Who rules the local church? 
Pastor, deacons, people, board, elders or who?

Part 2

by Missionary David R Cox

God has given pastors to God's people to oversee, care for, and rule over them

KJV Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

What exactly does this verse mean if it doesn't mean that God gives spiritual shepherds (pastors) to minister to the people of God? This is God's will, and none other can be accepted. I will wholeheartedly agree that many a modern day pastor has not a clue to what he is doing, and a number of them are abusive, mean, undesirable, and probably even unsaved men. Some of them are very spiritual, godly men. But can we disqualify all men from being pastors and abandon the entire construction of God about this point simply because some of them are bad? I argue no. The answer to this problem is to return to the Word of God, follow what it says, and if a man enters into a pastorate and does not obey God, he should be removed, voluntarily if he will, if not then forcibly by the godly men of that church.

Careful with abuse of authority - Before we look at the biblical evidence for the ministry of pastors, we need to put forth some warnings. God sees His people as His cherished possession (His "beloved" or "darling"). Just because a man of God has a ministry of ruling does not mean that he is free to do as he pleases. He must study diligently what God has given him to do (his responsibility) and abide by the guidelines and commands that God has put forth relating to that responsibility. No one should take authority lightly, even less when dealing with God and His most cherished possession. Abuse of authority rallies a fierce antagonist rebuke from God against the one abusing His flock.

KJV Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

These two verses of Scripture clearly declare some points that clarify here. 

  • First of all, God has definitely placed some people within the local church in a position of authority ("ruling" to command with official authority, to lead). We note as a footnote here that in both passages the ruling people are in the plural. 

This would make certain forms of Congregational government (the church is a pure democracy where everybody has one vote and that is the final decision) unbiblical. We are not all equals and the majority rules. In fact, the majority is usually always wrong, not right. We long back at Israel and their conflicts with Moses and the prophets and we see that even within the people of God, the majority was often wrong instead of standing for what is right. God calls men of God who are willing to risk their own safety, security (financial and even life), and prestige in order to correct what is wrong, and keep God's people in the right. Because of this risky task, it is correct to "reward" these men with economic benefits (a living, a just wage, esteem).

This also makes the Brethren leadership model unscriptural. Their concept is similar except all the "spiritual men" in a local church share the responsibility jointly with a definite statement that "no man is teacher, master, or leader". 

  • We are to submit ourselves to those who are in the rule over us. This word is to surrender. The idea here is not to make your own plans of how the church or ministry is to be run, but to surrender your plans and preferences to the ones in charge. They in turn cannot make their own plans the rule either but must follow God's plan. We are all under God's rule.

God has somebody in charge. At this point we note that there is somebody in the local church with authority from God and with "the plan". This means somebody who knows what we should do (end goal - the work of God), and how we should do it (methodology - how to achieve the end goal). Where he gets "the plan" is from the Word of God. There may be personal aspects particular to each church and leader set, but the plan should come from God through His Word being studied and understood by the leaders of that church. It is extremely important that we do not usurp the authority of our leaders, as in the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16) to usurp Moses authority. 

Desiring the office of oversight. If a person wants to enter into the leadership group of a local church, there is a form or way to do so, and there is an invalid way of doing so which brings down the wrath of God upon you. To be legitimate, church leaders must first fully qualify according to the Bible requirements, then be called by God, and finally they must be acknowledged by the appropriate local church procedure. We note in 1 Timothy 3:1, that it is a good thing that a man desire the office of bishop (spiritual oversight of a local church).

We also note that when a church leader has to give God a poor "report card" for you as a member, that "it is not profitable for you". Apparently God will take away blessings or rewards from you depending on your personal relationship, support, and activity in your church. You may choose which church to belong to, but you have to be submissive (obedient in some degree) to that church and the leadership of that church.

