Church Leadership
The Church… to this I am referring to the people of God. Those who have placed thier faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, trusting in Him for thier salvation. To those followers of Christ, it is Christ who is building His church, drawing to Himself those who are lost in sin.
Scripture at various time designates various descriptions of the church to illustrate God’s love for His people:
We are called the Bride of Christ (intimacy and oneness with the Lord)
We are called the Body of Christ (illustrating our functioning together for His purpose)
We are called His children or the family of God (closeness, accessibility, and inheritance)
We are also called His sheep or flock (illustrating our needs, fragileness, and stupidity at times)
God has given many things to His Church, His Son, His Spirit, many gifts and blessings… and He has given to His Church Leaders.
Ephesians 4:11–12 “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 NASB95
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;
As I considered the important concepts for us to understand as a church… I felt a CORE area to understand was God’s design for the church leadership.
I want us to look at:
The Designations of Leadership (ELDER, DEACON, SHEPHERD, PASTOR, OVERSEER)
The Qualifications of Leadership (GOD’S STANDARDS)
The Functions of Leadership (HIS DESIGN & PRIORITIES)
The Designations of Leadership
There are three major designations of the church leaders in scripture… that of Elder, Overseer, and Shepherd. The TERM ELDER is more of a TITLE and the designations of Overseer and Shepherd refer to FUNCTION more so.
In Titus 1:5-9 that elder and overseer are used interchangeably for the same person.
Titus 1:5–9 NASB95
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Elder… “title”
The term pertains to AGE or EXPERIENCE… the root of the word comes from the word meaning BEARD
Young men did not have a full beard
The beard would be indicative of an older man with some life experience (wisdom)
In 1 Timothy 3:6 we read that an elder must not be a “New Convert”
This was a “family” term as well speaking to the head of the household…
Religiously speaking it came to refer to the ones sought out for spiritual insight, direction, and decisions.
Interestingly… when the scriptures speak to this title it is always in the plural form with the exception of when Peter designates himself as an “elder”.
DEACONS are those in the church that are APPOINTED by the elders:
To assist in the ministry work
To allow the elders to function in particular areas of priority
They serve the needs of the church family as assigned by the elders
Deacon = one who serves / ministers
The next two designations indicate more of thier function rather than just title…
Overseer “function”
This was speaking of one who has responsibility to CARE and WATCH OVER a household (Much like Joseph did in Genesis in Potiphar's home.)
The word literally means to “watch over peers”
In watching and caring for the “Household of God” this individual is responsible to the One who is HEAD of the home
Family / Households… span TIME & CULTURE
We are the Family God, as overseers, we are accountable and give account to God!
Overseer has the implications of one who Serves and Leads… there is a “Servant Leadership” (as Christ exampled in Philippians 2)
One who has authority yet serves and cares for those he leads…
1 Peter 5:1-4 speaks to this truth…
1 Peter 5:1–4 NASB95
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
I find it interesting how Peter stresses the overseer’s function of shepherding. Jesus Himself would charge Peter to shepherd His sheep, His flock!
Shepherd “Pastor” “function”
When we look in the New Testament in reference to Church elders we see “SHEPHERD” used not as a noun but a verb… The only time it is a noun is when in reference to our God as Chief Shepherd or The Good Shepherd. When referring to church leaders this designation holds actions and functions referring to the responsibilities of a shepherd:
Feed the sheep
Care for them
Guard and protect
Lead them by word and example
Look for good pasture
Correct them
Equip them and build them up
Prior to identifying the functions of your overseers I would like to consider the qualifications of the man God calls to this position… 1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 Timothy 3:1–7 NASB95
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Qualifications of Overseers
I love verse 1 of this passage… men this should be something to aspire to!
These are not a list of super human qualifications
This list aside from not being a new convert and able to teach… are the standard of qualifications that every believer should aspire to!
Think about this… as you and I follow God, place our identity in Him, take His name and enter into His family… these things should be true of all of us!
This list of qualifications is the standard for followers of Christ...
Above reproach… no accusations against him
He needs to be a one woman man (good marriage)
Temperate or self-controlled
Prudent or live wisely / sensible
Being Hospitable
ABLE TO TEACH… this will come into functions!
