The Offices of the Church

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by: Timothy
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Word Count: 4358
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 Time: 1:19 PM
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Of The Pastor, 

Man, for some reason or another, thinks he needs someone to rule over him as the Hebrew people did when they asked God for a King. (1st Samuel 8:5) That went real well, didn't it??? No it didn't, and neither does a pastor ruling over a church as their lord. 1st 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; 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. A pastor is not to be the ruler, but a leader. There is a big difference there.

In the matter of oversight, he is to be giving the instructions of the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, from the Word of God. (Feed the flock of God which is among you,) Not holding back but preaching with all that is in him. And not just preaching pretty sermons but expounding on the word ! 2nd Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

If he wants the congregation to visit, he needs to be one who visits too. If he wants the congregation to tithe, he needs to be one who thythes also. If he wants them to clean up the church he had better grab a garbage bag, mop and a broom with the rest of them. (being ensamples to the flock.)

It is also the duty of the pastor to administer the Lords Supper, baptisms, marriages, moderate business meetings, etc. as it is his duty to officiate over any and all things where a spokesman for the church body is needed.

And what about a payment for the pastor? 1st Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. I personally have gone to the church as a pastoral candidate, not asking what the church can pay me, much to the surprise of some. With Good reason. (not for filthy lucre,) The pastor must be a man of faith. I had faith that God would take care of His own, and I am one of His own. If you have the "desire" to pastor, please don't consider that "desire" a opening for a lucrative career. (but of a ready mind;) Have some faith for crying out loud!!!

Dear pastor, you need also to get it out of your head that being a pastor is a calling. It's not a calling, it is a desire which the Lord God has allowed you. Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Paul plainly taught this in: 1st Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. And quite frankly it is up to the congregation listening to the Lord to appoint you as their pastor.

Even another point I want you to consider. If it were a calling, then neither you or your congregation could change their minds about you being there because: Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Dear sir, just grit your teeth and accept what the scriptures say about your qualifications:

1. 1st Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
   • Blameless means clearly that you shouldn't have any reason for anyone to speak bad things of you in honesty. and if you have burned some bridges, you better get to building them back.
   • That he is the husband of only one living wife means he must meet the qualifications of Matthew 19:9, or 1st Corinthians 7:10,
     • Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
     • 1st Corinthians 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
       • The word fornication applies to both married and unmarried in this case, he is the one who should be the innocent one in that case and not under bondage means to be released from the bonds of matrimony. If he is remarried outside of these qualifications then he is scripturally disqualified.
   • That he is vigilant, meaning a shepherd who watches out and protects.
     • 1st Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
   • That he is sober. This means that he is to be serious when he needs to be.
     • Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
   • Of good behavior is self exclamatory.
     • 2nd Thessalonians 3:6: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
   • Given to hospitality meaning you should feel welcomed without any reservations at his home.
     • 1st Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
   • Apt to teach would mean that he would be willing to explain the doctrines of the scriptures without hesitation according to the knowledge God has given him.
     • 2nd Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2. 1st Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
   • Not given to wine, means a man who avoids strong drink.
     • Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
   • No striker would mean someone who wouldn't be likely to hit another out of anger.
     • Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
   • Not greedy of filthy lucre would be one who isn't out to make an easy or fast buck. Not given to deceptions and/or ploys to cheat someone.
     • 1st Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
   • But patient means that he is willing to wait for the right time at all occasions.
     • Psalms 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
   • Not a brawler would mean someone who isn't fist fighting constantly.
     • Again: Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
   • Not covetous is a man who isn't overly desirous of things that belong to others.
     • Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
3. 1st Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
   • Ruleth well and having his children in subjection would mean that he is the unquestioned head of his own household.
     • Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
4. 1st Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
   • Being a novice is one who lacks the biblical and practical training of an older or more experienced pastor or elder. The finest training a pastor can receive is to have been under a good, Bible believing pastor of his own.
     • 1st Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
5. 1st Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
   • This defiantly means you should have good (honest) references. Go out and ask others about your candidate.
     • Acts 22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him

Of The Deacons

Ready for a hot potato? The deacon wasn't called to be a head of the church. He was chosen and ordained by the church to be a ministering servant to the church so that the preachers could devote their time to their position. Acts:6:1: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

And then we see the same qualifications for the deacon:

• 1st Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

As deacons were first appointed “to serve tables,” you must also understand that there are three tables for them to serve and the supplies for this service must be supplied by the church.:

1. The table of the widows & orphans
2. The table of the Lord's Supper
3. The table of the pastor

The deacon is also to be the voice for the widows and orphans in church matters and has given up his individual voice in business matters to voice theirs. That is except in the matter of the church administration entrusted to them by the congregation. Here they are to see to the needs of the church building and upkeep, the supplies necessary for the functioning of the church body, and even by virtue of the office "tend" as a clerk to money matters such as the treasury and expenditures. Not an easy task at all.