  • Leadership has requirements as a part of the divine plan. We are to obey our leaders considering the end of their conversation (life conduct). In other words, the leaders of a local church are given by God so that the people will have visible, tangible examples of people who are correctly living the Christian life. This dovetails with many things. The requirements of pastor in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are not just requirements for church office. They are a picture of what the man of God should be, thus i.e., they are the model or example for all Christians, and each point becomes binding and obligatory on each Christian in the church. This is God's plan, that what the people of God SHOULD BE, the pastor IS. The pastor must fulfill these points BEFORE he enters that office. If he does not have a victorious Christian life, then he should not be pastor. Moreover the church should not hope this is so, but he should already have a proven track record of living the victorious Christian life.

Our Spiritual Example. From a member's point of view, if you cannot say, "I would like to have the spiritual life of my pastor", then something is wrong. If he is a liar, a crook, dishonest, abusive (not meek and humble like Christ), proud, arrogant, uncaring for the "little people", then he should not be in a place of leadership. If he remains in leadership with those kinds of character flaws, then the member should move to another church. God makes no requirements that a church has to have big buildings, wonderful children's programs, great musicians, or any other thing that Christians chase after when they go church hopping, but God does require that the leadership comply with the requirements God has set forth. This is a screwed up priority in most Christians' minds and thinking today, and common practice is far from what the Bible commands. 

God's design is that church members deliberately pattern their lives after the example of those that rule over them. That means specifically that the leaders should be very active in church visitation and evangelism (examples), and they should have their personal lives in order and exemplary (not divorced, not abusive to wife or kids, not a disaster personality or character wise). 

  • Leadership involves "watch care" over the flock, and there will be accountings (both rulers and individual members). This is very important. God laments in many places the fact that His people are like sheep with no shepherd. Those who would totally wipe the concept of pastor from the pages of Scripture are in fact opposing God. God's desire is not that everybody is independent, "doing their own thing", but rather under the watch care of spiritual men of God. Moreover on a personal level, the men in the leadership of a local church will have to answer to God one day for the spiritual state of each person in that church.

  • Membership list - a definite identification of those under the watch care. We also note here that this means that there needs to be a very definite membership list (list of members, definite entering on this list, and leaving this list) so that those who are in the watch care over these people can easily know who they are responsible for and who they are not responsible for (but perhaps can help). First priority of time, energy and resources goes to those under their responsibility, care,  and authority. This obligates the leaders to care for those under their "watch care". It also means that something is incorrect in big churches where people can be "anonymous" (come and skip as they please without anybody noticing - Heb 10:25). There must be a counting of every member, with pastoral visitation (to see what is wrong in their spiritual life and fix it) for each sheep in the fold.

KJV 1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

  • There is a plurality of oversight. First of all, this passage clearly puts the exhortation to "the elders which are among you". The Bible uses the terms "bishop", "elder", and "pastor" almost interchangeably. The presence of more than one person in the oversight of a local church is assumed. This does not define the relationship between these people though. "Elders" technically refers not to the office, but to the character quality of the person (complies completely with 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1). "Oversight" refers to the office of oversight, the bishop. In any church of any size, a smart pastor will readily accept and seek to have an "inner circle" of godly men who will support him in the leadership of the church. Some call them deacons, others elders, others have deacons and assistant pastors. But it is a given that whoever is the leader of the church will establish godly men to be part of the leadership with him. The problem is in how the relationship between the chief leader (some want to call him an elder instead of pastor) and the rest of the leadership/oversight team plays out as well as how they relate to the rest of the church in general.

  • Oversight is a voluntary calling. This passage clearly places the condition of personal choice on the ministry of oversight. Nobody can be forced into participating in the oversight of a church unless that person decides of his own to undertake the calling. Who would try to force this on the men of the church? In some churches where there is no pastor, and the "spiritual men" of the church take on the oversight and preaching responsibilities, and there is a compulsion on them to participate. (Especially in brethren type churches.)

