An Overview of Church Leadership

January 20, 2002 Preacher: Randy Smith Series: Miscellaneous

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1–15

Transcript

An Overview of Church Leadership

1 Timothy 3:1-15
Sunday, January 20, 2002
Pastor Randy Smith



Any educator is told that people learn better when they see the information as speaking to their personal needs. For that reason, wise teachers will always seek to engage their student's hearts in the material before they ever present any information. If the student believes the following information to be relevant to their perceived need, the attention will be engaged and the learning enhanced.

Sometimes teachers need to create this "anticipatory set." Other times it simply falls in their lap. September 11 fell into the lap of many preachers. Most Americans are questioning the goodness of God and their eternal future. Another situation has fallen into my lap specifically regarding an issue in this church- the biblical role of elders and deacons.

As I mentioned before, I rarely steer away from the momentum created by our book studies. However, based on questions at church, phone calls and emails, I sense a strong need for education on the topic of church leadership. Since many are itching for this information, and since the annual meeting is approaching, I felt it best to break away from Colossians to address this particular topic.

Furthermore, it gives you another week to chomp on the sin lists (or the "put offs") in Colossians 3 before we turn our attention to the "put ons" for the next two weeks.

REASON FOR THIS SERMON

Last week I asked you to be involved in the process of examining 8 men based on the qualifications in the Bible for the office of elder and deacon. Many of you have taken this responsibility very seriously, and you should! Bringing men into church office is a very serious issue that will have either positive or negative effects on the church.

I have personally examined these men formally and informally, met with them individually and read exactly 100 pages of personal applications. Furthermore, I have made the issue of church leadership foremost in my biblical studies. But still on Feb. 13, your vote will count just as much as mine. Therefore, you must learn the facts about the office and the biblical elements of appointing these men. One - In fairness to these men, two - in fairness to our church and three - in accountability before God.

Therefore, I plan to give a biblical overview of church leadership. This study is simply an overview; it is by no means intended to be an exhaustive presentation on the subject. I have structured this message in the form of Q and A, simply based on 9 questions that I have most often received about elders and deacons.

1. WHAT IS AN ELDER AND DEACON?

The office of elder is spoken of throughout the Bible and often in the New Testament They are commonly called by different names. In addition to the name elder, they are referred to as shepherds/pastors, pastor-teachers and overseers/bishops. All these terms apply to the same office and describe a different function of their calling. For instance, in Acts 20, Paul calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus (Ac. 20:17). In vs. 28, in speaking to the elders, he says, "Be on guard for yourselves and for 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 20:28). Likewise in 1 Pet. 5, "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight " (1 Pet. 5:1-2a).

Deacons, on the other hand, are mentioned only a few times in the New Testament (5 to be exact). The office seemed to have evolved during the later half of the first century, as we see them only mentioned in the later New Testament letters. For instance, Paul addressed his letter to the Philippian church to the "overseers and deacons" (Phil. 1:1). The other four occurrences are found in 1 Timothy 3 where qualifications for the office are discussed. The Greek word translated deacon is diakonos. Often the word elsewhere is translated "servant" (not in reference to any office). In antiquity it referred to one who "waited on tables."

2. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN ELDER AND DEACON?

Elders have a variety of roles as delineated in the Scriptures. Pastoral Role- Shepherd the church (overarching), counseling, discipline, protection from error (Ac. 20:28). Educational Role- Teach the church, correct the church, exhort the church (1 Ti. 3:2). Leadership Role- Oversee the church as a steward of God (1 Ti. 5:17). Representative Role- Represent the church when necessary (Ac. 20:17-31). Our constitution states, "It shall be the duty of elders to rule well, interpretation and applying the whole counsel of God, maintaining a watchful eye over the spiritual life of the church, and having general oversight over all the activities of the church in cooperation with the pastor, aiding him in his duties, supplying the pulpit in his absence, and with the pastor, exercising jurisdiction over matters pertaining to church services and organization."

When people ask me my role as an pastor/elder, I primarily take them to three specific passages in the Word. The first is a priority to focus on the Word and prayer. "Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word' " (Acts 6:1-4).

