FAQ |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Church Governance
I searched the forum for a related thread but wasn't able to find a thread specifically on the topic.
I've been thinking about the topic of church organization and governance according to scripture. My purpose in posting this thread is not to be controversial or attack any one for their opinions, but I am interested in input based on scripture. I outlined my specific questions below but there are probably aspects of the topic that I have overlooked so I welcome additional information that goes beyond my question. So, according to Acts and the pauline epistles how should churches be structured? 1) What is the purpose of a local church? 2) What are the offices and gifts? Which are still in effect today? 3) How should they be used/performed? 4) What is church discipline and how should it be used? 5) Is official membership scriptural? 6) Should unbelievers be allowed to attend services? 7) How does the general apostasy in our day bear upon Paul's admonition (which was admittedly addressed to Hebrew Christians): Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Thanks for input anyone may have based on the scriptures! |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Jen,
use the search function and you can find threads on the gifts. as for other things I am not sure. |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks, Chette. I'll do that. I didn't think of looking up "gifts". I was also trying to get a topic going that I'm interested in at the moment, but I'll look up the "gifts".
Jen |
#4
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
Re: "Church Governance"
Quote:
Aloha Jennifer, The following is a very brief study (from the Scriptures) covering most of your questions: THE CHURCH OF GOD Acts 20:28 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. A Scriptural inquiry into the nature of the church of God – seeking the answers to the following questions: 1. WHAT IS THE CHURCH OF GOD? 2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH? 3. HOW IS THE CHURCH TO FUNCTION OR OPERATE? The Holy Scriptures (God’s words) are to be our sole authority and source of information: 2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Matthew 4:4. . . . . . It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 1. WHAT IS THE CHURCH OF GOD? THE CHURCH BELONGS TO: Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
The Church of God is a “Living Organism”- NOT a “Building”; a “Business”; an “Organization”; a “Charity” or a “Social Club”! #2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH? {The called-out assembly of the saints} GENERAL MINISTRY TO THE WORLD Quote:
GENERAL MINISTRY TO THE WORLD & TO THE SAINTS Quote:
Quote:
MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS {Spiritual & Carnal} Quote:
#3. HOW IS THE CHURCH TO FUNCTION? THE SCRIPTURAL OFFICE OF *BISHOP {ELDERS-PASTORS} 1 Timothy 3:1 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. {*The word bishop (4); bishops (1) and bishoprick (1) is found 6 times in the New Testament as opposed to the word pastors which is found only once (plural – pastors - Ephesians 4:11) in the entire New Testament.} [The usage of the word “bishop” as indicating a man and an office elevated above ordinary elders-pastors with extra-scriptural authority over them is completely foreign to the scriptures and is without any support in the early New Testament churches. Since the use of the word bishop has been misconstrued, misused, and abused by the Roman Catholic Church and many mainline Protestant Churches – it is hardly ever used anymore amongst genuine Bible believers in describing the legitimate scriptural office of an elder-pastor in a true Bible-believing church today. In order to avoid the abuse and misuse of the word “bishop” in the many churches in the past and the continuing misapplication of the word by many churches [and cults] still today, we will use the term elder-pastor to describe the office and the work of a bishop to avoid any confusion with the all too common misuse of the word.] SCRIPTURAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF: {an elder-pastor} PERSONAL (Inward) 1. PRAYER [Addressed - to God] 2. STUDY [Scriptures – from God] CONGREGATIONAL (Outward – “the ministry of the word of God”) 3. PREACHING [The Word of God] {PURPOSE: Feeding & Edification–Doctrine & Conduct} 4. TEACHING [Convincing, Exhorting - Sound Doctrine & the Whole Council of God] {PURPOSE: Feeding & Edification – Doctrine & Conduct} 5. WARNING [Against: Leaven (False Doctrine), Philosophy, Vain Deceit, the Traditions of Men, Science-Falsely-so-called, and the Rudiments of the World, etc.] {PURPOSE: Edification– Doctrine & Conduct} CORRECTION – SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY & LIMITS OF: {an elder-pastor} 6. ADMONISHING [Advise, Caution, or Notify of a Fault] {PURPOSE - Correction} 7. REPROVING [To Refute, Disprove, or Convince of a Fault or to Make It Manifest] {PURPOSE - Correction} 8. REBUKING [To reprehend for faults; to chide, chasten, check, restrain or silence] {PURPOSE - Correction} Headings 6-8 above describe the absolute LIMITS OF PASTORAL AUTHORITY (“Correction”). All