44 - CHURCH LEADERSHIP

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1

INTRODUCTION

Without leaders, an organization usually lacks direction and initiative to move forward. As a result, while a group may feel they are holding their own, they may be actually sliding backward when the situation is closely evaluated. Since the task of the church is great, a leader is demanded to organize, direct, and help the church accomplish its goal. As we come to better understand pastoral and deacon leadership, we will be better prepared to let our church go forward. Many conservative churches today place unnecessary restraints upon church leaders. It is true no one should be allowed to lead the church indiscriminately without guidelines or controls. Biblical guidelines for leadership give the proper freedom and also give the proper restraints. The church, like any other organization, needs human leaders. Even in the early stages of church history, the church was organized through human instrumentality. Initially, "the twelve" (Acts 1:26) gave leadership to establishing the church. As the church grew, the needs of the ministry demanded the appointment of seven men to serve as deacons

(Acts 6:1-7). By the time the church at Jerusalem hosted the Jerusalem Conference, James seemed to have been considered the chief elder or spokesman of that church (Acts 15:2, Acts 15:13). In other references to church leadership it is difficult to tell if any one of the elders was considered the chief among them. By the time the apostle Paul traveled to start churches in the various cities of Asia Minor and Europe, it was generally recognized that two leadership offices were to be established in the church, bishops (overseers) and deacons (Php 1:1;1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 3:8). Since the growth and strength of a church reflects the stature of its leader, we should study their biblical qualifications, first to understand their role and next to understand the strength and directions of our own church.

ELDERS (PASTORS)

Every church is led by Christ if it is a New Testament church. "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" (Colossians 1:18). When the church no longer obeys the Word of God, the presence of Christ leaves a church and Christ is no longer the ruler of the church. We may call the organization a "church," but it is not, according to the biblical use of the term. The final seat of authority in church government is best stated in terms of viewpoint. The congregations were charged to choose spiritual leaders. After that, the believers were charged to obey those who had the rule over them (Acts 15:2-4; 1 Timothy 5:17). The apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to continue in and strengthen their unity as a church (Php 2:1-2) and pleaded with the Corinthians that they do everything within their power to correct and prevent divisions in their church (1 Corinthians 1:10). Because the Holy Spirit works through believers, he is able to freely lead a church when the members are yielded to his direction. The pastor, who fulfills in today’s church the role of the New Testament elder or bishop (overseer), is responsible before God for the spiritual welfare of the church (Acts 20:28). At the return of Christ, he will judge and reward the pastors (elders) according to their faithfulness in leading the church to accomplish the will of God (1 Peter 5:4). In one sense, everything a church is and does is an extension of the pastor’s personal ministry. So much is this true, that the prophet identifies the similarity between the leader and his followers, "As with the people, so with the priest" (Isaiah 24:2). The office of the pastor is identified by various titles in different denominations. He is called Reverend, Pastor, Preacher, Bishop, Minister, Elder, Doctor, or some other title. It is sometimes awkward for a person of one church to address the pastor of another faith because of uncertainty of how to address him. This problem has been complicated throughout church history where terms have been applied to the office in one culture only to remain after the culture has changed. The Roman Catholic Church uses the title of bishop to apply to a man who supervises many churches in a large area, whereas the New Testament applies it to the leader or leaders of one church. At least seven different terms are used to identify men that filled the office of pastor in New Testament churches. Each of these words contributes toward a fuller understanding of the nature of the pastor’s office.

Elder. The first term (Greek: presbuteros) used especially in the Jerusalem church was "elder" (Acts 11:30). The term "elder" appears over twenty additional times in the New Testament. It was brought over from the Old Testament synagogue of those who were respected for their maturity and wisdom. The Book of Proverbs gives admonition to heed those who can make wise decisions. While chronological age was certainly a consideration in identifying a man as an elder, the real emphasis is on wisdom and spiritual maturity. It is not advisable to place a young convert, even if he is saved late in life, in a position of leadership without his first being given the opportunity to gain spiritual maturity. In listing the qualifications of a pastor, the apostle Paul warned, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6). The term "elder," when-speaking of his function in the church, is always used in the plural (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1), supporting the idea of a plurality of elders in a single local church. In churches today we have senior ministers, youth pastors, ministers of music, and directors of Christian education, all considered pastors: Even in the New Testament where many elders existed in one church, there sometimes appears to be a hierarchy of elders.