The second role involves the aspects of equipping. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12). The third primary role of an elder is to reproduce faithful leadership. The Apostle Paul in speaking to Timothy, a pastor at Ephesus, "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also " (2 Tim. 2:2). The greatest contribution I can make for this church and the universal church is the reproduction of myself so more can be touched with the gospel. It is my biblical responsibility to find faithful men and pour my life into them. Bottom line- that's why I stand before you today. I thank God for the (painful!) investment other pastors/elders made in my life.

Additionally, the word elder is always plural in the NT, making the case for a collective plurality with equal authority jointly ruling the church as a unified team. Also, the elders are to function as undershepherds (Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the church-1 Pet. 5:4), under the accountability of God. "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account " (Heb. 13:17).

The role of a deacon is not as clearly defined in the Scriptures. According to the verse that I read from Acts 6, though I believe a parallel comparison is not exact, deacons are to free up the elders to be devoted to the Word and prayer. Due to this, the church throughout history has often assigned to deacons the affairs of the building, finances and care for the sick and elderly.

I believe our constitution states their role well. "It shall be the duty of deacons to serve well (elders were to "rule well"), to lead by example, and to encourage the flock to fulfill the duties of every loving Christian servant, attending to the needs of the saints and assisting the pastor and elders. Deacons are called to such practical service as visitation, ministry to the sick and shut-ins, relief of the poor, needy and distressed (deacon's fund), and attending to prisoners, sojourners, widows, and the elderly. They are to assist the pastor in the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They shall be responsible for the care, custody, and oversight of property and finances of the church, and care and custody of all papers relating to the care, custody and oversight of said property such as leases, deeds and agreements."

Now, our deacons have not been fully functioning in this capacity for one simple reason. For the past year and a half they have been forced to function as pastors, elders and deacons and might I add, have been very faithful through much work. But don't let that fool you into believing that that is the biblical role of a deacon. Deacons are not your primary rulers, counselors, teachers or decision makers in matters of doctrine and practice. As I mentioned, their name means "servants." They are often called "ministers of mercy." And with the possible addition of more elders and 6 potential deacons, I would like to see us move in this direction.

The church leadership consists of elders and deacons. Both offices constitute a God-given authority over specific affairs of the church. Deacons, as some believe, are not lesser in essence than elders. They simply function differently in their submission to the elders, no different than the submission employee are expected to give their employers, citizens their government, wives their husbands. All are equal in essence, different in role. Submission and headship are not bad things! "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:3). Was Christ any less God than the Father? Absolutely not! In the same way, deacons submit to the elders but function alongside them as church officers equal in essence, different in role.

For this reason, I do not believe that the office of a deacon is a "stepping-stone" to the office of an elder. In many ways the respective offices call for different desires and giftedness. Though not required, deacons are often gifted along the lines of mercy, helps and service, whereas elders are often gifted teachers, leaders and administrators. A lifelong deacon is not an insult, rather it's a praise that a man is content to be a humble servant behind the scenes his whole life!

3. WHO MAY BECOME AN ELDER OR DEACON?

The Bible gives three elements as to what every deacon and elder must possess. First is a God-given desire for the office. "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires (stretch out, long for, reach after) to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires (long for, passionate compulsion) to do" (1 Tim. 3:1). Like any service in the church, the man must sense a Spirit-given compulsion to dedicate his life to the work.

Second, the elder or deacon must be a man. Though this is not a politically correct element, it is a biblical one, and we must be in the business of following God's Word rather than the world's view. Obviously women are valued in the church, honored in the church and free to do anything else in the church that does not involve an authoritative/teaching ministry over men. Time permits me from further clarifying this issue, but for now allow me to show you some passages from right here in 1 Timothy that mandated this view. 3:1- "if any man aspires to the office of overseer." 3:2- "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife." 3:4- "He must be one who handles his own household well." And the masculine personal pronoun, in the original Greek, is found 7 more times in the next 4 verses. The same case could be made for deacons in 3:12 who must be the "husband of only one wife." Possibly the best argument comes one chapter earlier in chapter 2. "Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet" (2:11-12). Though some say this verse speaks of cultural or pre-fall situations, Paul in the next two verses explains that this order was established from the time of creation.

Thirdly, the elder or deacon's character must be "above reproach." That leads us to question #4.

4. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ELDER AND DEACON?

The qualifications for deacons and elders are listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. In discussing elder qualifications, "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

In discussing the qualifications for deacons, "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 3:8-13).