matters of Discipline within a church are to be administered by the whole body (the congregation) – NOT an individual elder-pastor, or a board of deacons, or any other extra-scriptural council or committee. NOTE: All matters of Punishment are to be administered by Almighty God! In the early church there was no clergy–laity set up as in almost all modern day churches. There was no one individual “pastor” over the church, or in the larger churches – a “senior pastor”; “assistant pastors”; “youth pastor”; “Choir Director”; or so-called “Christian Counselors” - dispensing pagan philosophy within the church, or today’s’ modern equivalent - Humanism, Psychiatry, & Psychology. The leaders in the early church were called elders and were always plural in number and they shared whatever power and authority they had – equally. No division existed between the congregation and elders-pastors. [They (elders-pastors and the congregation) all were brethren – with no distinctions!] An elder’s (pastor’s) authority over the brethren was, and still is, very limited – spiritual only! An elder (pastor) is not to exercise dominion over the brethren or over their faith! THE SCRIPTURAL OFFICE OF DEACONS Since there is so little said about the office of Deacon in the Scriptures - the Scriptural office of a deacon is the least understood of the only two scripturally recognized offices in the church [bishop/elder/pastor] & [deacon]. However, there is enough information in the Holy Scriptures to indicate who is eligible for the office; what the office is; and how it should function. 1 Timothy 3:8 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. Acts 6:1 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. According to the Holy Scriptures the office of Deacon is to be filled by MEN ONLY, and the physical and spiritual “requirements” are on the par with the “requirements” for the office of a bishop/elder/pastor. According to the Bible, the primary difference between a deacon and a bishop/elder/pastor is that a deacon has no authority over the brethren. A deacon’s primary duty is to “serve” the church in a physical capacity. But, just as a bishop/elder/pastor is “called” of the Lord to “serve” God and “minister” to the church; a deacon also is “called” of the Lord to “serve” God and to “minister” to the church - not the pastor! – And is not “limited” to just “serving tables” as the scriptural record of Stephen and Philip demonstrates: {Stephan: Acts 6:8-15 & Acts 7:1-60. Philip Acts 8:5-40} The Scriptures clearly indicate that a deacon has no authority, whatsoever, over the church; and is not to be in “competition” with a bishop/elder/pastor. On the other hand a deacon is not “limited” to just the “dirty” physical jobs only. Obviously in most so-called Evangelical” and “Fundamental” churches in the Western world today, the office of “deacon” barely resembles the scriptural “pattern demonstrated in the Bible. NOTES ON THE CHURCH (The Body of Christ) The early New Testament church (referred to by some as the “primitive” church) was an “ORGANISM” (a “BODY”) – Spiritual in Nature. Paul referred to it as a “great mystery”. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:32. [Context -Ephesians 5:23-32] A New Testament church is meant to FUNCTION as a BODY – NOT A BUSINESS – loving one another and having the same love for one another; caring for each other and having the same care for each other; having one mind; (having Christ’s mind). The New Testament church is a BODY with THE LORD JESUS CHRIST as its only HEAD. Anyone claiming to be that head (pastors-elders-bishops-etc.) are PRETENDERS and USURPERS and THIEVES and ROBBERS! When a church (any church) becomes an “ORGANIZATION” (worldly in nature & form) It will, at some point, cease to function as an “ORGANISM” and inevitably start down the irreversible road to apostasy. Any church can emulate the “FORM” (copy certain practices of the early New Testament church) without actually performing the Scriptural PURPOSE and FUNCTION that God intended for his BODY. After studying the following church histories: Schaff’s, LaTourette’s, Eardmann’s, Cunningham’s, Ruckman’s, and various others; some historical facts become evident:
There is a “pattern” that all Christian churches have gone through (and are still going through today) 1st. Doctrinal – 2nd. a Little Leaven – 3rd. a Turning Away - 4th. Apostasy – 5th. Reprobate. No amount of rules, regulations, restrictions, edicts, ordinances, or laws have been able to prevent Apostasy. And no amount of compromise can bring a church back from it. Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 1Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. 22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. 1Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. {Anathema Maranatha = “Accursed until the Lord returns”.} |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Thank you, brother George! Please tell me this was already written or I will feel guilty for keeping you busy all day. May God bless you, sir. My husband and I will try out a church next month when I get Sundays off from work so the topic has been on my mind, not having been churchgoers previously.
