Church Government... designed by God, for God and His People

Government and politics, like two prongs of a horn, have been at the forefront of human existence since the beginning of time.  Mostly in modern times, the two have not performed as advertised, and certainly not as people hope for.

That would appear to be the situation in 2016.  High in everyone’s mind these days, are the two candidates representing their respective political parties, each hoping to govern the United States of America.  Seems only reasonable that two such people would be of stellar character, imbued with an abundance of credibility, trustworthiness, skills and qualifications to do the job they’re being elected to do.  Not the case... based on the evidence of conduct and behavior.

Thankfully, God did not leave His church, the body of Christ, in such uncertainty when it was born and would need to be governed to carry out its mission of proclaiming the gospel.  The Lord was very clear in His Word the Bible about how He wishes His church on earth to be organized and managed. 

First, Christ is the head of the church and its supreme authority (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18). Second, the local church is to be autonomous, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). Third, the church is to be governed by spiritual leadership consisting of two main offices—elders and deacons. 

“Elders” were a leading body among the Israelites since the time of Moses. We find them making political decisions (2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 17:4, 15), advising the kings of Israel in later history (1 Kings 20:7), and representing the people concerning spiritual matters (Exodus 7:17; 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:16, 24-25). The early Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, used the Greek word presbuteros for “elder.” This is the same Greek word used in the New Testament that is also translated “elder.”

The New Testament refers a number of times to elders who served in the role of church leadership (Acts 14:23, 15:2, 20:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14) and apparently each church had more than one, as the word is usually found in the plural. The only exceptions refer to cases in which one elder is being singled out for some reason (1 Timothy 5:1, 19). In the Jerusalem church, elders were part of the leadership along with the apostles (Acts 15:2-16:4).

It seems that the position of elder was equal to the position of episkopos, translated “overseer” or “bishop” (Acts 11:30; 1 Timothy 5:17). The term “elder” may refer to the dignity of the office, who a man is within the governance of a congregation, while the term “bishop/overseer” describes the authority and duties fo said elder (1 Peter 2:25, 5:1-4). In Philippians 1:1, Paul greets the overseers and deacons but does not mention the elders, presumably because the elders are the same as the overseers. Likewise, 1 Timothy 3:2, 8 gives the qualifications of overseers and deacons but not of elders. Titus 1:5-7 seems also to tie these two terms together.

The position of “deacon,” from diakonos, meaning “through the dirt,” was one of servant leadership to the church. Deacons are separate from elders, while having qualifications that are in many ways similar to those of elders (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Deacons assist the church in whatever is needed, as recorded in Acts chapter 6.

Concerning the word poimen, translated “pastor” in reference to a human leader of a church, it is found only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 4:11: “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.” Most associate the two terms “pastors” and “teachers” as referring to a single position, that of elder, who would be a pastor and a qualified teacher. 

It would seem from the above passages that there was always a plurality of elders, but this does not negate God’s gifting particular elders with the teaching gifts while gifting others with the gift of administration, prayer, etc. (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11). Nor does it negate God’s calling them into a ministry in which they will use those gifts (Acts 13:1). Thus, one elder may do the majority of visiting members because he has the gift of compassion, while another may “rule” in the sense of handling the organizational details, while yet another may be gifted in preaching and teaching. 

Many churches that are organized with a governing board can guide the administrative functions of the church, leaving a plurality of elders  to care for the spiritual needs of a flock and watch over the adherence to true doctrine.   In Scripture there was also congregational input into major decisions. Thus, a “dictator” style leader who makes all the decisions is unscriptural (Acts 1:23, 26; 6:3, 5; 15:22, 30; 2 Corinthians 8:19). So, too, is a congregation-ruled church that does not give weight to the elders’ or church leaders’ input.

In summary, the Bible teaches a leadership consisting of a plurality of elders (overseers) along with a group of deacons who serve the church. But it is not contrary to this plurality of elders to have one of the elders serving in a major “pastoral” role. God calls some as “pastor/teachers” (even as He called some to be missionaries in Acts 13) and gives them as gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11).  Therefore, a church may have many elders, but not all elders are called to serve in the pastoral role. But, as one of the elders, the pastor or “teaching elder” has no more authority in decision making than does any other elder.

Thank God for a blueprint of leadership and church governance that works... not perfectly, but a far cry better than the machinations of man-made governments and politics.

Saving, Growing, Sustaining God’s Precious Church

Todays installment shares the thoughts and observations of a longtime minister of the gospel.  It is presented in a Q&A format and discusses his personal perspective on the strategies, priorities and prayer that are essential for a church to grow and survive.

