The Officer and the Church
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today’s passage we see the foundation of biblical leadership being defined within the church. The office of elder and deacon. I will go a little out of bounds to discuss the role of member alongside of elder and deacon.
Today will mark the practical application of this passage as I will become ordained through the SBC as your teaching Pastor.
Members
Members
I want to start by focusing the attention on members, without members there is no church. No matter the office in one regard we all members of the Church. We are the bride of Christ.
In the local context we do have distinctions between parities or offices in the church. One is not greater than other, each have a very important in the life of the body.
Remembering the Church both global and local has the calling to glorify God and make Him known. The Church is about Christ.
The members of the Church in their specif role. 9 Marks ministry has done a wonderful work identifying what these roles are for members.
Members are called to assemble together. 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.”
This is not to be forsaken, the Church collective has by the Resurrection declared the formal day of gathering is Sunday (the Lord’s day) but the church is not limited to just one day. She shall gather when the church (Pastor) calls for meetings to discuss issues good or bad facing the church.
The Church is also called to gather as often as they can for the edification of the saints.
It should come as no surprise to you, but I hate talking on the phone, texting is trash, I much rather call a meeting to talk face to face or sit down over coffee.
It is when the church gathers over the breaking of bread, the singing of psalms/ hymns, and spiritual songs that she is able to grow in the other areas that are called duties of church membership.
2. Much like the Pastor, members should know and protect the doctrine of the church.
Around a month ago now I sought ordination within the SBC. I specifically chose men who would challenge me on doctrine and the purity of Baptist life.
These men were chosen because they are not yes men, they are fighters for the faith. They approved me for ordination which will happen after this sermon.
In the same way great care was taken to select me as a minister and to protect the values, culture, and belief of the SBC members of the church must do the same for her body.
While each church determines membership of her body through what Baptist believe as rengernational membership. It would not be wise for the body of Christ who is Baptist to call a Presbyterian to be their minister. It is also not wise to call those of another Christian tradition into church membership without serious conversation.
Her members should not blindly trust the Pastor, but rather know the doctrines of the Christian faith. The baptist don’t have has many safe guards as the Presbyterians do in regards to weeding out false or differing teachers. However it is the duty of the members to know the word of God.
3. Church members are responsible to receive and dismiss church members. This goes a
long with the doctrine of church discipline in accordance with the Pastor who recommends such disciplinary actions.
4. This should go without saying but to love one another. The Church in Acts provided and cared for each other as Christ cares for the Church. It is here that I credit Waughtown Baptist highly for indeed there is no doubt of their love of each other.
5. Submit to your elders. In the words of Matt Emadi
Hebrews 13:17 exhorts Christians to obey their leaders and to submit to them. Elders are a gift from Christ to his church. They are men of character gifted in teaching and applying the Scriptures (1 Tim. 3:1–7). Church members are responsible to obey Jesus by submitting to their elders because the elders keep watch over their souls as those who will give an account (Heb. 13:17). Obviously, church members should not follow their elders blindly, but insofar as the elders are teaching the Scriptures and leading the church biblically, church members should submit to their wisdom, counsel, and instruction.
6. Evangelize the Lost
This is the mission of every Church and if not being done needs to be examined as to why and corrective change course.
The Role of Deacon
The Role of Deacon
Stephen and this role of Deacon will again speak more of in the coming week. Deacons are critical to the physical well being of the church.
The Apostles heard and knew the complaints of not meeting the physical needs of the body were true. In the providence of God, he equipped the Elders of the church in common congregational approval to appoint the office of Deacon.
Deacons are members of the church, (depending on the congregation and even denomination Pastors may or may not be members of the church) Deacons are members of the church and it is an ordained office.
Their role is the physical care of the church and her members. This includes the management of property, bringing meals to the sick, calling the Pastor attention to a spiritual need that arises. Etc.
If it is physical in nature, the Deacon needs to be over it. This is not to say a Deacon is absent of sharing the word. Remember evangelizing the lost is the mission of the church.
Let me state this the debate of female deacons is on going church history. As Southern Baptist we hold to a complimentarian doctrine of the family, we hold to males in the office of Deacon and Elder Only. This is not for debate at Waughtown Baptist Church. Men are the only ones who will hold the office of Deacon of Elder.
The Office of Elder
The Office of Elder
Elders are for the word and prayer. The misconception that Pastors are the CEO of the church is very flawed. There is no CEO of the church, there is the head which is Christ and then everything else.
Pastors are to teach the word faithfully, be praying for the church, and giving Pastoral counsel, not mental health counseling.
The Pastor is not a mental health counselor, the Pastor is not the Deacon, and again depending on the by-laws of the church may or may not be a member of the church. Either way they must shepherd the fold of the congregation pointing them to Christ and the mission of the Church.
This is also a warning I have for members with their Pastor. Your Pastor rather it is me or someone else is called to Pastor. This means calling out sin, challenging traditions to meet scripture, moving the body of Christ to be equipped for ministry, fighting for the purity of the Church through church discipline. Changing directions in the church. (this is why if your not ready to submit to Church eldership or that particularity Pastor, it is best to leave or not join)
Your Pastor has a specific role of word and prayer and is on spiritual ground of war day in and day out. I say this with all respect Pastors are friendly, but they can not be your best friend. They must be Pastors and that is a hard calling.
When I was a teen, my Dad said the best thing to me. He said son, I am not your friend I am your Dad. Now that is far greater than a friend but my Dad has a duty to protect his family not be their best friend. He is provider, protector, the first and the last spiritual guide, He is the head of the home. He is Dad.
In the same way congregation, I am your Pastor and that is greater than a friend.
Qualifications of Elders and Deacons
Qualifications of Elders and Deacons
Read 1 Timothy 3 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives b…”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Lead into why we are doing an ordination today, how this is the purpose of Christ to lead us Christ’s mission on earth.