What is the Church? Leadership
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Church Politics—road construction
Pastor-led Congregationalism
Jesus is Lord of the Church. He is the husband, we are the bride.
Jesus is Lord of the Church. He is the husband, we are the bride.
1 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
1 Peter
Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride (2 Cor, 11:2; ; ).
Jesus is the head of the body (; ).
Jesus is the Shepherd of his sheep (; )
Jesus is the Cornerstone of the building (; )
All leadership within the church is under the one and absolute authority of Christ.
Peter
1. The church is led by shepherds who preach God's Word and equip the saints for ministry.
1. The church is led by shepherds who preach God's Word and equip the saints for ministry.
This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
3 Greek terms, 6 English terms, one office.
Illus: Exercise class
Qualifications: and
Qualifications: and
Qualifications: and
1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.
Purpose: and
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of seson; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of seson; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of seson; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of seson; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Hebrews
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Pastors lead but they do so biblically within the bounds recognized by the congregation.
Pastors and committees act in what is finally an advisory capacity to the whole congregation.
Views of the role of pastors (J Leeman)
Episcopalian: Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics--Bishop has authority over several churches.
Baptist we have a DOM over churches but he has no authority over what happens within them.
Presbyterian: authority is given to a gathering of elders who rule over a group of churches.
This would be like the pastors of a Baptist congregation who meet with the DOM having authority over each congregation.
Elder-rule: Final authority belongs to the elders of an independent church.
Views of the role of pastors (J Leeman)
Episcopalian: Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics--Bishop has authority over several churches.
Baptist we have a DOM over churches but he has no authority over what happens within them.
Presbyterian: authority is given to a gathering of elders who rule over a group of churches.
This would be like the pastors of a Baptist congregation who meet with the DOM having authority over each congregation.
Elder-rule: Final authority belongs to the elders of an independent church.
Pastor-led congregationalist: argues that the Bible gives final authority to the gathered congregation as led by pastors.
Ruling verses Teaching Pastors
1 Timothy 5:17 Presbyterians understand this to be establishing two classes of elders. Baptist understand that all elders must be able to teach 1 Timothy 3 and that even within a group of pastors there will still be a leader who devotes more of hi time to preaching and teaching than the others.
My Note: Why having more than one pastor that can preach is beneficial I do not think it is necessary for every church.
Ruling verses Teaching Pastors
Presbyterians understand this to be establishing two classes of elders. Baptist understand that all elders must be able to teach and that even within a group of pastors there will still be a leader who devotes more of hi time to preaching and teaching than the others.
My Note: Why having more than one pastor that can preach is beneficial I do not think it is necessary for every church.
2. The church is served by deacons who assist in the ministry and physical needs of the church.
2. The church is served by deacons who assist in the ministry and physical needs of the church.
Transliteration of the word for servant. diakonos.
Qualifications
Purpose: Servants in the every-day operation and needs of the church. Ministry leaders. Financial leaders. Deacons lead in organizing and assisting “services” to the church body so that the many practical needs have might be cared for.
3. The church congregation is responsible for electing it's leaders, determining it's members, and the overall ministry of the church.
3. The church congregation is responsible for electing it's leaders, determining it's members, and the overall ministry of the church.
; ;
The church has authority to announce the gospel what and who--this person is confessing the gospel. This person is not confessing the gospel. Etc.
Illus: Very similar to a judge. A judge does not make the law or make a person guilty or not. He interprets the law, the person, and then pronounces judgment.
So it is with the church--we do not make the gospel nor can we save anyone. Rather we listen to what a person confesses, we consider if their lives match the confession, and then we render judgment.
"One cannot have responsibility unless one has the authority to for fulfill that responsibility."
Members have authority because they have the keys of the kingdom.
The keys are what make the new covenant in Christ's kingdom "visible." Israel was a public, visible nation--it was clear who was in and who was out. The church is invisible unless is employs the keys of the kingdom for binding and loosing.
where 2 or 3 are gathered. makes it clear that a testimony cannot be received without at least 2 witnesses. This is why Jesus sends out the disciples in twos.
When 2-3 gather and confess the same thing it binds them together like a covenant and then Jesus seals the covenant by affirming that he is "there among them."
How then does a church exercise it's authority--through baptism and the Lord's supper.
and 18 demonstrate that the church has authorization from heaven and shows them how to get to work.
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Congregation has authority to ensure the gospel is being preached.
Congregation has authority to ensure the gospel is being preached.
the church has the final say and responsibility.
Paul refers to what a majority of them had done in disciplining an erring member.
Paul rebukes not just the false teachers but those who wanted them to tickle their ears.
Pastor-led --> gives you job training
Congregationalist --> Gives you a job
Pastoral leadership+congregational rule= Discipleship.
A church that gives all authority to its leaders hurts its own culture of discipling. Forsaking their own authority, the members become less responsible. They inch toward passivity and complacency and eventually worldliness. They leave the church less protected.
Pastors are supposed to equip the saints.
Pastors train church members to use their authority with maturity.
A. Jesus is King and Lord over the church.
B. The pastors lead and
C. The congregation has final say on certain critical matters. (Notice over congregationalism is where the church has a say in everything and does not allow their leaders to lead.
This dynamic between the one, the few, and the many that cultivates a culture of discipleship.
When Jesus talks about church polity in it is not just a discussion about decision making. It is all about discipleship.
Our Member Meetings should be connected to what we do in our everyday lives. We build relationships and make decisions, build relationships and make decisions....on and on and on.
Relationship building leads to good decision making because the decisions will be made with personal knowledge. And the responsibility to make decisions produces the incentive to build relationships, again so that those decisions are made with knowledge and integrity.
MN: "I don't want to get involved in church politics." Well when they are sinful absolutely. But every church member is responsible for the ministry and direction of the church. I am afraid when I hear that statement what I am really hearing is "I don't want to be responsible or build relationships." BOTH are wrong.
Church government grows out of the seed of the gospel.
The relationship between the gospel and our gospel life together is not accidental. Rather, the gospel makes certain demands on the saints and our togetherness. The gospel produces a gospel order (pastors, deacons, congregations) and the gospel order in turn displays and and protects the gospel.
If you believe the gospel, you will bind your life to other Christians.
(How can I take up my cross and follow Jesus if I can't take up me keys and go to church--boom).
When we meet weekly it is for heart formation and job training. That is why my job as pastor is so important to rightly preach God's Word--last week we saw how important God's word is to the church/believers. We are saved, sustained, and purified by God's word.
That's why our motto is knowing Jesus and making him known. We want to know the gospel, live by the gospel, and protect the gospel, and advance the gospel.
Pastors equip saints to build the church--who builds the church? Members do.
Church leadership is not something that is Sunday only--we do not leave at the door step of the church when we leave. Instead it is a day by day activity.
Everyday you are a member of the church and are to be seeking the unity and advancement of the church.
Church Members Responsibilities
1. Attend Church Regularly
2. Help Preserve the Gospel
3. Help Affirm Gospel Citizens
4. Attend Members Meetings
5. Disciple other Church Members
6. Share the Gospel with Outsiders
7. Follow your Leaders