Meet Wayne Kilpatrick.  Wayne is a child of the South, and an extraordinary preacher whose ministry skills and heart for building strong churches and evangelizing the lost have enriched thousands.  Occasionally you hear of a pulpit minister who completes a tenure of a quarter-century with a single congregation. Rarer is the story of a minister who goes on to another long and successful ministry with a second church in the same city.

Kilpatrick served 27 years with the Homewood Church of Christ in Birmingham, Ala., and nearly 10 years with the Heritage Place Church also in the Birmingham area.  He claims 50 years of rewarding, faithful full-time service to God’s Church.

Where Kilpatrick has been, local congregations have grown.   He also witnessed firsthand the natural decline of congregations over time.  Attendance at the Homewood church grew from a few to thousands, but then plateaued.  Growth stalled.  Homewood became a cutting-edge church, developing an extensive mission plan, including a long-running weekly television program.

Even with all of its outreach focused activities,  and years of steady growth, the church began to plateau and then slowly declined over time. Understanding what happens to churches is critical to changing the course of decline.   Now, enjoy these questions posed to Pastor Kilpatrick and consider his answers in light of what you may be experiencing in your own church.

Q: What are some early warning signs that a church may be on a growth plateau?

People who study church growth have discovered that 80 to 85 percent of the churches in America are in decline. This decline is not limited to liberal, mainline denominations. Many conservative and evangelical churches have plateaued, and many conservative denominations are in serious decline.

A plateaued church is not extending and expanding in reaching and assimilating new people. Therefore, growth ceases. Plateaus are part of the life-cycle of any organization, including the church. A plateaued church is in a period of inertia where the church has little movement forward in the area of growth.

Accurate record-keeping is very important in helping to know if a church is growing, plateaued or declining. Churches need to keep and examine their records from month to month in order to know the health of their church.

Q: Can plateaued churches grow again? How?

The church must choose one of three possible responses to this eventual decline.  One choice is to do nothing, maintain the internal status quo, allow cultural forces to run their course and let the church disappear from American society. This is the choice of church members who like their churches the way they are and will not tolerate change.

A second choice is to plant new churches, even if it means abandoning extant churches. C. Peter Wagner, a church growth specialist, says, “Without exception, the growing denominations have been those that stress church planting.” Many church growth advocates doubt that existing churches can be revitalized. Church researcher George Barna, in his book “Turnaround Churches,” states, “The good news is that some churches can reverse a rapid decline and make a full comeback to health. The bad news is that the odds of experiencing such a turnaround are slim.”

There is a third option to the church’s plight in America — revitalization.

If established, declining churches can be revitalized, then the combined membership, the accumulated wealth, the buildings, property and furnishings in those churches can be reclaimed and brought to bear on the task of evangelizing America.

I believe the key issue for churches today is church health, not church growth. When congregations are healthy, they grow the way God intends.

In his book “Your Spiritual Gifts,” Wagner says, “Church growth and church health are interrelated. 

Only healthy bodies grow well, and only healthy churches grow well.”

Q: Can churches become evangelistic if they currently are not? How?

The major reason for church decline is that churches ceased doing the things that caused them to grow. When we were experiencing our greatest growth during my lifetime, we were involved in many evangelistic endeavors. We had gospel meetings at least twice a year, taught personal evangelism classes and equipped our members in the use of the Jule Miller filmstrips and Bible charts in converting their neighbors.

We had Monday night visitation and zone programs that cared for the members and provided assistance to the community. We hosted a five-day Vacation Bible School and urged our members to invite friends to come worship God with them.

The church has almost cut out every single thing that caused growth and has not replaced these things with more successful ministries.

One of the most important things churches can do to grow again is to create an atmosphere in their worship services that causes people to want to come worship God. Many members are ashamed to invite their friends into their local church due to boring services, buildings that are rundown and unattractive and unfriendly members.

The difference in a growing church and a dying church is one word — invite! We are not inviting our friends and associates to come worship God with us.

My suggestion is to sit down with some of the leading members of your church and ask them, “What would we need to do to cause you to invite your friends and associates to come worship with us?”  Then take their ideas and do whatever is Scriptural and right to become a place where people are excited and thrilled to want to come.

Church growth occurs when the local church supernaturally and faithfully fulfills the Great Commission in its unique context and with a vision for the world.

Q: What do you see as elements of growth in a new church plant?

