Lighthouse Foundations (3)

Session 3

OUR STRUCTURE

1 Corinthians 14:40 CSB

40 But everything is to be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:33 CSB

33 since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

The structure of the church should not be determined by culture, business practices, or even denominational traditions.

THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH DETERMINES ITS STRUCTURE

1. THE CHURCH IS A FELLOWSHIP

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship…” (Acts 2:42)

A top priority in a fellowship is harmony and unity .

“Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:19)

ANY attitude that causes disunity is sin. IMPLICATION: A good structure promotes unity and downplays differences.

”I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you…” (I Corinthians 11:17-18)

Voting tends to divide people , so at Lighthouse Baptist we only vote on:

□ Annual budget □ Purchase of land or buildings □ Changes in the church guidelines

2. THE CHURCH IS A FAMILY

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit” (I Peter 3:8) See also Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 2:10-12; 1 Peter 4:17. So, we operate on the basis of relationships not rules .

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters…” (I Timothy 5:1-2)

3. THE CHURCH IS A BODY

See 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:23; 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19

We are a Body—not a business!

We are an organism—not an organization!

Therefore, we function on the basis of:

spiritual gifts not elected offices

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…” (Romans 12:4-6)

In an organization, maintenance becomes the focus.

But in an organism, ministry is the focus.

At Lighthouse Baptist, we have a simple structure so we can:

Maximize Ministry and Minimize Maintenance.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

□ The people are the ministers. □ The Pastor and staff are the administers.

There are many different ministries in our church begun and operated by members.

4. THE CHURCH IS A FLOCK

Jesus’ favorite description of the Church

John 10:1-30; Matthew 26:31; 25:33

Therefore, it is cared for and led by shepherds.

“He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." (John 21:16)

Four different terms are used in the New Testament to refer to the same church leaders:

POIMEN: shepherd / pastor

PRESBUTEROS: elder (mature one)

EPISCOPOS: overseer / bishop

DIDASKOLOS: teacher

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you… shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight…” (I Peter 5:1-2)

OUR AFFILIATION

□ Rehoboth Baptist Association Local Southern Baptist Churches in Middle Georgia - 54 in number.

□ Georgia Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Churches in Georgia who are associated together - 3400+ in number.

□ Southern Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Churches - 43,000 in number.

WHAT IS THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION?

□ It is the largest association of Christian churches in Georgia and in America. □ It is the most diverse association of churches. □ It is one of the fastest growing groups.

WHY NOT JUST BE AN INDEPENDENT CHURCH?

We are an independent church! Every SBC church is completely independent. There is no denominational control or hierarchy, as there is in most other denominations. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs. For example:

□ Every SBC church chooses its own pastor. □ Every SBC church owns its own buildings and assets. □ Every SBC church determines its own programs.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF AFFILIATING WITH THE SBC?

• It allows us to identify with other Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Bible. Unlike other groups, the SBC has no man-made ‘creed”. The Bible is our only authority.

• It allows our church to participate in the largest missionary organization in the world. We help support over 10,340 missionaries with a strategy to reach people in all countries around the world.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MEMBER

At Lighthouse Baptist, we ask you to commit to church membership for four reasons:

1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church. “…Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

2. A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our society. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything…a job…a marriage…our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of church “shoppers and hoppers”. Membership swims against the current of America’s “consumer religion”. It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.

3. A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on. Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and recommends voter registration. Membership defines our family.

4. A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you’re not committed to any specific church family.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MEMBER OF LBC?

At Lighthouse Baptist, we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. Therefore, we expect our members to follow the commands of Christ.

Biblical Expectations

1. I will protect the unity of my church by…

□ Acting in love toward other members. □ Refusing to gossip. □ Following the leaders.

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24)

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5)

“Since you have in obedience …a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart…” (I Peter 1:22)

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment…” (Ephesians 4:29)

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

2. I will share the responsibility of my church by…

□ Praying for its growth. □ Inviting the “unchurched” to attend. □ Warmly welcoming those who visit.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;” (I Thessalonians 1:2)

"Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)

3. I will serve the ministry of my church by…

□ Discovering my gifts and talents.

□ Being equipped to serve.

□ Developing a servant’s heart.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:10)

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers…to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who…taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2: 4-7)

4. I will support the testimony of my church by…

□ Attending faithfully.

□ Living a godly life.

□ Giving regularly.

“not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;” (Hebrews 10:25)

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27)

”On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper…” (I Corinthians 16:2)

"Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30)

OUR STAFF STRUCTURE

As the church has grown, so has the staff. Currently we have a total of 8.

(Tim Sizemore, Tonya Sizemore, Conner Evans, Kayla McGehee, Kyle Woodfin , Kristin Black, Leah Skinner and Melissa Kelly.)

Our ministerial staff totals 4.

(Tim Sizemore, Matthew White, Conner Evans, Kyle Woodfin)

Our staff, like our church, is led by our Pastor – God’s appointed leader for this congregation. He has surrounded himself with staff personnel to serve hand-in-hand as we pursue God’s assignment for a New Testament church…to fulfill the Great Commission!

The Staff meets once a week for planning, coordinating, and establishing the church calendar.