Who Runs Your Church?

Chuck Webster

Organization is the Key

•Every area of life (sports teams, clubs, schools, businesses, etc.) must have organization.

•SOMEONE is in charge!

•If not, there would be chaos.

1. God has organized His church into local congregations.

•There is no structure above the local congregation in the Bible.

•Jesus is Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23), not a man or men.

•While congregations work together, one congregation cannot tell another what to do.

2. God has ordained elders to lead the local church.

•Not a “pastor” system, as in denominationalism.

•Elders, bishops (overseers), pastors (shepherds), presbyters (older with authority).

•They are to lead by example, teaching, decision-making and discipline.

3. God has established qualifications 3. God has established qualifications that elders must meet. (pages 38-39)that elders must meet. (pages 38-39)

Obedience in personal mattersObedience in personal matters Positive relationship with othersPositive relationship with others Example in avoiding sinExample in avoiding sin Leader of his familyLeader of his family Experienced ChristianExperienced Christian Well-respected, even by non-Well-respected, even by non-

ChristiansChristians

4. God has ordained deacons to serve the local church.

•“Deacon” means “servant.” While every Christian should serve, these men are special.

•They help take care of the day-to-day needs of the church, so the elders can have their minds free to take care of heavy matters.

•Are not “on their own,” though. Must be under the elders rule.

5. God has established qualifications 5. God has established qualifications that deacons must meet. (pages 39-40)that deacons must meet. (pages 39-40)

A model of obedience to ChristA model of obedience to Christ Faith must have been tested and Faith must have been tested and

provenproven Effectively lead his homeEffectively lead his home

6. God has given preachers an important position in the local church.•Preachers don’t “run the church.” They don’t “have a church.”

•BUT, God has always used the preaching of His Word as the way to teach others.

•Must serve under the elders.

•Must proclaim the truth and ALL the truth.

So…Who Runs Your Church?If Organized the Way God Wants…

•God and Jesus do!

•Elders make decisions for local congregations by the Bible.

•Deacons serve

•Preachers spread the Word.

•Every Christian works.