Here’s what they stood for. They believed in:
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serving instead of ruling,
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breaking down walls instead of isolationism,
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biblical authority instead of ecclesiastical
tradition,
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brotherhood instead of hierarchy,
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the towel instead of the sword,
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the headship of Christ instead of that of any
pastor,
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the way of peace instead of “just war,”
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the church as a living organism instead of as a
human institution,
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the reign of God instead of a political
kingdom,
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the catholicity of the true church instead of
sectarianism,
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the power of suffering instead of the cult of
power,
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the Bible as a book of the church instead of as a
book of scholars,
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loyalty to their heavenly citizenship instead
of loyalty to the principalities and powers,
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Spirit-orientation instead of forced structures
of church life,
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being a “light to the nations” instead of a
Christian enclave,
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suffering instead of inflicting suffering,
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knowing Christ instead of merely knowing about
Him,
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faith that works (in both senses)
instead of dead orthodoxy,
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effectual grace as a living reality instead of
as a theological dogma,
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every-member ministry instead of clergyism,
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baptism into Christ instead of baptism into a
denomination,
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a unity that is lived instead of a unity that
is merely extolled,
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welcoming the despised and marginalized instead
of ignoring them,
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a hermeneutic of obedience instead of a
hermeneutic of knowledge,
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individual conscience instead of theological
conformity,
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volunteerism instead of professionalism,
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and allegiance to Christ instead of allegiance
to the state.