What does the new testament have to say about the very important subject of church leadership??? (Do churches today tend to go by the word of God in this area?)
The Bible present two main titles - Pastor or Shepherd/Elder/Overseer (all titles for the same office and not necessarily used in that order Biblically) and Deacon.
What are some key things to remember about deacons???
Act 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples were multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
This is widely held to be the first Biblical reference to deacons. ('The law of first mention' is an helpful thing to remember in Bible study.) How many deacons today are men of this level of Christian maturity? Much might change for the better in a great many churches if only men who were full of wisdom and truly full of the Holy Spirit were serving as deacons. Do we find deacons running things in this text from the book of Acts? We seem to find them taking care of physical labor and entrusted with some financial distribution in order to free up time for another group of men in the church who are in a position of oversight. Is there any place in the Bible that speaks of deacons having any kind of a church leadership (i.e. church government)position? Not that I am aware of.
1Ti 3:8 Likewise the deacons must be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1Ti 3:11 Even so their wives must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The type of men who God considers deacons are men of outstanding Christian character who rule their houses well. Perhaps some men ought to step down from being deacons, at least until they clearly meet the qualifications that are found in these portions of God's own word.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment