God’s Plan for Church Government
Titus 1:5-9 | God’s Plan for Church Government
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Slides:
What does the Bible say about the structure of church government?
Observations from Titus 1:5-9:
1. Elders are a means of producing order in the church.
2. An elder is a man of spiritual maturity.
3. Not unbiblical or unusual for 1 man to be granted great authority in church.
4. It appears that the Elder/overseer/pastor is one office, not three.
5. The primary qualifications for an elder are based on character, not competency.
Some questions…
• What’s the command here? Is there a required structure?
• How many elders? How many churches? How many elders in each church?
• Who’s in charge? Is there a vote? Who gets a vote? Can a primary leader make a decision?
• Are all elders also overseers? Are all overseers pastor/teachers? Do all leaders have the same authority?
3 basic forms of church government:
1. Congregational
2. Plurality of elders
3. Pastor-led
There is an appropriate exercise of authority through church leadership.
Hebrews 13:17
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.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Luke 22:24-26
And there arose also a dispute among them [as to] which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26 "But [it is] not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
1 Timothy 2:12-13
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, [and] then Eve.
What are the differences between elders and deacons?
• Elders teach and rule (exercise authority).
• Deacons serve the Body and the vision of the elders.
Acts 6:1-3, 6
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.] 2 So 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. 3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. ... 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 20:17, 28
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. ... 28 "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.
What does the Bible say about the structure of church government?
3 basic forms of church government:
1. Congregational
2. Plurality of elders
3. Pastor-led
How does the structure of church leadership work at The Chapel?
In any form of church government, Jesus is the true head of the church!
Colossians 1:18
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
Ephesians 5:23-24
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself [being] the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives [ought to be] to their husbands in everything.