An earnest young Christian moves to a small town with two churches. Church A is staunchly committed to New Testament principles of eldership, the Lord's supper, the priesthood of all believers, and related truths. But sadly, a few visits reveal a lack of spiritual fervour in the assembly.
Evangelistic zeal seems non-existent.
The prayer meeting lacks power and unction. Dryness and complacency hang like a pall over the meetings on the Lord's day. Church B, by contrast, is a hotbed of spiritual activity, filled with warm-hearted, growing Christians. Souls are being saved, sound doctrine is taught, the atmosphere is encouraging, and the fellowship sweet. These brethren, however, either do not see or do not attach much importance to certain aspects of the New Testament pattern for the church.