Many of the new church plants have more passion to win the lost. They begin with a lot of hope and enthusiasm and spend much time in prayer. They understand that no work has ever been accomplished for God outside of much time in earnest prayer.

New church plants begin with a structure to not only bring people into their church but also structure to keep them. Churches must constantly structure and restructure to allow for continued growth and to maintain growth that has taken place.

New churches realize their meeting places and facilities have to be up to par. No matter what type of building they have, they strive to make it look the best it possibly can.

They understand the importance of advertising. They use media and publications in their area to let others know about their ministry. They also understand the importance of signs and church information. Times of services are clearly displayed.

New churches focus on accessibility. They give thought to their location and make themselves available to their members and guests. Since they are a new church, they often pursue excellence in all they attempt to do. They understand the importance of visitors and welcome them without embarrassing them. They get information from their guests and then follow up with letters, phone calls, cards from various members and, if they are open to it, a home visit.

New churches put lots of emphasis on special events. A church needs to have at least four big events each year. These give the members opportunities to invite friends to attend with them.

Q: Do new congregations need to be planted in order to pursue growth?

Wagner observes, “Without exception, the growing denominations have been those that stress church planting.” Lyle Schaller, another author who studies church vitality, states that church planting is “the most useful and productive component of any denominational church growth strategy.”

New churches operate with an almost panicked urgency. If a church planter wants to preach to someone on Sunday, he has to go get them. Whereas many established churches end up relegating outreach to a single night during the week, the new church focuses on going after new people. And without a calendar full of committee meetings and counseling appointments, that’s what gets done. New churches reach people.

New churches are versatile within their communities. A new church is not encumbered in its methodology but can quickly adjust in order to take advantage of newly presented opportunities. 

They have a freedom that many established churches do not. They never run up against the dreaded, “We’ve never done it that way before,” because nothing has ever been done.

A church planter is able to look around and ask himself, “How can I best get the Gospel in front of these people?” New churches make the most of their circumstances.

Q: What is the role of the preacher in the growth of a church?

Church growth must begin with the preacher. No church can outgrow the preacher. Here are some suggestions as to what the preacher can do to assist the church in growth:

There can be no growth if the preacher [and elders] fails to embark on the journey of personal growth. The day he stops growing, the church stops growing. Lack of personal growth will show in pettiness, narrow-mindedness, inferiority complex, fear of offending and carnal attitudes. The minister needs to grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially and in his ability to become a more effective communicator.  Personal growth is the key to ministry growth.

• Preachers need to take courses in church growth. Bible college and seminary training has little or nothing to offer in real church growth study. Bringing growth to their church means they must unlearn some things and learn new things. They will need to attend quality conferences, buy books, search the Internet and take a practical course in church growth.

• Preachers need to believe in the theology of growth. One minister said, “God did not call the church to grow. He called it to be faithful.” Yes, God did call the church to be faithful. He also called the church to be fruitful.

Theology of growth is believing that growth is the sign of life in the church. So, everything will be done with growth in view. Whatever does not contribute to growth must be scrapped.

• The minister needs to analyze his local congregation. Ask relevant questions such as: How many were converted in the past year? What is our growth rate? How many came from other churches? What growth do we have — conversion, biological or transfer growth? How many were assimilated? Are the people becoming disciples or nominal Christians? What is the strength and weakness of this church? What percentage of our programs are maintenance rather than evangelism oriented? At our growth rate, compared to our birth rate, where will the church be in 10 years?

• The minister needs to pray for church growth. Share the vision of growth. Create time for

intercession for growth. Plan and set goals for growth. Be willing to initiate change. He never changes the Gospel but must be willing to change his methods. Pinpoint the areas that need change. Communicate change to his leaders. Gain the authority to lead.

Gradual change is the key. Change leads to growth. Without change, growth will be difficult. Be able to know where your church is and how much time is being spent on evangelism and missions. Be abreast with these facts and then communicate wisely, consistently and continuously to your people. In your communication, demand commitment to God, to the church and to outreach.

What is the role of the elders in the growth of the church?

Christians understand that their job is to sow the seed of the Kingdom and depend on God to give the increase. He has promised that his word will not return unto him void and as we sow, we reap. God gives the increase in the church. We know that.

Elders must realize that the man who stands in their pulpit is the most important factor in how the seed is sown and whether the church grows or not. If elders want the church to grow, then they must have a preacher who wants the church to grow and is willing to pay the price to see that it grows.

