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… welcoms you

… welcoms you. Biblical Models of Leadership Church Government Models and their consequences in practice Max Schläpfer in cooperation with Dr. Markus Koch. Biblical Models of Leadership. The big question Is there a uniform biblical doctrine regarding how the church should be governed?

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… welcoms you

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  1. … welcoms you

  2. Biblical Models of Leadership Church Government Models and their consequences in practice Max Schläpfer in cooperation with Dr. Markus Koch Biblical Models of Leadership

  3. The big question Is there a uniform biblical doctrine regarding how the church should be governed? This theological question has to be answered from the Bible’s point of view. It must not be left to secular experts (economists, lawyers, MBAs, entrepreneurs, trustees, etc.) who will structure the church according to their secular background while pastors Biblical Models of Leadership

  4. Clarification of the question: It is an important question, because as as Millard J. Erickson mentions: “The question of church government is in the final analysis a question of where authority resides within the church and who is to exercise it” MILLARD J. ERICKSON, Christian Theology, 2nd Ed., Grand Rapids, 2002, p. 1080. Biblical Models of Leadership

  5. What does the Bible say about models of Church Government? Compared to the biblical doctrines of man’s sinfulness and justification by faith, the instructions of the Bible concerning church government have a more descriptivecharacter than a normative regulatory one. The only truly normative regulations are found in the list of basic qualifications for elders and deacons by Paul (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Biblical Models of Leadership

  6. We Can State with GILBERT W. KIRBY:(Article "Church, the", in: Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible”, Vol. 1, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, p. 854.) The NT does not lay down precise rules either as to the form of ministry or of government of the Church. Over the centuries several different theories of church government have emerged, each of which claims some scriptural basis. Biblical Models of Leadership

  7. The four major systems of Church Government What we have said so far, has to be stated more precisely: In church history, the development of church government was not restricted to the various theories thereof. Basic theological premises led tofour major systems of church government that we should be aware of. Biblical Models of Leadership

  8. The Theological Concept of Order Each of these systems is based on the theological concept of order that the representatives of the respective systems found in the Bible. This concept of order is the key biblical thought that contains a permanent valid biblical truth. Biblical Models of Leadership

  9. Our Task It is part of our task as leaders of movements to uncover the key biblical thought of every concept and to develop the best possible church government model for our situation by taking into consideration the existing sociological, political and cultural context. Biblical Models of Leadership

  10. Assumption In his all-surpassing intelligence the Holy Spirit purposely did not prescribe a certain church government model. This allows contextualization in very diverse conditions. Biblical Models of Leadership

  11. No dogma but completion It is wrong to regard our existing respective type of church government as dogma and then turn against others. Rather, we should listen to the essential biblical truth that is present in each of these models. Remember: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Pet 5:5). Biblical Models of Leadership

  12. Again: GILBERT W. KIRBY:(Article "Church, the", in: Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 1, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, p. 855) None of the present day systems of church government can claim to have solely scriptural justification, although there are elements in the NT which gave rise to each of them. It is significant that in the course of history God has been pleased to give His blessing on more than one form of Christian order. Biblical Models of Leadership

  13. The four major systems of Church Government • Non-Governmental (the church is led directly through the Holy Spirit) • Congregational (the church is led by the congregation) • Presbyterian (the church is lead by a group of elders) • Episcopal (the church is led by bishops) Biblical Models of Leadership

  14. Different degrees of structure We will begin our study with the less structured models and continue on to the more strongly structured approaches. Taking into consideration growth cycles, we can say, that smaller churches tend to adopt a less structured form while larger churches need more structure. Biblical Models of Leadership

  15. From a perspective of growth From the perspective of growth, it would be wrong to define one model of church government for churches of all sizes. A good knowledge of the following types of church government models however, will prove to be helpful. Biblical Models of Leadership

  16. Non-governmental Church Government (1)(The church is led directly through the Holy Spirit) The representatives of this model not only declare all organization of the visible church as unnecessary but sometimes even as sinful. Consequently, these groups try to eliminate leadership structures wherever possible. They emphasise the inner work of the Holy Spirit who directly influences and leads the believer without the necessity of an organisation or institution. Biblical Models of Leadership

  17. Non-governmental (2) Quakers for examples, stress the concept of the “inner light”. There is no actual church membership. The local meetings do have something like an overseer or elder for reasons of organisation but without leadership functions. Decisions are not made by the unity of the Spirit. Biblical Models of Leadership

  18. Non-govermental (3) The Plymouth Brethren believe that the church on earth exists only as an invisible church, which consists of all true believers. Therefore, an organization with specific administrators of office is not necessary. The presidency of the Holy Spirit is the all moving power. Biblical Models of Leadership