Not a heavy drinker… rather controlled by the Spirit
Not pugnacious… demanding violent bully type of person
Rather in contrast he is gentle and seeks peace rather than a quarrel
Free from the LOVE OF MONEY… how dangerous this is. Can’t be bought!!!
Manage his own home well… he is caring for the household of God
Not a new convert… grow, learn, discern… then lead
A good reputation with outsiders, within the community
Aside from teaching the same requirement s are expected of the deacons…
A church with men who meet these qualifications, who step into leadership… have expected functions: Peter expressed many of these
In Acts 20:28-31 Paul gives an exhortation to the elders…
Acts 20:28–31 NASB95
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
Functions of Leaders
God in His word has laid out His design and His priorities for leaders… Just looking at Peter and Paul’s charges to the Elders we see
As an elder, Peter was speaking from experience. However, Peter’s authority came from the fact that he was an apostle, and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who has suffered for Christ.
Peter knows both the suffering and sharing in the glory
Peter’s urgent message to the elders is… “Shepherd (an action /verb) the flock of God!”
Peter exhorted the elders to be examples to serve as models for the people to follow. They were not to drive God’s people, but to lead them by their examples of mature Christian character.
The warning in 1 Peter 5:3 about “lording it over” the saints reminds us of Christ’s lesson about true greatness as well as the other times that He taught His disciples about humility and service.
Jesus Christ the Chief Shepherd exemplified service for us
Shepherds who serve with false motives care only for themselves and devour the flock
Some beat the sheep using God’s Word… not for correction or growth but power and control
There is a TRUE NEED for people to be fed with God’s Word solid meat to grow and be strengthened
Paul in Ephesians would declare that the pastors/shepherds role is to EQUIP the saints for the work of the ministry
There is feeding… But so much more!
Constantly searching for green pastures, water, GUARD poisonous plants,
How important it is for overseers to lead their people into the green pastures of the Word of God so that they might feed themselves and grow.
Some need milk and some need solid food. A shepherd needs to give both… KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING his flock
Caring
Make sure all were in the fold, check for snake bites, inspect for health, he knew their name and their personalities!
It is important for an elder to know his people. Be able to minister to them as a whole and individually. Names show value.
Leading
Sheep are a herd animal. It is what helps them stay safe
Shepherds go in front, lead by example, going through the valleys first
It’s been said “the church needs leaders who serve and servants who lead.”
Guiding
The overseer is not a religious lecturer who weekly passes along biblical information
He is a shepherd who knows his people & seeks to lead them through scripture
Teaching and Prayer are PRIORITIES for overseers
He directs them away from things that would harm the flock & keeps them before the Lord in prayer
He remains vigilant to the surroundings and dangers
Protecting
Paul in Acts would challenge the elders to GUARD THE FLOCK
Dangers… wolves that sneak in waiting to prey on the weak
False doctrine… seasoned to appeal to ones appetite for ease and self desire
Even within the flock, guarding and caring to protect from sickness within
The sheep do not suffer as the shepherd is vigilant… he goes between the threat and the sheep
How Do You Apply this?
I struggled with this one… a message that is informative and defining leadership scripturally. How do you apply this to your day to day life?
Church leaders must be careful how we minister to God’s sheep, because one day we will have to give an account of our ministry.
As Chief Shepherd He holds all AUTHORITY
As Under-Shepherds we have RESPONSIBILITY
As overseers we must understand there is ACCOUNTABILITY
But the sheep will also one day give an account of how they have obeyed their spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17), so both shepherds and sheep have a great responsibility to each other.
Hebrews 13:17 NASB95
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.
You have responsibility:
Recognize a good and dangerous leader
Choose wisely who you follow
Watch out for the smooth talker / wolf in sheep’s clothing
Pray for your leaders
Place ones-self under, instruction, leading, protection, and their care (follow well)
Strive in your Christian walk to be one who before the Lord would be QUALIFIED to be called to lead
In closing I want to ask the Elders here along with some of our deacons to come SERVE you communion this morning
