This post is an exploration of scripture on the topic of what a “church” is supposed to look like. I want to look at the roles people play within the church, what the focus is on, where and how people meet, and the purpose of gathering.
Characteristics of a church:
- Devoted to God.
- Devoted to one another.
- Devoted to the scriptures.
- Devoted to prayer.
- Devoted to righteousness and purity.
- Worship together.
- Full of disciples that make disciples (2 Timothy 4:1-8).
- Meet regularly.
- Share everything.
- selling possessions and distributing resources among those in need.
- live humbly.
- United as one.
- Committed to righteousness, even in the face of suffering and persecution.
- Serving one another in humility and love, utilizing the spiritual gifts and callings God has placed in the members (Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:6-8).
- hold one another accountable.
- leadership: 1 Timothy 3.
- Steadfast faithfulness to Christ (2 Timothy 2).
Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Peter 3:8-17, 1 Peter 4, 1 Peter 5:1-11, Hebrews 10:24-25, Romans 16:17, ALL of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:1-8) all of Titus, James
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-11 ESV
Church Leadership & Roles
Bishop/Overseer
Bible Verses: 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:6-9
Requirements: “…an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.“
Role: An unqualified overseer/bishop, will become puffed up with pride, manipulate the body of Christ and misrepresent Christianity– ultimately causing damage to themselves and others. This is why they must not be new believers. New believers must be served, and discipled– trained up in what it means to be a humble servant of Christ. If they don’t learn this first, they will miss the point, and neglect the responsibility they have, of protecting and guiding the assembly of believers they have been entrusted to oversee. Therefore, the overseer must be a mature believer, who has full trust and confidence in Christ; they must not be wavering in their belief. The protecting/guiding role of the overseer includes teaching, preaching, protecting from and confronting false teachings/teachers, false prophets, administrating church discipline, etc. As a result, a pastoral role is very much inseparable from an overseer.
Elder
Greek: presbyteros
Bible Verses: 1 Timothy 1:5-6, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 2:3-5, James 5:14
Requirements: “and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.“
[ … ]
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.“
Role: Oversees the assembly in a similar role that overlaps with the bishop/overseer. An elder is worthy of respect through maturity, experience, and is “worthy of double honor” if an elder also happens to fill the role of an overseer (which is technically a separate role since an overseer is not always an elder). An elder is especially worthy of extra honor if they are among the laborers/workers who are preaching and teaching. What an honor it is to have a seasoned elder, a proper leader, who is still laboring among the flock. Elders lead the way in the assembly in laying of hands and anointing with oil on those that are sick and need prayer for healing. Elder men are to take on a role of spiritual father to the younger men, and the older women are to take on the role of spiritual mother to the younger women.
Deacon
Greek: diakonos
Bible Verses: Matthew 20:26, 1 Timothy 3:8, Luke 22:26
Requirements: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.“
Role: Serving others, in humility. Servant, deacon, minister, it’s all the same role. Someone who is officially taking on the role of deacon/minister/servant needs to fit the requirements. The purpose of these requirements is stated: Must not be compromised in their motives and character. The proof will be in their households and endeavors. If they’re chasing after wealth, it shows greed. If they’re “double-tongued” (deceptive), it shows they are not trustworthy and have ulterior motives. If they have addictive vices, particularly alcohol, it shows a dangerous doorway to influence from Satan and therefore leaves a dangerous vulnerability to the assembly they serve. Someone who wants to be a deacon, must be tested first. It’s harmful to put someone in a ministry position lightly.
Pastor/Shepherd
Bible Verses: 1 Peter 5:2, Ephesians 4:11-16
Requirements:
Role: Arguably, the shepherd and teacher is a linked role. The Greek grammar, as well as the practical role of guiding the flock through understanding of the scriptures is a protecting act. It is through properly knowing (and believing) the scriptures that Jesus resisted Satan in the wilderness while he fasted for 40 days and nights.
Church Discipline
Church discipline is carried out by the overseers and elders.
The following is the kind of thing that needs to be addressed:
- usurping leadership.
- deceptive, teaching things that are not Biblical or beneficial (see: false teachers).
- selfish, taking from the fellowship but not providing anything back.
- conspiracy theories, gossip, endless speculations and debates about things that either have no Biblical basis, are scripturally unclear, and/or have no benefit to spiritual growth.
- unrepentant sin.
- sexual immorality.
This is how it is addressed:
Unrepentant sin: Matthew 18:15-17
- tell him his sin alone.
- take some witnesses.
- rebuke in the presence of the church, so they see the seriousness of sin and be discouraged from unrepentant sin (see 1 Timothy 5:20).
- treat him as an outsider.
False teaching, division: (Titus 1)
- rebuke sharply.
Sexual immorality, greed, drunkard, idolatry, swindling (essentially, unrepentant sin) : 1 Corinthians 5
- treat them as outsiders, “Purge the evil person from among you.”
- remember that outsiders (unbelievers) are called to repentance and treated with grace and mercy.
- this removes them from the protection of the fellowship and like a lone lamb away from its flock, vulnerable to the wolf (Satan) (see 1 Corinthians 5:4) and the hope is that this process will lead them to experiencing the consequences of sin, and leading to true repentance and restoration to God and the fellowship.