In Christ, Jennifer |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Christians shouldn't adulate pastors and other christian leaders and christian leaders should not engender it:
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (The Greek word Nicolaitans means "lay conquerors" or "conquerors of the lay people".) Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. I have noticed the word "shepherd" is not used in the pauline epistles. It only appears in the Old Testament, the gospels, and Hebrews and I Peter. "Shepherds" is only used through the gospels. The word seems to relate to the Jews only. The word "sheep" is only used once in the pauline epistles: Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. The context of the verse is that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, and that we are, in persecutions, hardships and death more than conquerors through Him that loved us. The context isn't that we are a bunch of dumb sheep that follow a man as our shepherd. Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. No man is to tell us what to believe and how to live. Pastors/elders are to preach and teach from the Word of God. Their function is not to tell us what to believe and how to live. We are ALL members of the body of Christ. There is only one head and that is Christ. Most of Christendom is a man-made edifice built by man to glorify man. The structure will remain behind after Jesus comes back to take His church to heaven with Him. Thank you again, brother George, for the care you take in preaching and teaching the Holy Word of God. |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Re: "Church Governance"
Quote:
Aloha sister Jennifer, I did this study last year and finished it in June, 2008. I had attempted to do the study back in the 1970's and after struggling for a while - I gave it up. There were some things I just could not figure out. If we can not figure out a spiritual issue, we should just let it go - instead of forcing it into something we can understand {i.e. “a system of biblical interpretation” or “theological formulations”}, or looking to other men (the "commentators") for understanding. Genuine spiritual discernment and understanding comes only from God [1 Corinthians 2:1-16]; and herein lays the main problem with modern day Fundamentalist Christianity. Rather than just study the word of God and look to God to give discernment and understanding (including waiting on God) - modern day Christians think that "Bible" Seminary, "Bible" College, "Bible" University, or "Bible" School will serve as a SUBSTITUTE for what only God can give. {Most of the "graduates" of these Schools have lots of Bible "knowledge", and very little genuine spiritual discernment, understanding, and wisdom.} And most of those modern day Christians who do not "matriculate" at a "Bible" School or College, etc., will look to the "Bible" School graduates (the "commentators") for their discernment and understanding, rather than study the Holy word of God on their own (witness the constant reference to men here on the Forum). In other words, most modern day Christians are looking to and depending on MEN for their spiritual discernment and understanding, rather than God; with the tragic result that when it comes to spiritual issues they are unable to JUDGE a matter according to the Scriptures! Now don't get me wrong - God calls men to preach and teach His word. And I studied (at home) under some of those men for about 20 years (1968-1988). I learned a lot about the Bible; the history of the various churches, the history of the Bible; etc.; but what I did not do was depend on these men for my spiritual discernment and understanding. That is why I continually ask my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not to just accept what I teach, but rather search the Scriptures to see if those things are so! {This is one of the reasons I cite whole verses of Scripture, rather than just the verse references.} I'm pleased to hear that you and brother John are going to look for a church to attend; and I don't mean to discourage you from going to church (after all - the church of God is God's Institution), but be prepared for some disappointment. I don't want to disappoint you, but the sad truth is, it is extremely difficult to find a genuine Bible believing church in the U.S.A. today. Most Fundamentalist churches in America today do not believe that the King James Bible is the Holy word of God (and will CORRECT it if given the opportunity); and many of the churches that do profess to believe in the King James Bible are run by authoritarian pastors who think their job is to replace the Lord Jesus Christ as the only HEAD of His church and replace the Holy Spirit when it comes to spiritual discernment and understanding. Most genuine Bible believing churches will be small (in number of attendees) and not very "popular". {And of course we must keep in mind that NO church is going to be "PERFECT", since it will be made up of imperfect saved sinners}. It is my sincere desire that you and brother John find a church, but if you can not, you might consider getting together with brothers and sisters (of like mind) and holding your own services in your home. {That's how the early churches started, and it may be the way that we will end up.} From what I have seen of brother John's Posts, I believe he would be "qualified" to teach the Scriptures, and one thing's for certain - he wouldn't be CORRECTING them! Whatever you decide, I pray that you will always look to the Lord and His Holy word to guide you in your decision. Psalms 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I will pray for you and John to locate a true Church that teaches and edifies from the KJV Bible and believes it to be the ONLY true Word of God. As brother George has said, it's extremely difficult to find one in the USA today. I've been to so many and even the Baptist churches (that are usually KJVO) are weakening and following worldly churches in several things. I tried going to an Independent Baptist church and they had Christian rock music. That, for me, is a not-so-subtle warning that this is a worldly church. With all of the "church planting" going on - they're just creating more and more false clones to push the TRUE Church out of "popularity." I guess that people today are used to all of the inherent "bells and whistles" that they think are part of church services now. Many of them have so many "offices" and "leaders" that I wonder how they can have any kind of cohesiveness and cooperation! Anyway, I will pray that the 2 of you will find a wonderful church family that teaches the TRUTH! If they preach PAUL'S Gospel of Christ - crucified, buried, and risen (1 Corinthians 15), then they're certainly on the right track! I'm just SHOCKED at the number of churches that have no idea how to rightly divide the Word of God and just mix it all up into a confusion of Law and Grace! If a church avoids preaching Paul's epistles, you certainly can know that that's a church you ought to avoid! Jassy Jassy |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Brother George,
Thank you for your well wishes. The church we are considering is a Grace (not Calvinist!!!) church recommended by Tony . It is a KJBO church and I am hoping we fit in there. It's a small gathering as I understand, it meets at Double Tree hotel! I think you are right that sometime in the not so distant future we may all have to meet in our homes because of growing apostasy in the churches. If the Lord brings us to a place where we could have a group of like-minded believers meet in our home someday that would be so wonderful. Thank you so much for your kind comments about my husband. In Christ, Jennifer |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Thank you so much, Jassy. I appreciate your prayers. I will pray as well that the Lord will lead you to a fellowship where you can be a part of a local body of believers. KJBO and dispensational teaching goes without saying!!! This forum seems to fill a part of that need for some of us. God is so good to us.
Your sister in Christ Jesus, Jennifer |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|