  19. Non-govermental (4) Non-denominational Pentecostals and small Pentecostal churches within Pentecostal associations believe that a deep confidence in the direct work of the Holy Spirit makes a structural organisation largely unnecessary. This assumption is generally combined with a very intense doctrine of holiness and the emphasis on a sensitivity toward the work of the Holy Spirit. This can even lead to the point, that this direct work of the Holy Spirit is considered the primary source of God’s revelation and not the Holy Scripture. Biblical Models of Leadership

  20. Non-govermental (5) The Biblical key thought: The right biblical key thought expressed by this model is the priesthood of all believers. All believers are able - without institutional or organizational intermediate structures - to be in direct contact with God. This is clearly expressed in many Scripture passages and is an indisputable key biblical thought (Rom 5:1-5; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 4:14-16). There is no need for another human mediator. All believers stand directly before God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. All believers are also directly able to discern God’s will. Biblical Models of Leadership

  21. Non-govermental (6) The biblical limits to this model: As an exegesis of 1 Corinthians shows, individual believers in Corinth thought that their direct relationship to Christ exempted them from needing human leadership structures (1 Cor 1:12). Paul corrected this extreme position by demonstrating the value of order and clear leadership structures. Biblical Models of Leadership

  22. Non-govermental (7) The biblical limits to this model: Paul also corrects the extreme emphasis on the spontaneous work of the Spirit by referring to the value of order: So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Cor 14:39-40) Biblical Models of Leadership

  23. Non-govermental (8) The biblical limits to this model: Acts 6 also indicates that the necessity of assigning responsibilities to designated people for specific ministries already arose in the first phase of church development. The Holy Spirit endorsed this decision by the following testimony of his work: And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem…(Acts 6:7). Biblical Models of Leadership

  24. Non-govermental (9) Conclusion 1: In light of this model, every more highly structured church government model must ask itself: Does our structure and organisation hinder or obscure the biblical key thought of the general priesthood of all believers? To what extent do we still trust every individual believer to stand directly before God and receive impulses of the Holy Spirit? Biblical Models of Leadership

  25. Non-govermental (10) Conclusion 2: Very small or pioneer churches must ask themselves if they do enough emphasise the value of order as Paul did. If the church does not receive teaching in an early stage, the believers will later resist organisation and structure. This would mean that growth will be strongly hindered. In the worst case the church will stagnate in a “Corinthian chaos” or even fall apart. Biblical Models of Leadership

  26. Congregational Church Government (1) (The church is lead by the congregation) As the name says, the authority in the congregational model is on the level of the local congregation. The two fundamental concepts of congregationalism are autonomy and democracy. Biblical Models of Leadership

  27. Congregational (2) In church history we discover, that the Baptists and most of the Lutheran groups were mainly the original Congregationalists. But there was always also quite a large number of Pentecostal churches, that were organised this way. Biblical Models of Leadership

  28. Congregational (3) Autonomy means that the local church is run independently and is capable of self-organisation. There is no external authority that can interfere with the church’s policy. Biblical Models of Leadership

  29. Congregational (4) The consequence of this autonomy is that every church appoints its own pastor and sets up its own financial budget. The church can purchase and own real estate. Although it can seek advice from other churches or associations, it is not obliged to follow the advice given. The decisions of the church do not need to be ratified and approved by another authority. Biblical Models of Leadership

  30. Congregational (5) Democracy means that every member of the local church has equal rights in decisions. It is the individual member of the church that has and practices authority. Authority is not the privilege of a chosen group of persons or a specific individual. Neither the oligarchical (presbyterian) nor the monarchical (episcopal) structure is permitted to take over the role of the individual. Biblical Models of Leadership

  31. Congregational (6) The Biblical key thought: The key thought in this system is very close to the already mentioned “general priesthood of all believers”. While the general priesthood places a main emphasis on the “direct access to God”, the emphasis here lies in that “every individual is of utmost importance for the body of Christ” (compare Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 12). The diversity of gifts must lead to the consequence that decisions and authority rest on broad support. Biblical Models of Leadership

  32. Congregational (7) The Biblical key thought: It is assumed in Acts that there is a general and a broad consensus in the church (Acts 4:32, 15:22). The whole church was involved in the selection process of the leadership (Acts 6). A very special feeling of community and an awareness of ownership arises when all members of a church are involved in the decision process Biblical Models of Leadership

  33. Congregational (8) The biblical limits to this model: When regarding the NT as a whole, it is obvious that Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23) and that Paul instructed Titus to do the same (Titus 1:5). Apparently, important impulses came from a level above the local church. Also, the apostles did not merely offer non binding doctrinal advice when writing to the churches but actually commanded authoritatively Biblical Models of Leadership