Elders also must want the church to grow and be willing to pay the price for growth.

Elders need to insist that their ministers attend quality lectureships and conferences, buy books, listen to tapes and talk to ministers of growing churches. They must insist that ministers think, pray, live and breathe how they can reach more people with the Gospel.

Most Elders have full-time jobs and have little time to study and learn how to grow a church. With their work, family responsibilities and shepherding God’s flock, their hands are full. They need to unleash their minister and urge him to lead in the matter of church growth. Provide him with the resources and back him in his attempts to lead the church in reaching the lost.

I am a firm believer in church growth. I know we can reach many lost people today if we are willing to do what God has taught us to do. May the Lord strengthen us in our resolve to save the lost, edify the saved and help the needy.  END of the Interview.  

Final Thought...  I hope this perspective offered by longtime preaching minister Wayne Kilpatrick, might be helpful to you in understanding the steps necessary to infuse new life and spirit into an ailing church.  God’s Church will survive until His return... will your congregation?

Sureness of Hope

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

The Bible has quite a lot to say about faith and hope. Biblical hope has as its foundation trust in God. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. For instance, “I hope it will not rain tomorrow.” In addition, the word hope is often followed by the word so. This is the answer that some may give when asked if they think that they will go to heaven when they die. They say, “I hope so.” However, that is not the meaning of the words usually translated “hope” in the Bible.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word batah and its cognates has the meaning of confidence, security, and being without care; therefore, the concept of doubt is not part of this word. We find that meaning in Job 6:20; Psalm 16:9; Psalm 22:9; and Ecclesiastes 9:4. In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope is the Greek word elpis/elpizo. Again, there is no doubt attached to this word. Therefore, biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words... “There is no doubt about it!”

One of the verses in which we find the word hope is Hebrews 11:1... “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse at the beginning of the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) carries with it all of the confidence that comes with knowing for sure, with no question, what we have been promised by God in His Word. Our faith is confident assurance, for it is founded upon the Rock of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the actions of the heroes of the faith recorded in Hebrews 11 were made possible because they had this faith based in their confident assurance or hope in God. As believers, we are also called to give an answer for that hope that is within us to any who would ask (1 Peter 3:15).

Therefore, biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises. 

Hope or confident assurance can be ours when we trust the words, “He who believes on Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). Accepting that gift of eternal life means our hope is no longer filled with doubt but, rather, has at its sure foundation the whole of God’s Word, the entirety of God’s character, and the finished work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Politics and Christianity... They don’t Mix!

You can look back in history and criticize Christians for failing to follow the commands given by Jesus during some of the world’s darkest periods.  Today is no different. Christians of the 20th and 21st century will also be judged according to their actions. There are many issues facing today’s Christians, issues that form questions that Jesus himself will expect an answer from all those professing his name.

Today, the world is in the midst of a historically horrible refugee crisis.  So the question Christ is going to ask... “why didn’t you actively help the poor, the destitute, and those in desperate need?”  Afterall, Christ himself said these things about such matters of human compassion...

Matthew 25: 34-40: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Jeremiah 22: 3-5: Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people. But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.

Are followers of Jesus supposed to forsake compassion, sacrifice hospitality, and abandon love in favor of a political policy, national security, financial stability, and personal comfort? Not according to what Jesus said.  God is perfectly clear as to what the mandate is for helping those in need, and yet today... Christians continue to remain apathetic, passive, and even aggressively hostile toward the notion of aiding such victims.  Christians today have been lured by the prevailing politically driven hysteria that has set up racist barriers to the compassion we are to extend to those in need.

How could any so-called Christian promote a gospel of hope, peace, joy, and love while simultaneously supporting restrictive policies preventing people from possibly obtaining these exact same things by denying them entrance into a safe haven, and why would you go one step further by punitively deporting people back into circumstances of poverty, violence and quite possibly death?

God has never been racist about his creation. He has never set one race above another. He loves everyone of every color and ethnicity.  He made his human family, why wouldn’t he love everyone?  So... why aren’t Christians recognizing and vigorously fighting systemic racism and inequality?  What does God say about this....

James 2:9: But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Proverbs 17:15: He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

1 John 2:9: Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

The Christian faith and doctrine clearly promotes the virtues of justice, equality, and fairness for all people, especially for those who are ostracized and mistreated... surely God will ask his followers about this... “why didn’t you help the victims of systemic racism, abuse, and oppression?”

