Organizational Structures The church of Christ Organizational Structures

Organization Is Important How the church is organized is of vital importance to her function and holiness. Local congregations must organize themselves according to New Testament plans or cease to be the church. Many denominations exist with little or no thought toward meeting New Testament structures for the Lord’s church. Let’s consider the Bible plan for leadership.

Christ’s Plan For Leadership Christ did not leave churches to their own devices when it comes to leadership. The New Testament has clear guides and requirements for church structure, especially as it concerns leadership.

Supreme Headship Of God and Christ 1 Corinthians 11:3 – But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Ephesians 5:23 – For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

Concerning Elders There are to be elders (plural) in every church. Acts 14:23 –When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Titus 1:5 -- For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you

What Are Elders To Do? Part of their function is reflected in the Bible names used to describe them POIMEN = SHEPHERDS EPISKOPOS = ELDERS PRESBUTEROS = OVERSEERS The New Testament uses these three words to speak of the same group of men -- the elders of a local church.

Descriptive Verses For Shepherds Acts 20:17, 28 –From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church….Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 1 Peter 5:1-2 –Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness….

Verses Concerning Elders Ephesians 4:11 -- And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers…. Acts 20:28 – Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Elders are to match their name – older, mature, men of great character.

Elders as Overseers 1 Peter 5:1-3 -- Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

Qualifications For Elders 1 Timothy 3:1-7 --It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick- tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Elders Are Always A Plurality Acts 14:23 – When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. James 5:14 – Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 1 Peter 5:5 – You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Elders Have Oversight Over A Single Church Acts 20:28 --Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 1 Peter 5:2 -- shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Concerning Deacons Deacons are servant/leaders Acts 6:1-6 –Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task….

Concerning Deacons But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Deacons Must Meet Qualifications 1 Timothy 3:8-12 --Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

Good Deacons Worthy Of Honor 1 Timothy 3:13 -- For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Concerning Members Even members are organized according to purpose. As the saints 1 Corinthians 1:2 –To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Philippians 1:1 -- Paul and Timothy, bond- servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons….

To Be Holy [Saints] And Serve God As teachers, preachers, servants Romans 12:6-8 -- Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

All members take heed 1 Tim. 4:16 – Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. Acts 20:28 -- Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.