LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY CLASS 6
MIN
201 - INSTRUCTOR: LEN BALLENGER
MINISTRY OF ELDERS AND DEACONS
I. The Structure of the Church
A. The
Church: Ekklesia [Ephesians
1. From Ek meaning out of and Kaleo meaning to call or chose
2. God the Father calls: We are the called
B. Important issues of the New Testament Church
1. Jesus is the head
2. Jesus gives delegated authority through government
- Five-fold gifts, Elders, Deacons, Support Ministry
3. Team Ministry
4. Reproduction
5. Self-Governing
C. New Testament Church Leadership Structure Development
1. Apostles founded the leadership for church beginning at Pentecost [Acts 2]
2. Elders established first at church in
3. Deacons created to relieve need for administration [Acts 6:5-7]
4. Elders appointed in every church [Acts
5. Church Governed, Built and Sent to the earth.
II. Types of Church Government Structures in Todays Churches
A. Episcopal
1. Catholic,
Anglican, Episcopalian, Methodist, Lutheran,
2. Title indicates level of authority - Bishop, Overseer, Superintendent
B. Presbyterian
1. Presbyterian, Pentecostal Holiness, Many Non-Denominational Churches
2. Authority rests upon Presbytery
3. Elders over congregation Elders equal authority with pastor
C. Congregational
1. Baptist,
Assemblies of God,
2. Authority delegated and maintained by congregation (electoral)
3. Originated
with birth of
D. Independent
1. One man authority with council of Elders
2. Based on Jethro Principle (Mosaic Government)
III. Characteristics of Leading through Eldership
A. Plurality
(Team Ministry) [James
B. Qualification of Elders [I Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9]
C. Discipline
of Elders [I Tim.
D. Women Elders? -- [Titus 2:1-3, I Timothy 2:11-15]
IV.
The Called and the
A. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1. Service in Ministry should be from the heart rather than for the reward.
2. God is not fair, but He is GOOD and He is JUST.
B. Many are called
1. Everyone is called to build the church - (Like the field workers)
2. Believers must seek out their calling - (The church is barren of faithful men)
C. Few are Chosen
1. Willingness to learn and work.
2. Attitude of a bondservant
3. Character built on the qualification of Spiritual Leaders (I Tim. 3)
V. Three Greek Terms
A. Presbuteros - Person of dignity, wisdom, and maturity [I Pet. 5:1]
1. Idea from governmental form of the council of the Sanhedrin
Literally reference to maturity in age Implies Spiritual Maturity
2. New Testament uses the terms bishop, elder, and overseer interchangeably
B. Episkopos - Overseer, Charged with a duty, Leader of a Christian Church [I Tim.3:1]
1. From Epi: over, into - and - skopos: to peer about, observe.
2. Used interchangeably with above, but is used more often when referring the
church. Implies permanent leadership - Ministering Elder or Set Man
C. Diakoneo - A servant, attendant, minister [I Tim. 3:8]
1. An office created for administrative needs in the New Testament
2. A leadership office that supports the needs of the church and carries out the
issues of the Elders
VI. What is a Deacon? [refer to handout]
A. A deacon is a Leader
1. Traditionally thought of as a helps ministry: Mistaken identity
2. Similar requirements as an Elder
3. Many times carries as much or more responsibility as an Elder
B. A deacon is a Minister
1. Should understand and operate in gifts
2. People focused ministry
3. Deacon anointing seen in Stephen and Philip (Acts 6, 7, and 8)
C. A deacon is an Administrator
1. Oversees and administrates a definable area.
2. Carries out the work of the church
D. A deacon sees a Focused Picture of the Church
ELDER = Big Picture DEACON = Tunnel Vision
VII. Relationships in Leadership and the Church - Romans 12
QUALIFICATIONS OF LEADERSHIP
20 Scriptural Expectations for Leaders
How we represent God
Taken from 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-16
An elder of the church maintains a blameless life before God and others his life is just, holy, and disciplined, a life that cannot be spoken against.
An elder of the church remains faithful to his/her spouse He/She loves and honors her/him by lifestyle and example.
An elder of the church maintains a self-controlled temperament. He is not quick-tempered or unruly in his reactions and responses.
An elder of the church is sober-minded with a lifestyle marked by wisdom and prudence.
An elder of the church resists evil behavior and pursues good behavior in all areas of his life whether seen or unseen he maintains a good reputation that will bring honor to his church, his family, and his own testimony.
An elder of the church is hospitable, a lover of strangers, and charitable he welcomes people into his home and provides whatever he is able to bless others.
An elder of the church is capable of teaching his delight and passion is to instruct the unlearned with the knowledge of truth.
An elder of the church is not obsessed with alcohol or other intoxicating substance he receives everything in moderation and is not given to a gluttonous or excessive lifestyle.
An elder of the church is not violent he does not respond with uncontrolled, violent aggression, but with patience and understanding in all situations.
An elder of the church is not greedy he does not use base and unjustifiable means to gain wealth or manipulate others to increase revenues.
An elder of the church is a peacemaker he brings security and peace to situations and circumstances that are in confusion through a steadfast and gentle response.
An elder of the church is not quarrelsome or argumentative although he may be bold in spirit, he does not contend for his own way, but listens and responds in wisdom through meekness and patience.
An elder of the church is not covetous he does not lust to attain power or profit nor does he desire a position of authority for the sake of gain. He must not look down upon others and base his heart or attitudes upon comparisons with others.
An elder governs and manages his own house well he keeps all financial and personal matters in order as an example of his ability to lead in the House of God.
An elder has children who are submissive, respectful, and obedient he is able to bring loving, effective guidance to both natural and spiritual children without excessive sternness or severity.
An elder is not a novice he is not a young believer, but one of considerable standing in the church, who has proven himself, and who may be safely trusted with the government of that church.
An elder maintains a good testimony in the community he must keep up a good reputation in character and integrity before those who are not believers so they will not be turned away from Christ because of hypocritical leadership.
An elder is not self-willed or arrogant he lives in willful submission to others, not having an unyielding, unteachable, impatient, or dogmatic attitude.
An elder is faithful to the Holy Scriptures and doctrines of the church he is firm in his faith and one who can be relied on to maintain and defend that faith in all circumstances.
An elder is able to by sound doctrine to exhort and convict those who disagree with or oppose truth his mature understanding of the church enables him to convince, persuade, and influence others through his words and example.