How can Christians ignore and even criticize, a large segment of humanity that’s being victimized by authorities, institutionally incarcerated, professionally repressed, governmentally mistreated, educationally stifled, financially subjugated, and socially rejected?  You know who this speaks of... Muslims.  God loves Muslims and desires that they come to know, trust and love Him.  It’s our job to be part of the solution to that goal, not an obstacle and a passive, oppressive bystander.

Massive abuse on an epic scale is being systemically waged against people simply based on their race and gender, and what are Christians doing to help those abused? 

God has never said Christians should become actively immersed in the machinery of governmental politics, but He does expect His followers to stand up for Him and those oppressed.  Christians have a chance to be on the forefront of a civil rights movement, fueled by a righteous and holy God who despises corruption, unjust scales, exploitation, bigotry, and racism. That is not political... its just the right and moral thing to do.  

Why don’t the leaders of evangelical Christianity desperately and passionately call upon God in these divisive times, why don’t all professing Christians publicly condemn such evil, and why don’t we act, even in small ways, to right such blatant wrongs?  Don’t be blinded by self-righteous attitudes... these wrongs are being perpetrated by the political machinery and governments of our world, who like to project themselves as so-call Christian nations.  The wickedness being done towards racial minorities around the world is not justified simply because a so-called Christian nations endorses such attitudes as policy.  Christians have been suckered into buying that politicized form of religiosity!  Christians are not "better" than any other people on the planet!

Christians... think, think about your rotten thinking!!! Why are you so supportive of national and political agendas associated with violence, destruction and death?  Is the oppression of peoples you don’t understand okay because they’re not Christian?

Matt. 26:52-54: Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

Psalm 11:5: The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence,

Since Christians represent a God that died for ALL humanity, how could anyone one us actively participate in national agendas that so actively killed, hurt, and neglected any part of humanity? History will testify for God... that one human group destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives through militaristic actions and wars that offered little peace, resolution, or stability.

Christians have watched, passively turned a blind eye, and even cheered as various governments violently intervened throughout the world and selfishly, fearfully, and hatefully supplied weapons, technology, and the means to miserably kill, eradicate, and create humanitarian tragedies across the globe on an unparalleled scale.

What moral gain was achieved? What specific need or goal was so vital that it necessitated such outrageous and rampant destruction? Church, Christians living in the year 2016, please answer these questions and explain yourselves.  First, do it quietly in your mind and heart, and then prepare yourself for a day of reckoning with the God of the universe, who will ask for your answer.

Maybe the most disturbing aspect of contemporary Christianity is what appears to be the desperate desire to be politically involved.  To believe in the political agenda and be consumed with emotions over the political process... who will be the next president, who will serve on the supreme court and all the machinations of man’s deeply flawed concepts of governance.   Why do Christians crave material, economic and political power when God has already warned us against putting faith in such foolish and temporary things?

Matthew 16:26: What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

1 Peter 2:11-12: Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Do you not trust in God’s sovereignty and His plan for your future?  Evidently not, since you devote so much mental energy, time, and resources into supporting candidates, a political party, in the hope that they will prevail in elections, thereby ensuring you will be able to pursue more personal fortune, protection, and influence.  

Christians have boasted of a counter-cultural gospel and yet what has actually happened?  We fell into the same pitfalls of countless civilizations before us... a desire for carnal power, personal safety, comfort, luxury, fame, and wealth.

Christians have divisively judged, shamed, alienated, hurt, slandered, and attacked others under the banner of “Christian morals,” all in an effort to gain additional political clout and control.  

Have we lost so must faith in God’s promises that we’ve abandoned the ways of Jesus for the ways of a worldly empire? Are we so ashamed of identifying with a Divine God who died on a cross that we would rather align yourselves with oppressors, war-mongers, and corrupt rulers?  

Okay, that’s a lot of Christian bashing, albeit justified.  Is there any good news in all of this?  Yes!  These issues and provocative questions are still in the process of being answered, and God can still greatly be glorified by how we Christians serve the world around us.  God knows his people drift of course and miss the mark.  He calls us back to focused purpose and intent, on message.  It is “our choice” to follow His way, or continue down this path to oblivion.  

By focusing on Christ and refusing to become co-opted by ulterior motives, modern Christianity can leave a mark on this period in human history that can show what millions of believers can do together in the name of Jesus — helping, serving, protecting, and loving everyone!

Our world isn’t without hope because Jesus is alive, and the Holy Spirit can empower us to be the change we’re so desperately in need of. God help us.  Get on with the Mission at hand... HIS MISSION... HIS WAY!