Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never
go hungry,
and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
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The Church: God's Family
"... to those who
received [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, 1. The meaning of "church".The word church actually means "assembly of called out ones." The church is God's people whom he has 'called out' (not physically, but spiritually and morally) from the world to worship and serve him in obedience to his Word (1 John 2:15-17). In the Bible the word 'church' never refers to a building. 2. What is the Church?The church is not composed of bricks but people who have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3-10, 22-23, 2:23-30. There's more to being a Christian than simply saying, "I'm a Christian." Being a Christian is something you are. For instance, we could claim to be all sorts of things, a professional football player perhaps. But if you're not really a football player then it's a meaningless claim. When the Bible talks about the church it is talking about people - God's people, who actually have a relationship with him. 3. The Church and the church.When we talk about "joining a church" it is helpful to clarify exactly what we mean. In one sense, every Christian is already a member of the Church. When you become a Christian you automatically become a part of God's family or, to use the imagery of the Bible, the "body of Christ" - his people all over the world. We call this aspect of the Church the Universal Church: it includes all God's people everywhere since the beginning of the world to the end of time. However, when we talk about a Local Church we are talking about a group which is a mixture of both Christians and non-Christians. In other words, not everyone in a church is necessarily in the Church. The reason for this is that, unfortunately, people join churches for all sorts of reasons:
While none of these things are bad in themselves, neither are they necessarily indicators of someone who's recognized their own sin and need of the saving work of Jesus Christ. So, when we talk about "joining a church" we are talking about a local church in which there is very likely to be a collection of Christians and non-Christians. 4. Who runs the church?There are two ways to looks at this: A. Jesus ChristThe church belongs to Jesus Christ. In Jesus' own words, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me". Matthew 28:18. If Christ has absolute authority over everything, this naturally includes the church. Paul says this in Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church". Ephesians 1:22-23. Though we become members of the local church, it's not our church to run how we please, or to do what we want or don't want. You and I must submit in every way to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Head of the church, as he reveals his purposes for his church and our lives in his Word. B. Church Leadership: Elders ("Session")Under Jesus Christ, authority in the Presbyterian Church is never placed in the hands of one person, but given to groups. At the local church level Christ rules the church through biblically qualified leaders called elders or "presbyters" (thus, "Presbyterian Church"). These are mature Christian men who have been given the responsibility to care for the spiritual well-being of God's people. 1. Qualifications and Work of Elders.The Bible teaches us that elders are to work hard among the local congregation of God's people. It's only as they do this that they are worthy of the congregations respect. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. The qualifications for and the work of the elders are spelled out in detail in some key passages in the Bible: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:28-31, and, negatively, in Jeremiah 34. You can see from the diagram of qualifications (below) that eldership is not a "reward" for long-time church membership; it's not a "promotion"; least of all is it a symbol of status within the church.
Eldership is a position of responsible leadership and Service. Being an elder is about servant-leadership. And the Bible is very clear that those who hold positions of greater responsibility will be held to a greater degree of accountability. James 3:1. Elders in the Presbyterian Church are nominated, elected, ordained, and then inducted into office for life by the local congregation and the Session (the name generally used when speaking of all the elders as a body). For this reason it's vitally important that every church member knows what the qualifications for eldership are, and what the church should expect of its elders, so that the men God has equipped for this position are the ones who get the job and do the job. 2. Women and EldershipBecause of the controversy surrounding the issue of women and the eldership - whether women should or shouldn't be elders - it's a good idea to lay the cards on the table at this point regarding this Bible's view of women and eldership. The questions and problems about women and eldership arise mainly because people are not sure what God says on the subject. We shouldn't let contemporary fads shape the way we think about this or any subject. The church belongs to God and he tells us in the Bible what qualifications must be fulfilled by men or women before anyone can do any particular task. The other mistake to avoid is letting our emotions blur the principles or affect our Christian character. What does God teach on this issue? a. Equal...As beings created by God, there's no question that men and women are equal. Genesis 2:18, 21-23. Both are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27), and are to "fill the earth and subdue it". Genesis 1:28. Likewise, as Christians "in Christ" men and women have equal standing in God's sight. Galatians 3:28, 1 Peter 3:7. Paul speaks of the unity and interdependence of husbands and wives. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4, 11:11-12, Ephesians 5:31. The Bible clearly teaches the equality of the sexes. b. But different...Though men and women are equal this doesn't mean they are not different. God has given us different kinds of abilities and therefore different roles or functions to perform in life. This is vital for understanding roles in the church. God's Plan for the Family. The Bible is clear that there are certain structures in the family. From the beginning, God created man to function as the head - to lead, protect and provide for the family. He created women to care for, support and nurture the family. God has designed men and women to perform these different tasks - that's why men and women are different emotionally, physically, and volitionally (in desires). There's no question of superiority or inferiority, but of different functions. The New Testament is clear and specific about this. Ephesians 5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-19, Titus 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:1-7. God's Plan for the Church. The structures that operate in the family also operate in the