There were many elders in the church of Jerusalem, but James was their spokesman. There were many elders at the Ephesian church (Acts 20:17), but Jesus addressed his comments to the angel (messenger) of that church (Revelation 2:1). Presumably this one was recognized by others as the spokesman.

Bishop The term "bishop" (Greek: episkopos) is also used to describe the office of pastor and the man who fills it. The term is translated "overseer" in Acts 20:28 and is used four other times as "bishop" (Php 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25). In one instance the reference is to Christ (1 Peter 2:25). The emphasis of bishop seems to be "one who takes the oversight of a church," or the office of manager, superintendent, or chief executive officer of the church. Again, the term is always in the plural except where the qualifications of a bishop are given (1 Timothy 3:2). It is largely an administrative term used to identify the work of these church leaders. Whereas the term "elder" implied the character of the pastor, the term "bishop" describes the nature of his ministry.

Pastor. Probably the term "pastor" (shepherd) is the most common title used today by conservative Christians to identify their church leader. However, the term "pastor" except for one instance, is used always in the New Testament to refer to Christ. It is used to describe the ministry of shepherding and feeding the flock. It is not used in the Bible to describe a man in office, but only his ministry (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2). As the shepherd of the flock is responsible for the care of the sheep, so the pastor is responsible for the care of his flock (Acts 20:29; 1 Peter 5:3).

First, the elder/shepherd is instructed to "take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock" (Acts 20:28). This makes a pastor responsible to watch over others to meet their needs. Sometimes a church member will become discouraged or backslidden. A pastor is the one who is responsible to see that this person is strengthened so he remains faithful or comes back into fellowship with the Lord.

Three times Jesus reminded Peter of his pastoral shepherding responsibility to feed the flock (John 21:15-17). This refers to his teaching ministry. To better accomplish this task, many pastors give leadership to such programs as Sunday school, youth clubs, or Bible study grouPsa Even when a pastor has delegated his ministry in part to others, he remains responsible before God for the feeding of the flock (Acts 20:28). This is why a pastor should be involved in the selection of the curriculum used in his Sunday school and why teachers should cooperate with him. In a very real sense, the Sunday school teacher is an undershepherd of that part of the flock to which he is assigned.

Pastors should also protect their flocks. The apostle Paul recognized that "grievous wolves" would come from the outside and gain control in the church if the flock was not carefully guarded (Acts 20:29). Sometimes, good men in the church may change and thus become dangerous to the security of the church (Acts 20:30). In both cases, the chief responsibility of protecting the flock falls on the pastors. Many times pastors may be misunderstood when they insist upon certain spiritual standards or certain emphases in special music or guest preachers. Actually, they may be attempting to protect those Christians who do not understand the.total ministry that may be best for the church.

Most conservative churches use the term "pastor" to identify their church leader for cultural reasons. Often, the pastor who is a recent graduate is younger than his deacons, so the title "elder" seems inappropriate. The term "bishop" has come to refer to ecclesiastical hierarchy, thus becoming unsuitable for popular use in referring to pastors of the local church. The terms "elder" and "bishop" are used interchangeably in Titus 1:5-7 and Acts 20:17-28, implying that these are two functions of the same office. A person grows into becoming an elder, but learns how to function as, a bishop.

NAMING THE PASTOR Acts 20:17-31 1 Peter 5:1-4 Elder Acts 20:17 1 Peter 5:1 Bishop Acts 20:28 (overseers) 1 Peter 5:2 (taking oversight) Pastor Acts 20:28 (to feed) 1 Peter 5:2 (feed the flock)

Preacher. The term "preacher" implies a public proclamation of the gospel. Noah was the first to preach (1 Peter 2:5), although Enoch’s prophesying may also have involved preaching (Jude 1:14). Preaching is often defined as "the communication of the Word of God with persuasion through the personality." The pastor is the man God has called to proclaim his message in the church. In preaching, the pastor seeks to accomplish those things. "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Teacher. The teaching ministry is referred to some ninety-seven times in the New Testament. The pastor was given the dual gift of "shepherding/teaching." In referring to the gifts of ministry, Paul said: "And he gave some,. . . pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The use of the conjunction between these two terms and not the rest suggests that pastors also had the gift of teaching. This gift was exercised in the church from its beginning (Acts 2:42). Note, Jesus had left his disciples with a "teaching commission" (Matthew 28:19-20). Their obedient response is seen in the biblical record. "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42).

