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Church Government

Church Government. Church Government. God. Christ. Elders. Deacons. Preacher. Members. What do we mean by ‘Church Government’?. What is an organization?. Why do we need ‘Church Government’ or organization ?. To meet the needs of the soul To nurture unity

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Church Government

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  1. Church Government

  2. Church Government God Christ Elders Deacons Preacher Members

  3. What do we mean by ‘Church Government’?

  4. What is an organization?

  5. Why do we need ‘Church Government’ or organization? • To meet the needs of the soul • To nurture unity • To insure proper balance of emphasis • To recognize the priesthood of all believers • To diffuse power • To remain flexible * from “Leadership for Christ in the local church” by James R. Wilburn

  6. So, what really is ‘Church Government’? It’s not… … an organization chart. … a power hierarchy. … about who’s the ‘boss’. It is a ‘pattern’… … 2 Tim 1:13; Rom 6:17 … Eph 4:4-6 – Apostles taught same doctrine to each church It is about … … roles, … respect, … submission, … authority.

  7. Key Aspects in the Church • Each church is under the Lordship of Christ • Matt 28:18 – All authority given to Jesus • Roles • A function performed especially in a particular operation or process. • Submission • The condition of being humble or compliant. • An act of submitting to the authority of another. • Authority • Ability to influence thought, opinion or behavior. • Respect • Giving high or special regard; esteem.

  8. What are the scriptural roles defined in the NT? Elders Deacons Disciples Evangelists/Preachers

  9. Elders • Much confusion in the leadership structure in churches today. • Pope, archbishops, bishops, parish priests, pastor & board of directors, etc. • No reference to these structures in the Bible. • Three words in NT that describe the Elder role: • Elder – role requires older, wiser, experienced men • Overseer – oversees the local Church • Shepherd/pastor – refers to one who pastors or feeds a flock of sheep.

  10. Elders • Elders are responsible to God for: • Overseeing a particular flock, • To tend and feed that flock, • Be examples to that flock, • Oversight is limited to the flock they oversee • 1Peter 5:1-4

  11. Elders • Qualifications - (1 Tim 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-9) • Blameless • Husband of one wife • Having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination • Blameless as a steward of God • Not self-willed • Not quick-tempered • Not given to wine • Not violent • Not greedy for money • Hospitable • A lover of what is good • Sober-minded • Just • Holy • Self-controlled • Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught • Able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict

  12. Elders • Multiple elders in every congregation • Acts 11:30 – Elders in Jerusalem • Acts 14:23 – Appoint Elders • Acts 15:1-16:4 – Elders came together to discuss • Acts 20:17-38 – Called for the Elders • Acts 21:18-25 – Elders in Jerusalem • Ephesians 4:11-16 • Philippians 1:1 – Bishops • 1Timothy 3:1-7 • 1Timothy 4:14 – Eldership • 1Timothy 5:17-22 – Elders in Ephesus • Titus 1:5-9 – Appoint Elders • James 5:14-20 – Elders of the church • 1Peter 5:1-7 – Elders among you

  13. Elders • Appointed by men • Acts 14:23 – “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” • Titus 1:5 – “ … that you might put into order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” • God ordains; men appoint. • Denominations often ‘ordain’ ministers, elders, deacons.

  14. Deacons • Deacons are responsible to God to serve the Church wherever there is a need • Means “servant” or “minister” • “Minister” does not necessarily mean “preacher” • Examples • Moses father-in-law • Acts 6:1-7 – the choosing of the seven

  15. Deacons • What is the work of deacons? • To serve the church wherever there is a need • Address physical needs of the congregation • Food • Clothing • Housing • Medical • Etc. • Work in different ministries and capacities to do God’s work • Preaching the gospel to the world • To care for, encourage, build up each other to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

  16. Deacons • Qualifications – 1 Tim 3:9-13 • Reverent • Not double-tongued • Not given to much wine • Not greedy for money • Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience • Blameless • Having a wife who is reverent, not slanderous, temperate, and faithful in all things • Husbands of one wife • Ruling their children and own houses well

  17. Evangelists/Preachers • The Great Commission • Matt 28:16-20 • The worker is worth his wages • Luke 10:7 • Big difference between the Elder and Preacher roles. • Today, many preachers take the title ‘pastor’ and practice one-man shepherding. This has no basis in scripture. • A preacher may not meet the qualifications of an elder.

  18. Disciples • Must take responsibility for knowing the Word. • 2 Tim 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” • A member of the priesthood. • 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” • Submit to the leadership of the elders. • 1 Peter 5:5

  19. Autonomy • Elders in every church – Acts 14:23 • Local rule & oversight – Acts 20:17, 28 • Independent congregations – Heb 8:5 • Equality of Churches – Eph 4:11-12 • Responsibility is measured by each Church’s ability - 2 Cor 8:10-14 • No “Mother Church” or “Sponsoring Church” in NT

  20. So, what is ‘Church Government’ all about? • Respecting each other. • Recognizing that we all have different roles and talents within the Church. • Recognizing that submission demonstrates love and respect. • Knowing that authority can only be given by God. • Recognizing that each believer is a priest in the Kingdom of God.

  21. Church Government God Christ Elders Preacher Deacons Members

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