The "Marks" of the Church

Howard Snyder has written a fascinating book entitled "Decoding the Church". Using the genetic code of DNA as the model, it delves into theological analysis, biblical principles, and practical application for understanding the structure and mission of the church today. This week I'm going to pull some of the key learnings from the book and take a look at the DNA of the church.



Snyder begins by recalling the Nicene Creed and its profound impact on the structure and thought of the church today. The Council of Nicea declared that the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Christians of different traditions have accepted these four classic characteristics of the church as fundamental components of its DNA. These four classic characteristics, or "marks" have been accepted throughout the centuries. And yet, is there more?



According to Snyder's thought patterns, the marks only tell half the story. They highlight only one side of the church's DNA. It would be more biblically accurate to say that the church is:

• Diverse as well as One


• Charismatic as well as Holy


• Local as well as Catholic or Universal


• Prophetic as well as Apostolic

The genetic code of DNA helps complete the picture. DNA is always made up of four base pairs of compounds. The components of each pair are not opposites but are complementary. Likewise, the contrasting set of marks listed above are not in opposition to each other but are instead complementary. They are essential truths that are at tension with yet necessary to each other.

If the church operates out of the classic marks of one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, then it in effect is living with only half of its DNA. When churches operate with their full DNA, the become the wonderful organism of the church. The church is simultaneously one and diverse, holy and charismatic, catholic and local, apostolic and prophetic. The two contrasting sets of characteristics together make up the complex reality of the church. Each pair represents complementary facets of the church's life that are essential to its genetic makeup.

If your church began to think more in organic terms, defining the church as the body instead of as an organization or building, what changes might occur?