We covered a lot of ground today, looking at the diagram of the organism of the local church. Please go to the website and look at how the board is laid out. I believe we will be able to post the diagram next week. Rebecca Moon is planning to print it out for everyone.
The key to understanding the diagram is to identify where you are in the local church. How is your journey into Christian maturity going? Are you observing and learning, or participating in ministry, or in a leadership role? Babies need the sincere milk of the word, but they also need to be weaned onto more solid food. It takes the entire body participating, as Ephesians 4:11-16 confirms.
We must all be aware of the qualifications of elders, as well as deacons, and be ready to compare the qualifications to anyone presented to the body for a leadership position. As the body grows into maturity, the pool of eligible deacons becomes larger, and from the expanded pool of mature men, elders can be chosen.
As we read this morning, if a man desires the office of a bishop / elder / pastor / overseer, he desires a good work. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 reminds us that elders that rule well should be counted worthy of double honor. It is the responsibility of the church to care for the needs of those who step out of the work a day world and into the world of leadership in a paid position. That manner of commitment to the ministry of the saints should be honored.
1 Timothy 5:19-20 command us to not give in to idle gossip and accusations of our leadership. If there is any truth, it is to be heard before two or three witnesses. If sin is discovered, they are to be rebuked before the assembly to bring about a holy fear of God.
1 Timothy 5:21-22 remind us to avoid partiality when choosing our leaders. We are to be careful not to choose someone to lead before they are mature enough and prepared for journey of sacrifice that will certainly come. Paul’s final words to us all in this matter is very clear – keep yourselves pure.
We will look at the enemies of a healthy local church in our next study.