  • God ordained leaders use the power of a godly, exemplary life instead of force. This passage presses upon the "formula" for church government that it have a pastor (spiritual caretaker) in oversight. When we talk about church government and church leaders, we need to go beyond the surface and look deeper. God has in the church situation certain considerations that go beyond what any business or civil government would require. The leaders have to have moral requirements, but beyond that, their "style" of leadership is actually another requirement. They must rule by being the correct example. They are not to "lord" over the church. The idea of "lord" is to "lord against, control, subjugate, overcome". So the leadership of the church is not to force the church into doing what is right, but he is to "lead" them by going before them, showing them the road, and using the power of a godly example to help others in the church to walk after Christ. 

The overbearing, demanding pastor has no place in church leadership. Rather the pastor is one who he himself lives the godly life, and through the convicting arguments of the Scripture and his personal testimony, he persuades others in the church to do what every Christian should do.

  • Church leadership is an office and a gift. We should note that God mentions a number of spiritual gifts that God gives to the local church. But in none of these spiritual gifts are there requirements placed on their exercise (a requirement is something that has to be in place before something else happens). Yet in two cases we do see a very definite list of requirements being imposed, these are in 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1, concerning the office of bishop and deacon. Bishop simply means overseer, and deacon simply means servant.

Both of these positions, bishop and deacon, are public church figures. The overseer is the one who officiates the church services, guiding them as the order and content of the services. He also explains the Word of God, choosing what and where to study for each service. The deacon is a servant (like all Christians), but his activity is in an official capacity like the official distribute to the widows (Acts 6). Because they are officially representing the entire church while they are publicly serving, then they have requirements laid on them. The fact of requirements make their function a church office, or officer. We should also understand that within the service, those who are officially representing the church (ushers, and others serving publicly in an official capacity such as singers, choir, etc) should have a spotless testimony.

Additional Study: Pastor-Elder-Bishop, what's the difference?

 

 

KJV 1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

  • Obedient Christians are to be submissive to those Christian servants who have an "addiction" to serving the saints. (The word "addiction" is the Greek "tasso" - to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):--addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set.). Paul tells the Corinthians that their loyalties lie to those men who are orderly determined, fulfilling the ministry as something which both they are ordained or appointed by God to do, and that they do so through a detailed, extensive ordering of their lives and that ministry. Fly by night leaders who only dedicate half an effort to the Lord's work are not the kind of people God wants as leaders, and God directs us to only submit to those who are sincere, honest, and willing to dedicate their entire life and energy to it as an obsession, a deep passion, and as a drug addict will think little else than his drug, so the good pastor must exclude much other "good" things from his life to dedicate his life to the "best" thing.

  • Oversight of the local church (God's flock) is a full-time employment. There are those (e.g. Brethren) who would argue that a full time pastor is both unnecessary and just wrong, not being the New Testament example. This is just not the case. An examination of the verses bearing on this issue are necessary.

Every man should live of the fruit of his hands. We begin by reviewing the simple teaching of Scripture that every man falling under Adam's curse has to live of the sweat of his brow. Those who are do not, or are not readily willing to work (lazy, slothful), are defying God's command, and they are trying to work against God.

KJV Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Simply put every man must live (pay his bills of living, food, clothing, rent, etc) from the thing that he does. There are very little exceptions, most charity type things for widows, orphans, and the sick that cannot provide for themselves. Those who work in the Lord's work are no different. The job of the pastor is to preach, teach, and take spiritual care of the church. In return for doing this (as an addiction), the pastor is to receive a just salary.

KJV Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

The workman is worthy of his meat. The context of this command is Christ sending out the disciples on a missionary journey. The principle that God gives us is that when a man dedicates himself to the work of God, then he should receive economic recompense FROM THE PEOPLE HE IS MINISTERING TO! The modern idea of every ministry under the sun getting support from people that are not directly under that ministry is in gross error. If ministries would confide themselves to the biblical example, i.e. God's men went into evangelism to start a local church of the converts of that evangelistic effort. Evangelism is a part of the work plan of a local church. You don't "farm it out", you do it yourself.

KJV Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Those receiving teaching from a man should economically support that man. This passage clearly states that God's principle here is that those who are in the teaching - preaching aspect of the ministry in a local church (the pastor that feeds his sheep with spiritual food) should dedicate themselves wholly to the ministry (not pursuing other employments or activities to support themselves, and that those who sit under that man's ministry should economically support him.