  34. Congregational (9) The biblical limits to this model: Although the apostles greatly respected the local self-organisation and were very restrained regarding financial issues, this did not mean absolute church autonomy. Churches were by no means autonomous in doctrinal and theological questions but received impulses in these areas from a higher level. Biblical Models of Leadership

  35. Congregational (10) The biblical limits to this model: The letter which was sent to all churches by the Apostle Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-29) is very interesting in this regard. It contains clear conduct guidelines named “necessary things” (Acts 15:28). When Paul and Barnabas brought this letter to Antioch the church gladly received the instructions. The autonomy of the church was obviously subject to restrictions in the area of biblical theological instruction. Biblical Models of Leadership

  36. Congregational (11) The biblical limits to this model: The mentioned appointment of elders and the emphasis throughout the NT on a plurality of elders that were entrusted with leadership duties clearly shows that the principle of democracy was not understood to be absolute. Biblical Models of Leadership

  37. Congregational (12) The biblical limits to this model: The leadership impulses did not come from the assembled congregation but rather from the appointed elders. However, the feedback from the church was intensive, and no appointed elder could do his ministry without the trust of the church (Acts 6:3, 1 Tim 3:10) Biblical Models of Leadership

  38. Congregational (13) The biblical limits to this model: From a biblical point of view, the congregational government of a church, in which the assembled congregation makes democratic decisions concerning all aspects of church government must be regarded as “extreme”. Essential elements of leadership, which play an important role in the NT are thereby ignored. Biblical Models of Leadership

  39. Congregational (14) Democracy in Switzerland: It is not difficult to imagine that extreme congregational views tend to be very popular in Switzerland. Biblical Models of Leadership

  40. Congregational (15) Democracy in Switzerland : For many Swiss, Switzerland is the epitome of democracy and it is not unusual to find believers who would like church structures to mirror Swiss democracy. Biblical Models of Leadership

  41. Congregational (16) Conclusion 1: In light of this model, every more highly structured church government model must ask itself: Is the local church’s autonomy taken into sufficient consideration? Is there a broad organisational and financial autonomy like in the NT churches? Is there sufficient “democratic” feedback? Are important financial decisions made by the church? Are the members of church leadership backed by the confidence of the congregation? Biblical Models of Leadership

  42. Congregational (17) Conclusion 2: Congregationally organized churches must ask themselves if they overemphasise the autonomy of the individual church. From a biblical point of view impulses and correction from a higher level are needed. The NT churches openly accepted correction in key doctrinal issues. Biblical Models of Leadership

  43. Congregational (17) Conclusion 2: Likewise, churches with an exaggerated sense of democracy must ask themselves if this will not hinder the development of the church. Once members are used to having their say in everything, it will be very difficult to change this structure in the future. If this structure is connected to idealised notions of “Swiss democracy”, the stagnation of the church is certain. Biblical Models of Leadership

  44. Presbyterian Church Government (1) (The church is lead by a group of elders) Presbyterianism is founded on the belief that a local church should be governed by a team of elders (gr. Presbyteros). Biblical Models of Leadership

  45. Presbyterian (2) Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to respect those who ”are over you in the Lord and admonish you” (1 Thess 5:12). Similarly, he tells the elders of the church in Ephesus to keep watch over themselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers, to be shepherds of the church of God (Acts 20:28). And the writer of Hebrews clearly tells his readers to obey their leaders and to submit to their authority because they keep watch over them (Heb 13:17). Biblical Models of Leadership

  46. Presbyterian (3) In church history the reformed churches of Calvinistic character developed Presbyterian systems. American Presbyterianism strongly influenced the Pentecostal movement. Biblical Models of Leadership

  47. Presbyterian (4) The Biblical key thought: The Biblical key thought expressed here is already found in the Jewish synagogue. An ordered leadership structure implies the existence of a management body without which a group cannot function. Biblical Models of Leadership

  48. Presbyterian (5) The Biblical key thought: The leaders that are appointed must act for the group (representation). The leaders are responsible towards the whole church, but they have their own God-given authority. Biblical Models of Leadership

  49. Presbyterian (6) The biblical limits to this model: Although the preeminent advantage of this model lies in the fact that it clearly emphasises the biblical principle of representation, there are also significant dangers involved. The sole concentration of authority in the team of elders is not supported by the Bible. Biblical Models of Leadership

  50. Presbyterian (7) The biblical limits to this model: There are many Scripture references that suggest an intensive feedback of authority to the whole local congregation (e.g. Acts 6:3, 13:1, 14:27, 15:4). If the Presbyterian model disconnects itself from the local congregation, it risks an abuse of power and a loss of reality. Biblical Models of Leadership

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