It's very important that you notice one particular qualification for the deacon not mentioned for the bishop. 1st Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. The matter of why this is mentioned for the deacon and not for the pastor/bishop has made many people wonder. When we make a further study of it we find Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. It has long been held through the centuries that Phebe was the wife of a deacon and therefore a deaconess/servant of the church. ("servant" = Greek "diakonos"). It can also be taken from 1st Timothy 3:11 that she is to share the duties of her husband under his (her husbands) leadership. Therefore the deaconship is a package deal "requiring" a qualified wife as well.

A little footnote for you. A deacon does need to be a married man as the scriptures plainly teach, but just because a deacon and his wife have no children is not a disqualifier from the office. But if he does have children, they must be under subjection by all means.

Of The Evangelists of the Church

Inside the body of most churches there are those men who have been called by God to preach. Many of them may feel the desire to pastor and there is no better place to receive training as a pastor then beside a fully trained pastor. This is the oldest concept of training and one that has been downplayed by those who believe a man is not even qualified to preach unless he has been seminary trained. To quote an old song; "Some people go to school to learn how to teach and some go to school to learn how to preach. But if you got to go to school to learn how to preach, you ain't no preacher, you're an educated fool and that's all."

Whom God Calls, He Qualifies!!!

• 1st Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

To be called to preach is not an automatic desire to pastor either. There are those who do not have this desire at all. With that said, then these men are also there to train for the mission field as missionaries and evangelists. Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

There are also those who are not qualified to fill the position of pastor. Ready for another hot potato? Just because a called man of God has been divorced, HE IS NOT DISQUALIFIED TO PREACH. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. You cannot change your mind (repent) once you accept the calling to preach. Nor should you stop a called man from proclaiming the Word of God. Deuteromony 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. In such a case the church should license them but not ordain them as a pastor. However he should be disqualified to pastor if he has had a divorce without biblical justification . If he has remarried he has also compounded the disqualification. 1st Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...

And while these men are in the midst of the congregation they must most certainly should and historically have been the right arm of the pastor. Filling the pulpit, preaching and teaching, when asked and taking oversight of things that the pastor may assign them to under his leadership. From this ancient concept we received the idea and office of Associate Pastor.

It has been said by some that there is no need at all for an associate pastor (evangelist of the church). I see no biblical reason why not and even the church at Philippi had more than one Bishop leading me to believe that there was the Pastor and the evangelists under him. Phillipians:1:1: Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Some would argue and say there must have been more than one church there at the time. There is no biblical or historical evidence for this.

Of The Music Director

If there is a God fearing, Christian music loving, full of the Holy Ghost man out there who would love to lead the congregation in the music, seek him out. Because this is the one who would be of help to the congregation in lifting their spirits in praise and invitation, set the mood for the sermon, or through the Holy Ghost chosen song, help in leading the lost to salvation. Weather you church is formal or informal, this office can be of the utmost importance. Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Of Missionaries and Missions

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are commanded to spread the Gospel by the Savior and there are two methods we use today for missionary support. The first but most recent is through means of the co-operative program. Introduced in 1924/1925 as an outreach of associated Baptist Churches for local and foreign mission support. The other and by far the most ancient is the support directly to the missionary from the supporting congregation.

However somehow we have got things crossed up. To support the missions directly from the storehouse of the individual church has labeled some of our sister churches as "Independent" like it was some kind of bad word. Have we forgotten that to be independent is actually what we need to be and not a bad thing? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A CHURCH TO BE BAPTIST WITHOUT BEING INDEPENDENT IN GOVERNMENT AND MISSIONS.

Does that mean that a cooperative is a bad thingy? No way, if that cooperation is with those sister churches who are of the SAME Faith and Doctrines it is defiantly a good thing. It is only when liberalism and heretical teaching enter into these sister churches and associations that cooperation needs to end.

About the Author

The Author, Tim Davis, is the webmaster of PCIM Christian Fellowship Message Board at http://parsonscorner.org/pcimunity/ If you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to visit and start a thread.

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