of all of creation to its original “good” (Gen 1:31; Rom 8:19-22). Because the gospel (unlike religious moralism) produces people who do not disdain those who disagree with them, a truly gospel–centered community should be filled with members who winsomely address people’s hopes and aspirations with Christ and his saving work.  A gospel-centered church will be active in the work of mercy, justice, and cultural renewal, praying and working against the effects of sin so that God’s will might be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).

This explains how gospel DNA shapes a church. But how does the gospel transform the life of an individual?