church. The church must not reverse or undermine the structure of the family but support it and build upon it. This is clear in 1 Timothy 3:4-5. One of the qualifications for an elder is that he manage his own family well. The reason is that this will prove his ability to care for and lead God's church. God spells out part of His design for the local church (his spiritual family) in 1 Timothy 2:9-15. Note Paul's comment in 1 Timothy 3:14-15. He forbids women to do two things which are inherent functions of the elder: to teach and to have authority over men. This directive is not relevant for Paul's time only, because the reason he gives is grounded in God's design at creation: "For Adam was formed first, then Eve" (1 Timothy 2:12-13). (Also 1 Corinthians 14:33-35). For these Biblical reasons it is not possible for a woman to become an elder without reversing God's order in the church, and disobeying the clear teaching of the Bible. However, there are many opportunities for women to use their gifts in the life of the church: in both support and leadership positions. But we have to balance the ledger by also saying that men do not qualify for the eldership just because they're men. There are men in the church who are unsuitable for this office. In some churches there are even men already in the eldership who should not be. C. Church Leadership: the Pastor ("Minister")So where does the pastor of the church fit into the picture? The pastor of the church is an elder who works in a full-time, financially supported position within the local church. The pastor is not an employee of the local church as such. His "job description" is found in the Bible, and he's commissioned by the presbytery to do the work in the local parish. The local parish supports him financially for they are receiving the direct benefits of his labors. See 1 Timothy 5:17-18 and Matthew 10:1-16 for principle of support for full-time Christian workers. As an elder the pastor is neither superior to nor subordinate to, but on an equal standing with, the other elders. However, by virtue of the way God has gifted and called him, functionally he is considered a leader among equals. It's worth just briefly outlining what the Bible says about the role of the pastor in the local congregation. To summarize:
1. Pastor-Teacher - Ephesians 4:11The pastor's task is to shepherd God's flock. 1 Peter 5:2. In this respect his role is not different from that prescribed of an elder, except that he holds the official full-time preaching teaching position in the church. 1 Timothy 5:17. The preaching and teaching serves the purpose of encouraging spiritual growth and equipping God's people to do God's work. Ephesians 4:11-16. 2. Pastor-Preacher - 2 Timothy 4:2As the one gifted and appointed by God to teach and preach, the pastor commits himself to communicating and applying the Bible as the central and most important part of the church's life and worship since it is by his Spirit through his Word that God speaks to his people. 3. Leader-Disciple - 2 Timothy 2:2As a leader, the pastor is committed to discipleship in the life of the local church following the pattern set by the Lord Jesus and his followers. Primarily, however, his focus will be on equipping leaders and people for leadership. The diagram gives us a visual picture of Paul's principle in 2 Timothy 2:2. 5. What does the church do?What the church does can be very simply summarized in three words: A. Outreach: Worship.
This is the most important priority in life. Outreach refers to the fact that as a church one of the main things we do when we are together is worship. In worship we do together what we are also to do in private - respond to God our Father in praise, thanksgiving, adoration, and obedience for who he is and what he's done. Let's look at some of the most important biblical principles of worship. 1. Worship is Orderly.
There is a dignity and seriousness about Christian worship that requires order as against the "anything goes" mentality some churches today are prone to. Orderliness doesn't mean cold, hard, unbending structures that make worship boring and predictable. There's room for spontaneity and participation. 1 Corinthians 14:26. But we shouldn't turn spontaneity into chaos. 2. Worship is Celebrate.Celebration is the enjoyment we experience when we worship God. The Catechism tells us that enjoying God is part of why he created us. There's the risk in the Presbyterian Church of becoming morose, self-flagellating, and morbid in the name of dignity and sobriety in worship. But this is not the biblical picture of worship. We shouldn't always come to worship with God's people looking forward to being told that we're rotten sinners who always fail God our Father.
See also Revelation 7:10, 12, Psalm 95:1-7, 100:1-2. 3. Worship is Reflective.Celebration is balanced with reflection. We must take time out in worship to think about God's grace shown in the forgiveness of our sins, and his continued willingness to wipe out our present failings. Paul says to,
See also, Isaiah 6:1-5, Ezekiel 1:28. 4. Worship is Meaningful.The corporate worship of God's people is the "public face of the church". Anyone can come along if they want, Christians and non-Christians. So it's important that worship serves an evangelistic function. We should expect non-Christians to come along, and even invite and encourage them to join with us. Christians worshipping together can be a powerful testimony to the reality and presence of God. 1 Corinthians 14:25. But we have to realize that unchurched people don't understand Christian jargon. (Neither do some Christians.) Some have no church background or experience. So it's the responsibility of the church to worship in a way that most pleases God, is most uplifting for Christians, and most clearly communicates the gospel and love of Christ. If there are sacrifices to be made in terms of the style of our worship then its Christians who must make them. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23,
Paul also said that by "setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:2. There's nothing unbiblical about being sensitive to our present culture. God has not sanctified any one particular period in history. It's possible to be contemporary without being shallow or compromising. B. Inreach: Ministry.
Inreach is the activity of building up one another in Christ. This is done as we teach and learn the truths of the Bible and encourage one another in the exercise of our various gifts and ministries to the family of God in order to grow and mature in the family likeness - to be more like Jesus. C. Outreach: Mission.
Outreach refers to the great privilege of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to our neighbors, our community, our country, and our world. This entails showing God's love and telling God's love - seeking to meet people's perceived or "felt" needs (emotional, physical, psychological), in order to eventually minister to (and Lord willing meet) their real need (forgiveness and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ). |
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