Questions On Local Church Organization

Answer This is an important question and misunderstanding of this answer has led to tremendous error even to the point of the spawning of worldwide institutions such as the Catholic church.

First, let me begin by saying that the Scriptures teach the elders and pastors and bishops and overseers are all the same - that is, they refer to the same office in a local church. each of the words simply focuses on certain aspects of the functions involved in this office.

Second, they are to serve in "local" churches and not on any scale larger than this. See Acts 14:23, Phil. 1:1, 1 Peter 5:1-4. For people to take authority over more that a local group of Christens is an act that is unauthorized in the New Testament. Also, as far as we know, there is no evidence that there should ever be a single elder ruling over any local church.

Just to note, this is where the Catholic church began; one man overreaching his rule across several local groups until this eventually evolved into the papacy.

Finally, these men are to meet certain qualifications that are given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The qualification focus on how a man behaves a and teaches his own family in the Word. This is the training ground that will ultimately qualify him to serve in leading a local church. Contact Gary

Question 2. How should a church body select a pastor and what should the > relationship between a pastor and the elders or board of directors be?

Answer First of all I assume you are using the term "pastor" in the sense of "minister" or "preacher" because in the New Testament the term "pastor" and "elder" refer to the same persons. "Pastor" is the Latin translation of the Greek poimen which in English is translated "Shepherd".

Secondly the terms "elders" and "board of directors" are not the same. The New Testament Church did not have a "board of directors", but they did have elders, and it was always plural in number.

GREEK ANGLICIZED ENGLISH-(ANGLO-SAXON) LATIN

1. presbutos "presbyter" "elder" - old (maturity)

2. episcopus "episcopal" "bishop" - "overseer"

3. poimen "shepherd" - tending the flock "Pastor"

4. euangelistes "evangelist" "Evangelist" - Preacher, messenger

Acts 14:23 "And when they had ordained them elders (1) in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

Titus 1:5 "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (1) in every city, as I had appointed thee:" Titus 1:7 "For a bishop (2) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;"

Acts 20:17 "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders (1) of the church."

Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, (3) over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (2), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders (1) +that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."

Philippians 1:1 "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (2) and deacons:"

1 Peter 5:1 "The elders (1) which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder (1), and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:" 1 Peter 5:2 "Feed the flock (3) of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" 1 Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock (3)."

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists (4) and some, pastors (3)and teachers;"

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."

From these verses we see the elders are to (1) feed the church (2) guard the flock (3) rule the church (4) tend the flock (5) watch over their souls. The members, of which the minister is one, are to be submissive to the elders, but the elders are not to "lord over them". The Elders are to lead by example.

As far as selecting a preacher, there is no specific New Testament pattern or command laid down. The members can give input, but the final decision is up to the elders. It seems the main thing to consider would be (1) Does he preach the truth? (2) Does he live that truth? Contact Danny

Question 3. My Bible question comes from I Timothy 3:4 where the qualifications of elders are given.The term children is being applied as >>one of the qualifications of an elder. Can the term children in this passage include a man with just one child, or does it mean more than one? I realize the word children is plural, but based on other applications in the Bible it seems also to apply to just one child. If possible convey your thoughts on this question, and please use Bible passages to base your opinions on.

Answer There is some discussion of this subject in the Lord's church. Most people I know believe that a single child qualifies a man to be an elder according to 1 Timothy for the very reason that you state: children is frequently used to refer to a single child.

As just one example from the Bible, in Gen. 16, Sarai says to Abraham,

2 So Sarai said to Abram, "See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing [children]. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her." And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.

When Hagar became pregnant with Ishmael, Sarai was extremely jealous and couldn't stand looking at her. So Sarai was upset even though Hagar was pregnant with just a single child. A strict interpretation of verse 2 would make one assume that Sarai would only have reacted if Hagar had more than one child, since she said "children." However, she is simply using the term the same way we do today. If you ask a parent of an only child if she has any children, she will say, "I have a daughter" or "I have one." She wouldn't say, "No, I only have one child." I believe the same is true of an Elder's qualifications in 1 Timothy.

To add a little more to what Michael wrote, a few more examples may help show that children is a general term that include any number of offspring, one or more. We will list three examples and then make a concluding point.

GEN 21:7 And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

In this passage although Sarah uses "children", it is clear that she only had one child, Isaac.

1TI 5:4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Here Paul speaking of Christian widows who should not be constantly cared for by the church would be in situations where they had children or grandchildren to take care of them. Obviously this would include those with one child.

1TI 5:9 ś A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
1TI 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Finally, Paul describes those widows who should be placed on the list of those who should be constatly cared for by a local church. Among other things, they were to have brought up children. Of course, this would include those who just had one child.

Therefore in 1 Tim. 3:4 and Titus 1:6 where Paul mentions an elder or bishop having children who believe, he obviously means that it would include one or more children. The point being a man should show that he rules his house well by raising his children (one or more) to be Christians so the church may see that he has experience that would serve him well in leading the church. (GLH) Contact Michael or Contact Gary

Question 4. What are some solid scriptures on authority and protocol in the church? I was told that no brother can correct a deacon;no deacon can correct ministers; no ministers can correct elders;no one can correct the pastor nor his wife.

Answer This could not be further from the truth. There is a misconception here about God's authority and the roles of those in a local church who serve as elders, deacons and preachers. Following the line of "reasoning" expressed in your question would and has resulted in false teaching that can affect not only a local church but even many congregations. The most glaring and notable example of this is the Roman Catholic church.

The Scriptures teach that we should submit to the authority of Jesus and the apostles expressed in the written word. Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 2:42. And, those who serve as preachers, deacons and elders are to follow that word in their service to the Lord. In fact, the Word sets for the the qualifications for these men who would serve. For elders, look at 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. These passages also speak of deacons. Then, for preachers, the books of First and Second Timothy, along with the book of Titus, set forth qualifications that should be displayed in their service.

Then finally,. the crucial part of the question about whether we can correct those men who serve in these positions. The answer is, an emphatic "yes"! See Gal. 1:6-9, 2:11-14, Acts 20:28-32, 1 Tim. 5:17-22 Matt. 18:15-17. Although we should obey those who serve as elders, we should not submit to them, if they violate the Word of God. Heb. 13:17, Acts 5:27-32.

As a further safeguard, these elders are to watch over a local church only and not a group of churches or some district of churches. Acts 14:23, 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

If you are entangled in a church where loving correction is not encouraged, I would encourage you, and anyone else in this situation, to leave such a group. Not only your soul is in danger, but the souls of those who lead and follow the false teachers are in danger. Contact Gary

Question 5. Should I be concerned that there a women deacons in my church? I am just beginning to search Scriptures for the answer. I have posed this question to others and have been sited scripture that seems to support both points of view (Women should not be deacons vs Women can be deacons). I am >also curious as to what a "Deacon" is suppose to do. Perhaps my church uses the word "Deacon" incorrectly and the Women "deacons" are in fact not "Deacons" as defined in the Bible. (???)