The 8 Marks of a Red Letter Church
A Red Letter Church is a Church that returns to the simple teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Below are 8 distinctions of a RLC.
1
Preach the Gospel of Christ
A Red Letter Church proclaims the gospel as Jesus defined it—the good news that the Kingdom of God has arrived through Jesus the Christ. Christ is not Jesus’ last name; it is his title. He is the anointed one—the true Prophet, Priest, and King promised by Scripture.
Jesus did not primarily preach a message about escaping the world after death, but about God’s reign breaking into the world now through him. He announced, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:14–15).
As Prophet, Jesus reveals God’s will and speaks with final authority (John 6:14, John 12:49–50). As Priest, he offers himself for the forgiveness of sins, reconciling kingdom citizens to God through the cross (Hebrews 9:11–12). As King, he reigns over an eternal kingdom with laws shaped by his words and a people marked by obedience (John 18:36-37).
To preach the gospel is to call people to change their allegiance, submit to Jesus as Lord and Christ, and become citizens of his eternal kingdom—seeking it first above every other loyalty (Matthew 6:33).
2
Be Disciples of Jesus
Jesus never used the word Christian. He called his followers disciples. Scripture says, “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch” (Acts 11:26), making clear that the two terms describe the same reality: people who follow Jesus.
To be a disciple is to enter a rabbi–student relationship with Jesus himself—learning his teachings, imitating his life, and obeying his commands. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples” (John 8:31). Belief alone is not enough. Obedience is the mark of true discipleship.
A Red Letter Church intentionally follows Jesus, not men. We are not disciples of pastors, theologians, denominations, or traditions. Jesus said, “You have one Teacher—the Messiah” (Matthew 23:8), and his words remain the final authority for faith and practice.
A Red Letter Church does not create Christians by affiliation or ritual. It forms disciples who sit at the feet of Jesus and allow his words, not human opinions, to shape their beliefs, behavior, and identity—until they become like their Teacher (Luke 6:40).
3
Get Baptized & Repent
Jesus taught that entering the Kingdom requires repentance—a decisive turning away from sin. Repentance is not mere regret; it is a change of direction. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” Jesus proclaimed (Matthew 4:17).
In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded that new disciples be baptized and then taught to obey everything he commanded (Matthew 28:18–20). Baptism is the moment we give our allegiance to Jesus as Lord.
From the first sermon in Acts onward, the pattern is clear: “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). A Red Letter Church treats baptism as obedience, not ceremony, and repentance as the doorway into new life.
4
Meet in Homes
Jesus did not establish a temple-centered religion. He formed a table-centered community. The earliest churches gathered in homes, not buildings, sharing life, food, prayer, and Scripture together (Acts 2:46; Romans 16:5).
Home gatherings create space for participation, accountability, and real relationship. Jesus promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). Church does not require a stage, budget, or professional clergy—it requires obedience and presence.
A Red Letter Church meets simply, locally, and relationally, removing unnecessary barriers so the church can multiply organically and remain faithful to Jesus’ model.
5
Take Communion and Eat a Meal Weekly
The first church gathering was the Last Supper. Jesus commanded his disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Communion was not a quarterly ritual but a shared meal, centered on Jesus’ body and blood.
The early church understood this clearly. When they gathered, they ate together and took the Lord’s Supper as the centerpiece of their time (1 Corinthians 11:20–26). This practice shaped their unity and love for one another.
A Red Letter Church gathers weekly around the table—remembering Christ, proclaiming his death, and anticipating the kingdom feast to come (Matthew 26:29). The table is where theology becomes embodied community.
6
Jesus’ final command was not to build churches, host events, or attract crowds. He said, “Go and make disciples… teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
Making disciples means walking with people over time—baptizing them, teaching Jesus’ words, and helping them obey. It is slow, relational, and costly, just as it was for Jesus. Programs don’t scale, but disciples reproduce.
Every disciple is called to make disciples. There is no professional class. The mission of the church is multiplication through obedience, not expansion through attraction (Luke 10:1–2).
Make Disciples
7
Have Participatory Gatherings
Jesus did not design gatherings around spectatorship. The early church gathered in ways that allowed everyone to contribute. Scripture says, “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
Participatory gatherings cultivate spiritual maturity, shared responsibility, and mutual encouragement. Rather than a monologue from one person, the body builds itself up through dialogue, prayer, Scripture, and discernment.
A Red Letter Church rejects performance-driven worship in favor of Spirit-led participation, trusting that Jesus is present and active among his people.
8
Practice Church Discipline
Jesus cared deeply about the holiness and health of his community. When sin threatens the body, love requires action. Jesus outlined a clear process for correction, restoration, and, when necessary, separation (Matthew 18:15–20).
Church discipline is not punishment—it is discipleship. Its goal is repentance, reconciliation, and healing. Paul echoed this practice in the early churches, emphasizing accountability rooted in love (1 Corinthians 5:1–13).
A Red Letter Church takes Jesus seriously enough to obey him even when it is uncomfortable, trusting that truth and grace together produce life.
Find (or Start) a Red Letter Church
The following groups have said that they practice the 8 marks of a Red Letter Church listed above. Reach out to them about visiting this Sunday. Email me to add your gathering to this list so others can find you.
Florida
Bonita Springs
Bronson & Megan Taylor
(239) 405-1770
bronson.taylor@gmail.com
RLC-Founded
Arcadia
Travis & Brittany Muse
(863) 303-1453
travisgmuse@gmail.com
RLC-Founded
Palm Bay
Adam
(321) 294-3655
spacecoasthousechurches@gmail.com
RLC-Affiliated
Melbourne
Adam
(321) 294-3655
spacecoasthousechurches@gmail.com
RLC-Affiliated
Orlando
Curtis Reed
(818) 633-4387
curt1reed@gmail.com
RLC-Affiliated
South Carolina
Clemson
John Porter
(864) 328-6262
fromhousetohouseinfo@gmail.com
RLC-Affiliated
Ohio
Spring Valley
Chris & Amy Schenck
(937) 305-8941
cbs42@yahoo.com
RLC-Affiliated
California
Sacramento
Brian Anderson
ba.windows@gmail.com
RLC-Connected
Indiana
Fort Wayne
Christopher & Wendy DeLong
(260) 209-4955
chrisandwendydelong@gmail.com
RLC-Connected
Transparency
The groups listed above fall into different levels of involvement with RLC, and we want to be transparent about that. Here are the three kinds of groups listed above.
RLC-Founded – groups we have personally started or directly planted
RLC-Affiliated – groups informed by our teaching, resources, or close collaborators
RLC-Connected – groups that have reached out and requested inclusion