Although a local church is a gathering of like-minded believers, no fellowship based on people will work. "Truly our fellowship," said John, "is with the FATHER, and with HIS SON JESUS CHRIST" (1 Jn. 1:3). Matthew 18:20 states: "For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, there am I in the midst of them."
It is so easy to be distracted from CHRIST, to find ourselves gathering to a preacher, a set of doctrines, a sacrament, or form of church government. This is very different from being gathered to CHRIST. We want to recognize HIS headship (Col. 1:18) in our assembly practically. We believe HE deserves this, for it is HIS church: "CHRIST also loved the church and gave HIMSELF for it" (Eph. 5:25).