Who leads
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Introduction
Introduction
Today we come to the second sermon in our mini-series on the questions every church should ask
Last week we asked why does the church even need to grow
Last week we asked why does the church even need to grow
This week we ask who leads the church
Sadly for many churches within our circles leadership looks like this.
The church has:
1. members
2. deacons,
3. pastors
but each of them think it is their job to lead.
In this context churches do not move forward because:
1. no one leads,
2. no one follows.
When no one leads, and no one follows the church remains stagnant and does not accomplish the mission that God has called it to accomplish
Remember what we discussed last week, God has called us to make a difference and if no one leads and no one follows we cannot make a difference in the community God has pleased us in.
However, the unfortunate truth is for far too many churches leadership has become about power than about ministering to people.
The response becomes
“We don’t want the pastor to become too powerful”
“we don’t want the deacons to become too powerful”
“we don’t want the people to become to powerful”
My friends the church is not about power it is about ministry!
many churches ignore the question “How can we be what God has called is to be and make a difference”
instead they live in a state on constant suspicion of others and assume they just want power.
This should not overly surprise us though because what is the church made up of?
THis should not overly suprize us though because what is the church made up of?
The Church is made up of sinners.
The pastor is a sinner the deacons are sinners and the members are sinners.
and what appends is we say by our actions That we love ourselves more than we love God and more than we love each other.
What our response needs to be is that we are willing to say no to ourselves because God has called us to put others first.
What our response needs to be is that we are willing to say no to ourselves because God has called us to put others first.
Because of selfishness within the Church three things happen
Because of selfishness within the Church three things happen
Pastors become CEO dictators
Pastors become CEO dictators
Deacons become ruling boards
Church members think they have to be a part of absolutely every decision and when it does not go their way they leave and cause a problem in a different church instead of working out differences.
So today we are going to do something a bit different, we are not going to be in one passage of scripture but several and we are going to look at what the role is in the church for
So today we are going to do something a bit different, we are not going to be in one passage of scripture but several and we are going to look at what the role is in the church for
The pastors
The deacons
The members
As we ask this question it is amazing how quickly people get upset when a particular decision does not go the way they want it to. and then we wonder why the church does not move forward.
Internal conflict within a church is something the devil loves. let us resolve to push against it here!
So the question stands what is the Biblical model to Structure the church.
There are many different structures within many different
denominations, but today we are going to look at what the Bible says.
No history or denomination trumps the word of God how Christ structured the church should be how we structure the church
I. Jesus is the boss of the Church
I. Jesus is the boss of the Church
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Christ has first place in absolutely everything, as the text says
IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HACE THE PREEMINENCE
It does not say some things but in all things Christ is always first.
The problem is many in churches today treat the church as though they are theirs
They say this is my church and as long as I am here that shall never happen...
They say this is my church and as long as I am here that shall never happen...
The problem is what God says we ought to do is often the last question asked
The problem is we say this is what we want, and my preference is first
instead we should be asking what we can accomplish for God
So the question is this
Do you have a preference this morning that is more important to you than the spreading of the gospel?
let me be clear doctrine is not a preference! but many of us myself included have preferences we ought to put those aside for the sake of the gospel. I do not know what your preferences may be, but I ask that you hold nothing back for the sake of the gospel of Christ.
So we understand that Christ is first in the church, but we want to ask today what is the responsibility of the
So we understand that Christ is first in the church, but we want to ask today what is the responsibility of the
Pastor
Deacons
Members
II. Pastors are called to lead churches as Christ’s under-shepard
II. Pastors are called to lead churches as Christ’s under-shepard
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The text says that a pastor is an overseer to feed the church of God.
The literal term for overseer is elder
the literal term for feed here is Shepard
So the text is saying elders who are called to Shepard the church of God
As Baptists we often get concerned when we hear the word elder, yet the term is a Biblical one. that also means pastor
three terms make up the same office
elder
Shepard
Bishop
Many churches get this wrong where they make elders and different offices but they are the same office!
lets read the verse again
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
notice Christ has made pastors overseers to do what?
TO feed the Church of God or to Shepard the Church of God.
This is the main job of a pastor to spiritually feed his flock!
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
notice the statement here—the elders who rule well
Pastors are called to administrate the church.
but it continues---especially those who labor in the preaching and teaching.
Again this is key the main job of a pastor is the preaching and teaching ministery of the church.
There are some pastors who take this verse too far. They view themselves as the king of the church
That is simply not what is being said,
the pastor is responsible before God for how he runs the church but he is not the king or dictator
There are two extreemes that a pastor is not to do
A pastor is not to lead in a way that it is my way or the highway
A pastor is not to lead in a way that he does not want to make and desisions
Sometimes pastors have to make difficult decisions this is what we are called to do. but a pastor is responsible to make decisions that line up with the word of God.
1 Peter 5:1-
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
Notice the text here it says the Shepard the flock.
For those of you grammar buffs what is the subject here?
it is an understood you
you, the elders are to Shepard the flock
this is not an option
it does not say
Shepard when you feel like it
Shepard when it is not contriversial
it says you (the pastor) are to Shepard
Notice peter continues
exercising oversight not under compulsion (it’s voluntary)
but willingly as God would have you not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
The pastor is to Shepard, but He is to do it lovingly
the leadership style is to feed and lead not to act as a king who says and people do because he said so
Lets look at verse three again
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
If you are going into ministry to be a pastor and your goal is to be in charge of everything Go be CEO because you will destroy Christ’s church!