Servant. The term doulos, usually translated "servant" in our Bibles, might better be translated "slave." Usually the term is used to refer to deacons, but it is also used in connection with pastors (1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 5:3). Pastors are to be servants of the congregation. A pastor must keep sensitive to the poor, downtrodden, and underprivileged in the flock if he is to remain effective. As a slave of God he is the servant of the church because the assembly is indwelt by Christ and is his body. Jesus used the slave-master relationship to illustrate our duty to him. "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10).

Steward. A pastor is also to be a steward, who was a slave with the responsibility of overseeing other slaves in the master’s house or field. A steward is one who manages what belongs to someone else. The pastor is a steward of the gospel (1 Peter 4:10) and the church (Titus 1:7). His chief responsibility was identified by the apostle Paul: "Moreover, it ’is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).

DEACONS The second officer of the church is the deacon. The word "deacon" comes from one of the Greek words for servant or minister. This slave was also described as one who pulled the oars on a lower deck of the ship to keep the ship moving. Most people think that deacons were implied with the appointment of the first committee of men to care for an aspect of the church to free the apostles for the more important responsibility of prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:14). The deacons are a serving office. There is no "job description" for a servant; he does what he is commanded or what is necessary. Therefore, there is no itemized list of duties that deacons are to perform in the church. The suggestion is that deacons are to serve in whatever way best helps the church to minister. However, the nature of their qualifications gives insight into their duties.

Qualifications. The office of deacon is not without its standards. Two passages in particular identify more than a dozen standards for deacons (Acts 6:3-8; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). When a church selects its deacons, it should give careful consideration to each man’s character. Too often churches have appointed men to this office simply because they were successful businessmen in the community. Actually, the qualifications for deacon are as high as those for bishop. After Paul lists the standards of a pastor, he uses the phrase "likewise the deacons" (1 Timothy 3:3). The term "likewise" implies that the deacon should be as qualified as the pastor. The only differences between elders and deacons are the spiritual gifts of the pastor and his calling from God to his office.

QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-8)

1. Blameless 1 Timothy 3:10 2. Husband of one wife of good character 1 Timothy 3:11-16. Grave 1 Timothy 3:8 4. Not double-tongued 1 Timothy 3:8

S. Not given to much wine 1 Timothy 3:8 6. Not greedy for money 1 Timothy 3:8 7. Pure conscience 1 Timothy 3:9 8. Proven ability 1 Timothy 3:10 9. Good ruler in the house 1 Timothy 3:12 10. Good reputation (honest report) Acts 6:3 11. Filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 6:3 12. Full of wisdom Acts 6:3 13. Full of faith Acts 6:8 14. Full of power Acts 6:8

Function. While there is no specific biblical listing of the duties of deacons, there are some suggestions in the New Testament of the things deacons can do. The first deacons engaged in routine labors in the church. By assuming responsibility for food distribution, they left the apostles free to engage: in the ministry of prayer and preaching (Acts 6:4). Although the word "deacon" does not occur in Acts 6:1-15, these seven men performed jobs that were later done by deacons.

Another area of ministry for deacons includes promoting harmony between various groups in the church. When the widows were arguing (Acts 6:1), the deacons did the job that solved the problem of contention in the church.

Wisdom is listed as one of the qualifications of deacons (Acts 6:3), indicating one of their functions. Pastors should seek the counsel and cooperation of others in guiding the church in its programs of worship, education, and evangelism. The deacons may be an advisory committee to assist the pastor in this ministry. Sometimes in the absence of pastors, the deacons may have to serve as the spiritual leadership of the church. There are several examples of deacons (ministers) having responsibility for spiritual ministry (Colossians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:2).

CONCLUSION

God is a God of order, requiring us to serve him in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40). He has appointed offices in his church to assist -the orderly function of the church. When these chosen and appointed ones-pastors, teachers, elders, bishops, deacons, ministers, as they are described in the New Testament-work together to accomplish God’s will in leading the church, God is able to bless his church as he desires. It is important that every Christian support and follow his church leaders (Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17).

DAILY READINGS Monday: 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Tuesday: Titus 1:1-16 Wednesday: Acts 6:1-8 Thursday: John 21:1-17 Friday: Acts 20:17-38 Saturday: 1 Peter 5:1-11 Sunday: Hebrews 13:7-17