I write as one who has
preached among the Churches of Christ (non-instrument) for 65 years. Rhoderick D. Ice
The Local
Church Is A Work In
Progress
The church must be forever
"restoring and being restored."
The church of the New Testament set an example we try to follow.
What does the Bible say about
this? The Bible is our Instruction
Manual about what God wants us to do. We
ask: "What did God say?" But
we must read with care. We may
"read into" the Bible things not there and miss the point. Compare 2 Cor. 3:14,17. "But their minds
were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the
reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.... Now the
Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty."
“For God has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 (NKJV)
"For this reason I left
you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and
appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- " Titus 1:5 (NKJV)
To Set In order. Some things
required time to complete. To appoint church elders. These were spiritual
leaders in the local congregation, and there were always more than one. Compare
1 Tim. 3:1-7. Note that the church at Ephesus had church elders
in less than three years time (Acts 20:17). In every city. Each congregation
had its own church elders and church deacons.
(R.D.Ice BSNT)
Church Elders are:
1. "Clerks
watching the store while the Boss is away."
Someone has to keep things running
smoothly.
Compare the Parable of
Pounds. "A certain nobleman went
into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered
to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.'" Luke 19:13 (NKJV)
2. "Older
brothers watching out for the younger children."
They need protection and
guidance. "Obey those who rule over
you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must
give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be
unprofitable for you." Hebrews
13:17 (NKJV)
3. "Not dictators but facilitators." 1 Peter 5:2-4. "nor as being lords over those entrusted
to you, but being examples to the flock;" (NKJV)
4. "Coaches urging and directing the team on to victory."
Compare Hebrews 12:1 where
Paul uses the Olympic Games as a teaching example. "Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and
the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us," (NKJV)
The Top Ten Questions
for Potential Elders (adapted from an article in the Christian Standard.)
A Church Leader must be one who LOVES
THE LORD! If he does not - nothing else
would matter.
There has been a Tradition that said no
one is "perfect enough" to be a Church Leader. But what happens then is that someone
unqualified takes the control, often as a "church boss" in the worst
sense. What a person is NOW is most
important. Compare 1 Cor. 6:11. The church in the New Testament appointed
elders and deacons in a short time.
Being "full of the Holy Spirit" and of "common sense
wisdom" and being respected in the local community is all vitally
important. Read Acts 6:1-6.
"Therefore I testify to you this
day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to
declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and
to 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." Acts 20:26-28
(NKJV)
"Now it's up to you
overseers.
Be on your toes—both for
yourselves
and your congregation of
sheep.
The Holy Spirit has put you
in charge
of these people—God's
people they are—
to guard and protect them.
God Himself thought they
were worth dying for.
Not bossily telling others
what to do,
but tenderly showing them
the way.
When God, who is the best
Shepherd of all,
comes out in the open with
His rule
He'll see that you've done
it right
and commend you lavishly.
The Jewish Synagogue as
model.
The synagogue was
developed while Israel was
held captive in Babylon. Since they no longer had access to the Temple, some form was needed for Bible study
and worship. This same form provided the
pattern for the church as they spread across the first century world. Church leaders (also called elders, bishops,
pastors) were to take the lead in spiritual matters as a board of
directors. Church helpers (also called
deacons, servants) were needed to administer to the physical needs of the
congregation. In the Christian Family,
the whole person (body, soul, spirit) was encouraged to grow and to develop
into a Christ-like maturity. Paul speaks
of church organization and body-life in Ephesians, 1 Timothy and Titus.
Eph. 4:11-16
And He filled earth
with His gifts.
He handed out gifts of
apostle,
prophet, evangelist,
and pastor-teacher
to train Christians in
skilled servant work,
working within
Christ's body, the church,
until we're all moving
rhythmically and
easily with each other
efficient and graceful
in response to God's
Son,
fully mature adults,
fully developed
within and without,
fully alive like
Christ.
No prolonged infancies
among us, please.
We'll not tolerate
babes in the woods,
small children who are
an easy mark for
impostors.