Jews, synagogues, and tithing. The Jews found it necessary for their teachers to be dispersed among their people wherever they were to be found, much in the same way churches are dispersed across the nations today. The Jews would form a synagogue (a teaching and activity center) anywhere they could muster 10 income earning Jews in an area. They would then call a rabbi (a teacher), and they would each give the Old Testament standard of a tenth of their income (a tithe). The rabbi received an average of what the people in his synagogue had as income. Each of the families would then get together, buy a piece of property, each donate time, energy, effort, and money to buy the raw materials and construct a synagogue. The rabbi's tithe went to pay for incidentals. This is totally possible, and is a good example to follow.

Preachers who donate their time. God has a plan to follow. If we do not follow God's plan, it is because we are just disobedient, or we are so arrogant as to think we can come up with a better plan. Some preachers donate their time, preaching for no remuneration. First of all, this is simply against God's commands. If a church does this, or a preacher refuses to receive income from those sitting under his teaching, they are not following the biblical plan. As noble as many of these men are, what actually happens is that they do not tend to their sheep as a full time person would. (Here we can also rebuke many full time pastors for receiving pay and not doing a just amount of work for what they receive.) A pastor who does not dedicate his time and energies full time into the ministry, just does not do as good a job as he could.

Some preachers also think they can do the ministry and have time left over to work another job. This is just not right. If these preachers would spend serious time in the Word of God, in prayer, and in evangelism, there is no time left over. Somewhere in there we wedge in our families, but there is not any time for other such things.

Part-time preacher, part-time worker. There are some pastors in churches that are small and do not have sufficient income to pay a regular salary to their pastor. This is understandable in starting a new church. But once there are 10 wage earning members (that are also tithing), the pastor should shortly be looking to quitting his day job. We are to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). This includes teaching God's people their obligation to sustain the work of God where they are. Some may react to tithing by saying it is an Old Testament law concept, but Abraham gave a tithe before the law came. Actually I do not believe in the tithe either. It was given as a guideline for the Old Testament saints, living under the law. What God demands under law, God demands much more under grace. Therefore the tithe is just not enough for people living under grace. 

Part of the problem with many preachers who do not want to quit a secular job is that they worry about how they will live. Some good Christians should help them out with special "abundantly generous" gifts from time to time so that they won't have to worry, but that is not the norm in our day. In the end analysis, it is a matter of not having faith in God, that He will provide all our needs (not wants and luxuries, but needs). God's rules work. If a preacher will teach what the Bible says, and trust God, God will bring in what is needed (and usually more).

Paul's tent making. Some who just do not want to sacrifice and "risk" their economic welfare for the Lord use Paul's tent-making as an excuse or justification for working a secular job. Paul mentions in Acts 18:3 that he stayed with brethren that were tentmaker and labored beside them. Paul's situation was that he was a missionary, and he did this at Corinth. The Corinthian church was one of the least spiritual churches, and they even went so far as to deny Paul the opportunity to preach in Corinth without letters of recommendation (2 Corinthians 3:1) from them giving him permission. Paul rebukes them explaining clearly God's will in 1 Corinthians 9 (we will discuss this below). Paul further rebukes them in 1 Corinthians 4:12 making mention that he had to work with his own hands because the Corinthian church (a church plant founded by the Apostle Paul) would not abide by God's rules (Galatians 6:6). We would also note that Paul has a rather long discourse on giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9, which would seem to be necessary given the overall spiritual temperament of the Corinthian church.

Paul also makes mention of this in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 3:8. Again we examine the church Paul did this in, and there was a very important point Paul made by working a secular job. The Philippians had brethren that on hearing of the second coming of Christ, they sold everything they had and went up on a hill to wait Christ. When their food ran out and they got hungry, they began begging among the brethren for their daily bread (a violation of God's principles). Paul puts forth God's principle, if you do not work, you should not eat. So these brethren either needed to go back to work, or the rest of the church should just ignore their economic crisis. In order to enforce this point of every man living from the fruit of his own hands, apparently Paul worked physical labor among them. This is because this church apparently was messed up like the Corinthian church.