The Job of The pastor is to lead, but to do so as a servant and to love those you lead.
Have you ever been to a church that has a parking spot right up front that says “Pastors parking only”
That drives me up a wall because that does not show the servanthood it should, this is why I park on the far edge of the lot because I am capable of walking a bit further.
The job of the pastor is to lead but to lead by example by putting the needs of the flock before their own
So, what is the point of Pastoral ministry?
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The goal of the pastor is to lead, but also to equip the saints for the work of the ministry
my job is to shepard and equip you to go out and do the work of the ministery it is not my job to do everything but rasther to equip you!
my job is to Shepard and equip you to go out and do the work of the ministry it is not my job to do everything but rather to equip you!
As we finish this section lets look at the qualifications really quickly
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Can anyone fully meet these requirements, no but Christ can the standard for a pastor and any christian for that matter is Christ
A pastor should strive to be like Christ!
So, the job of the pastor is to lead, the pastor’s job is not to make sure the church is over a particular amount of people, is growing by leaps and bounds, but that the church is growing spiritually
So, the job of the pastor is to lead, the pastor’s job is not to make sure the church is over a particular amount of people, is growing by leaps and bounds, but that the church is growing spiritually
Spiritual growth within will translate to numerical growth because you will have people making new and better disciples
III. Deacons are called to serve
III. Deacons are called to serve
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The issue here is that the apposes and elders are spending all their time meeting needs instead of in the word of God. and they were neglecting the Hellenistic Jews
The church was getting so big the pastors could not do everything, so they decided to enlist people of good reputation who could assist in the waiting of tables.
The purpose of the first deacons was to free pastors to do what they were called to do
the term deacon literally means servant
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Notice how Paul addresses the church here
TO all the Saints (all christians)
To the bishop’s (pastors)
to the deacons
The pastors and deacons, the deacons are the team mates of the pastor they are not his boss.
The deacons are to serve the needs of the church so the pastors can do what God has called them to do.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Just like the pastors God has a high standard for deacons. This is because good deacons can be a tremendous blessing to the pastor and to the church.
The purpose of the deacons are to aid the pastor in His care for the Church
so
Pastors lead
Deacons serve
What do members do?
IV. Members are called to follow
IV. Members are called to follow
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
What are pastors equipping the saints to do?
What are pastors equipping the saints to do?
remember from last week the job of the church is not just to exist but to make new and better disciples
the job of each believer is to GO
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Pastors have the job to lead the church in three areas
Guard teaching so that good solid doctorine is pushed
Just because it says it is Christian does not mean it is
Help members grow
We all start as baby christians and we should desire to get off the milk go to bread then go to meat.
Help members love one another
Members do however have a role
Throughout the new testament members have a vital role in how the Church is run.
Throughout the new testament members have a vital role in how the Church is run.
They approved leaders
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
If the church was elder ruled, then they would have said these are the men that are going to lead you deal with it
There is a difference between elder ruled and elder led
2. They removed members
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 cor 5:
The Church in Corinth wanted to show how tolerant they were.
How sad is it that this idea still exists today many “churches” do not confront sin but rather want to show their tolerance?
The church needs to confront sin, however it needs to be done in love.
It this passage Paul is asking what is wrong with them that they are boasting in sin, notice verse 5
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
the goal of church discipline should be restoration, we will address this in a few weeks, but if they do not repent, they should be removed from the church, so they do not tarnish the whole body.
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
3. They ratified leadership decisions
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
notice what the text says, it seemed good to the apostles, and the elders, and the whole church.
The New testament principal in that congregation has a say in the way the church operates but some take congregational government, which is biblical a bit too far
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
God calls believers to follow church leaders.
Church leaders often see or know the big picture when the members perspective is limited.
Church leaders often see or know the big picture when the members perspective is limited.
Church leaders will give an account for how they led the church
Church members will give an account for how they responded to the leadership
So what happened in the early church when they did this right
So what happened in the early church when they did this right
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Because of Godly leadership the word of God spread.
In order to be the church God wants us to be
1. PASTORS LEAD
2. DEACONS SERVE
3. MEMBERS FOLLOW
The question I as the pastor have to ask is: am I being the leader I am supposed to be
The question I as the pastor have to ask is: am I being the leader I am supposed to be
If you are a deacon the question you have to ask is Am I serving the Church in the way God has called me to
If you are a member you have to ask am I following in the way that I ought to
is part of what holds us back our attitude toward leadership.
I don’t know the answer to that because I have not been here long enough, but I want you to ask yourself that question what is my attitude toward the pastor what is my attitude toward the deacons.
Are you being what God has called you to be
What if we laid aside our personal agendas and we committed ourselves to being what God has called us to be, so we can accomplish what God has called us to accomplish
What if we said its not about me
its not about my dress
its not about my music
its not about weather I like him or her
its not about my Bible translation
its about what God wants to accomplish
I had someone tell me once, not here, I did not like the worship music this morning, well, guess what it is not about what you like because the music is for him not for you!
Think of what could happen if we got down put our preferences aside and said:
1. pastors are going to lead
2. deacons are going to serve
3. members are going to follow.
The word of God would spared like wildfire just as it did in the early church
Again, like you have not heard this enough our job is to make new and better disciples in Silva, Greenville and the surrounding communities.
Application
Avoid internal conflict
2. Jesues Is the Boss of The Church
3. Do you have a prefference this morning that is more importent than the spreading of the gospel?
4. Lets get rid of the idea that Church is about me and get down and reach our mission field
5.