God wants us to grow
up,
to know the whole
truth and
tell it in love—like
Christ in everything.
We take our lead from
Christ,
who is the source of
everything we do.
He keeps us in step
with each other.
His very breath and
blood
flow through us,
nourishing us
so that we will grow
up healthy
in God, robust in
love.
1 Tim. 3:1-7
If anyone wants to
provide leadership, good!
But there are
preconditions:
A leader must be
well-thought-of,
committed to his wife,
cool and collected,
accessible, and
hospitable.
He must know what he's
talking about,
not be overfond of
wine,
not pushy but gentle,
not thin-skinned and
touchy,
not money-hungry.
He must handle his own
affairs well,
attentive to his own
children
and having their
respect.
For if someone is
unable to
handle his own
affairs,
how can he take care
of God's church?
He must not be a new
believer,
lest the position go
to his head
and the Devil trip him
up.
Outsiders must think
well of him,
or else the Devil will
figure out a way
to lure him into his
trap.
1. Is this man committed to
his wife and family? One who dearly
loves his wife and family will be able to dearly love God's People. If he is mean and abusive to his wife and
family - WATCH OUT!
2. Has this man shown
wisdom in decision-making? Does he have "common sense
wisdom"? Does he have a sense of
psychology and how things work.
3. Has this man shown the
ability to keep his temper in check?
Everyone has a 'temper' but we learn to control it. Some are more controlled than others. The man who will make a good elder will have a
tough skin, a tender heart, a short memory, and a long fuse.
4. Is this man willing to
be inconvenienced for others? Will he go
the "second mile"?
5. Is this man capable of
teaching Scripture to others? You are
not simply looking for a man who knows how to say something, but rather a man
who has something to say - something from God.
6. Has this man established
wise personal habits? If his life is
disorganized confusion - WATCH OUT!
7. Does this man have a
strong sense of stewardship? The
"one talent man" had no sense of stewardship. He was fearful but not adventurist in a good
sense.
8. Does this man have a
track record of discipling leadership?
You're looking for a man who's got a track record of leading people
closer to Jesus.
9. Has this man been a
Christian long enough to maintain humility?
Paul says he must not be a recent convert, or he may become
conceited. The chief occupational hazard
of spiritual leadership is pride, and too much visibility too soon in a man's
Christian pilgrimage can inflate his ego.
10. Is this man respected
in the community? The first quality listed is "above reproach,"
literally meaning "not able to be held." In other words, if charges were leveled
against this man, he wouldn't even be held for questioning because his
reputation is so solid. He's Teflon, not
Velcro. His integrity is such that
accusations just won't stick. But this
only comes with time. However some reach
it sooner because they are gifted.
A Final Word of Challenge
“The local church is the hope of the
world, and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.” If it’s
true that everything rises and falls with leadership, then as your congregation
selects its elders, you’ll want to take a close look again at this picture of a
spiritual leader in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. The work of the church is too critical,
the stakes are too high, the consequences are too eternal for a congregation to
choose its leaders hastily (1 Timothy 5:22). Choose poorly, and the church will
miss opportunities to build the kingdom.
But if leaders are chosen
wisely, the church will flourish. And when the church flourishes, the gospel is
preached, the lost are found, souls are saved, sin is confronted, children are
taught, marriages are mended, addictions are broken, the hungry are fed, the grieving
are comforted, the lonely are embraced, the wounded are healed, the community
is transformed, and the nations are reached with the good news of Christ.
When the leaders are at
their best, the church will be at its best, and when the church is at its best,
it is breathtaking to behold. Look out world!
A final reminder. Remember:
this picture Paul provides in 1 Timothy 3 is a sketch, not a snapshot. As you
search for leaders, you’re looking for a great resemblance, but you may not
find an exact likeness.
Keep in mind that “all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Look for excellence
in character, but apply these standards with grace. You can (and should) find
men who have learned to sin less, but you will never find men who are SINLESS.
(1 John 1:6-10; 2:1-3)
At the end of the day, the
good news is this: everything rises and falls with One Leader – JESUS - and
while we may fail, He never does.