KJV Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul likewise mentions this working to the elders in Ephesus in his charge to them. The entire point of all of this is that preachers do not "charge up front" for their services. God's wonderful design is that everything the church offer's is free, especially to those who are new. As a person hears and learns the will of God, God's men teach the all the counsel of God, including how church members are obligated by God to support those who minister the word to them. As they grow spiritually they begin to take part in the economic obligations of that ministry, giving a tithe and beyond (offerings).  Paul's ministry was not a normal ministry in that he was a missionary, receiving economic support from churches he had established (Philippians 4:10-19). But the principles that Paul taught in this matter was clearly that the church that receives spiritual food from a man of God should cooperate economically (a salary or wage) for what he does.

 KJV 1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Plowing in hope. The first point of Paul's discourse here is to point out a principle of God, that it is unjust and wrong for a person to work of something and not to receive part of the fruit of that labor. The idea of "hope" (an expectation of receiving a return or benefit on something). Some would think that all the minister's rewards will be when we get to heaven, but here the principle of God is that here on this earth, the minister of the gospel should live of his work in the gospel. There should be a remuneration, just and equivalent to what he does, for his labor in the Lord's work.

God's command: Preach the gospel, live of the same. God clearly states here the working principle. A minister is supposed to be living of gospel. His principle income (salary) from which he lives has to come from the ministry, and from the ministry where he is putting his energy, effort, and labor. Missionaries would appear to be the only exception, but we note that Paul the missionary is the one teaching this in a church plant that was stubborn to accept it.

KJV 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Pastors that labor well should receive more than others. Paul reiterates this principle to Timothy to teach in the churches he is preaching in. If we take verse 17 alone, we might consider this "double honour" as just a lot of "esteem" and "respect". But Paul further elaborates with verse 18, which clearly is an parallel to 1 Corinthians 9. "Worthy" in both verses has the idea of "deemed entitled to", "deserving, suitable." It is our obligation to give these men what they deserve. The word "reward" is "mithos", pay for service, hire, wages. Here we see clearly that those who "rule" (stand before, preside) are to be the ones who are to be paid. 

KJV 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

KJV Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

KJV 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

The Balance of God. God's requirements for oversight include not being covetous. Quite simply, God has placed a wonderful balance on all of this. The man of God is to live happily on what those he labors to can give him. He is not to demand and excise his wages from them. He is not to be covetous of what others have. He has to be a stellar example of this in his own life. At the same time, the people of God have an obligation to sacrifice to support those men of God laboring among them. If we seek the balance that God has placed in all of this, everything will work out correctly.

Disqualification of a greedy preacher. Quite frankly, God has given us requirements to protect us from evil and wicked men. The pastor or preacher who comes to a church with his eye on the purse is disqualified from the ministry. Likewise the church that refuses to give a just wage, even double honor, to their pastor, there is something wrong with them.

How to fix what is wrong. First of all, if a church has a disqualified pastor, they must take the difficult road of confrontation, and if he does not correct what is wrong, they must remove him. If they cannot, then they should leave that church and support another, or start another church. If the church is wrong, then there is a guide marked by God. The pastor (shepherd of the sheep) is the person that fixes whatever is wrong, whatever it may be. Not only does the pastor fix what is wrong, he fixes what is wrong by the preaching of the word of God. This is how God has indicated that he is to influence, guide, and correct what is deficient in the church. It is by his godly example and his preaching all the counsel of God that things change. Perhaps we should not forget here that there is a lot of praying and fighting Satan in the prayer closet also.

call no man master
plurality of elders
singleness of leader
epistles written to members, not leaders
plurality of deacons and single pastor
requirements for leaders
he must rule until he puts down all enemies last chapter of 1 Cor
Acts 20:17

Last Updated on 02/02/08

Visits to this page Contador de visitas a la página