Administration Foundational Truths God’s Structure for Growth – Ephesians 4:1-16 God is a God of order , yet a God of great creativity and desires that His church manifest His nature. • Everything God created has structure . • His structures are designed to enhance growth and reproduction. Structure can limit or enhance growth. • A structure is only as good as its individual parts. Word pictures God uses to teach how the church is to operate: body , family , and flock .
His Church as a Body ( I Corinthians 10:17; 12:1-31; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:1-16; Colossians 1:18, 24 ) • There are leaders . One primary leader – The Head is Christ; multiple secondary leaders, pastors/leaders/elders, always a plurality but usually an evident “ first among equals .” • There are many different members . • Every member is gifted and important. • The leader’s job is to help each member do his/her job with excellence and effectiveness. • Key to body life: Everyone gives up control . Leaders have to give up control of the ministry and members give up control of the management . • Each one must appreciate and cooperate with others. • There must be unity or the body is crippled.
His Church as a Body What are some things that cause division in the body? • Unhealthy practices unbiblical practices. What do all of these things have in common? • Voting, Boards, Chairman, Committees, Majority rule, Parliamentary procedures, Elections, Ballots, Business meetings, Democracy, Corporate officers, Church constitutions….. • None of the above are ever mentioned in the Bible .
His Church As a Body The Democratic method of church government: • Is based on an American model more than a biblical model. • Operates on the basis of Competition ; not maturity, giftedness, and completion. • Functions by the process of voting, which is not biblical and promotes two disastrous results for the body; somebody always loses and improper empowerment . Unhealthy practices lead to: unhealthy attitudes ; which lead to unhealthy relationships ; which lead to unhealthy disability.
His Church Is a Family We are a household of faith : (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; I Corinthians 4:15; I Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 2:10-12; I Peter 4:17; I John 2:13-14) • There are spiritual fathers , mothers, and children in the family. • Relationships are paramount. • Mother and Father are to develop the children through loving care , protection and training .
His Church Is a Flock Christ’s favorite term for his followers: (Matthew 26:31; John 10:1-30; John 21:16-17; Acts 20:28-29; I Peter 5:2-3) • It is to be led by shepherds . • Shepherds are responsible to feed, lead, oversee, and guard! • The Shepherds must give HUMBLE, DECISIVE oversight . • The members of the flock must give humble gracious followship .
His Church Is a Flock A church should then: • Implement a simple structure that minimizes rules and maximizes godly relationships on all levels. • Maintain a structure that minimizes the potential for conflict and division and maximizes the potential for growth . • Can structure for control or growth but not for both . • Checks and balances for governance. • Be led by godly spiritual fathers who do the following: feed, equip, lead, pray, oversee, and protect.
Results: • Leaders can give wise stable leadership that leads and equips the body! • Members can be freed to minister! • The unchurched can see and feel Christ and be drawn to Him! • The church grows!
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