As I mentioned before, you can also find more elder qualifications in Titus 1:5-9. All of these qualifications I have defined on the 4-page insert in your bulletin.

As I'm sure you noticed in the reading of Timothy 3, the qualifications relate to a man's character, ability to manage his household and for elders, competency with the Word of God in the areas of teaching and refuting error. The quality that defines these qualifications is the term mentioned in each list, "above reproach." Being "above reproach" does mean sinlessness, if so we would have no leaders! It does not mean others have seen a man commit one of these sins in the past. Simply "above reproach" means that a man cannot be characterized by the negative traits, and he is characterized by the positive traits. In other words, it is the overarching, all-embracing quality, based on the qualification lists that characterize his life. There is no identifiable sin pattern that would discredit his ministry or bring shame to the church. He has an upright moral and spiritual reputation and is able to lead by example.

A few related comments. First, there is a need for theological knowledge, primarily amongst elders, but there is nothing in the lists about a man's leadership abilities, communication skills, worldly wisdom, talents or personality. Biblically, a church officer is primarily appointed based on character. Regardless of all a man can bring to the table, if the character is not there, he is disqualified.

Second, these character qualifications are true for all Christians; male and female, not just church leaders. There is nothing in these lists which any of us, whether we are called to church leadership or not, should not be seeking to improve. We should all be "above reproach" in these areas. Paul's point is simply that elders/deacons cannot assume office until they have demonstrated themselves "above reproach" in these areas.

Third, many men even in this flock for example, are "above reproach" in these character qualifications. But simply being "above reproach" does not mean they must be an elder or deacon. Remember God must call them. This is evidenced by a desire and aspiration for the office.

Finally, formal schooling is not necessary to hold the office of elder or deacon. Though elders must be theologically grounded, there is no biblical evidence that they need a seminary degree.

5. HOW ARE DEACONS AND ELDERS APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE?

As the qualifications are biblical, the procedure should be biblical as well. I believe, when this procedure is implemented properly, hurt feelings are spared and great confidence is given that we have the right men for office. Following are the detailed steps you would take if interested in church leadership. First, the process starts with self-examination of your life compared with the qualifications listed in the Scriptures. Second, the process is permeated with prayer as to your character and potential desire for the office of church leadership. Third, you believe yourself to be above reproach in the qualifications and have a God-given desire for leadership. You then take responsibility to inform the pastor. Fourth, you and the pastor/current church leadership will process further through applications and personal interviews. Fifth, your name will be brought before the congregation for examination. Obviously, 150 people collectively know your life better than 4! This is a tremendous check and balance system to ensure that the whole congregation knows you are above reproach. Sixth, individuals in the congregation need to examine/understand the qualifications listed for office, examine their own life and go to you if they feel you are not "above reproach" in the said biblical qualifications. Seventh, if issues of biblical warrant are brought to you attention, it is your responsibility to withdraw you name from candidacy. Eighth, members vote their conscience during the congregational meeting, either "Yes" because the man is biblically qualified, "above reproach," or "No" because they have gone to the man with legitimate concerns, and the man's name still appears on the ballot.

This biblical process is extremely effective when all in the church implement it in such a fashion. The problems come when you see a man with ongoing sin and fail to go to him. First, there would then be a potential for an unqualified man in office. Second, there would be confusion amongst the candidate. How would you feel if you received 3 "no votes" and had no idea of what you need to work on? Biblically we are called to go to the person with known sin, gently, face-to-face. This is an act of love. I see nothing in Scripture that would allow for an anonymous check mark on a ballot to substitute for that process.

Problems also arise when we discuss these issues with each other. That's gossip! If you have a problem with the candidate, go to the candidate. If you have a problem with the process, go to the pastor. If anyone comes to you mentioning another's sins, or complaining about the process, stop the conversation, rebuke them on their sin and channel them to the proper person!

I sometimes get this question. "Is it OK to encourage a man to consider church leadership?" Sure! It is OK to encourage anyone to any church ministry! But please don't encourage a man until you know his character and understand all the biblical requirements listed in Scripture. A false sense of assurance can be discouraging when a man begins the process only to be rejected from the get-go. Nevertheless, and I wish to be clear, the process begins not when a man is encouraged, but rather when he tells me that he is "above reproach" with a God-given desire for the office.

6. HOW DOES AN ELDER LEAD?

You can get my sermon tape if you were absent (on Acts 20) when I dealt with these issues in detail. But I will provide a brief overview. "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Pet. 5:1-4). In a nutshell, leaders follow the leadership principle demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve and give His life for many. Leaders lead through personal example and service.

7. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF 1 TIMOTHY 3:11?

1 Timothy 3:11 says, "Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." The question, is Paul speaking of deaconesses or deacon's wives? I have been studying this issue in detail and am coming to some conclusions. However, I plan to leave you hanging a little on this one. Time this morning does not permit me to deal fully with the subject, but I promise, I will answer this question in the near future (please check the web-site).

8. HOW WILL NEW ELDERS/DEACONS AFFECT MY ROLE IN THE CHURCH?

I mention this, because a few have already asked this question. I see the addition of elders and deacons not only as a biblical direction in which we must precede, but also as the ability to move in the direction we are trying to head as a church. The addition of deacons will assist Rocky and Bill in the management of the finances and building, a job way to big for two deacons.

Furthermore, the addition of deacons will enable us to start a ministry to the many widowed and elderly women in our church, in addition to the assistance of practical needs that are forever brought to the church both from within and outside the community.

The addition of elders will help me in the overwhelming load of counseling, assisting in the major decisions that need to be made on a daily basis, protecting the church through oversight from error and false teaching, and further biblically instructing the flock. The addition of elders would provide a plurality of leadership, an ability to send out equipped men to fill pulpits and strengthen churches, and an ability to reach more lives. With the addition of elders, I do not plan to preach any less, teach any less or in many ways counsel any less. I still plan to keep myself available for each and every one of your needs as I have attempted to in the past eight months. In my absences, I still plan to have outside speakers fill the pulpit for the time being, but would desire to see men who can handle the Word from the pulpit from within our elder board in the future, as it is stated in our constitution.

I am only here because men have reproduced themselves in my life. I believe I have an obligation to God and the universal church to do the same. To reproduce men, if He is willing, who can go out and proclaim the eternal Word.

9. WHAT IS THE CONGREGATION'S RESPONSIBILITY TO LEADERSHIP?

I can't close this message with all the attention on the leadership, because the leaders are only one side of the coin. The followers also have responsibilities according to the Word of God.

Did you know that the average stay for an American pastor in a church today is 3 years? I could relay to you countless horror stories where congregations have literally driven their shepherds out of the ministry. The American church has put demands on their pastors that are inhumanly possible. Meet everyone's needs, please everybody, continually deal major problem issues on a daily basis, teach 3-4 times a week, handle all the administrative affairs of the church, visit congregation and congregation's family members in the hospital, spend formal and informal time with everybody, work with a complete volunteer staff, disciple, shepherd, counsel, pray, study the Word, be involved in the community, spend 6 days at the church, receive complaints and problem phone calls in the evenings and their day off, and take full responsibility when anything in the church goes wrong. They are often misunderstood, falsely accused, slandered and critiqued. The average pastor devotes over 60 hours a week to the ministry and conducts their family affairs in a fishbowl. Is it any wonder, when surveyed, 80% of them feel that the ministry has negatively affected their family. You know, a few more pastors would be around if they were prayed for and treated with more kindness and understanding.

I often feel worse for elders and deacons. These men often have other full-time jobs and are volunteering their life to the church. The average deacon/elder will invest between 5 and 15 hours a week into the Lord's work at the church and often the church simply thinks it's their job to critique them! Is it any wonder why the Lord has instructions for the congregation? "You younger men (though applicable to all), likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Pet. 5:5). "Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith" (Heb. 13:7). "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). "But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work" (1 Thes. 5:12-13).

Well, that's the overview. I hope I answered any questions that may have been lingering in your mind. If I didn't, please stop in or call me this week. Lord willing, I plan to resume our study in Colossians next week, so allow me to conclude with a transition to that text. Next week we'll study the virtues that need to be put on (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, etc), but last week we studied what the Christian needs to put off (anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, immorality, greed, etc). As I was meditating throughout the week, the situation before us regarding leadership is a very practical time to either "put on" or "put off." Have you responded this week with kindness, humility, thankfulness, gentleness and forbearance? Or have you responded with slander, gossip, jealousy and envy? May we go forward in one spirit in regards to God-honoring church leadership. May we go forward as individuals who seek to honor the Lord with our own personal lives as well throughout the process.


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