OBC PNTC Syllabus        obcpntc-8 The Pattern For Leadership (concluded)

The New Testament description of church leadership is a far cry from the leadership structure found in the denominational religions of men. We invite you to this study of Leadership in the Lord’s church in the hope that the church where you are will be strengthened by your understanding of these Biblical principles.

   The Lord’s church was established in the days of the great Roman Empire

(cf. Luke 2:1). The organizational structure of the Roman Empire provided an efficient means of control over the various regions of the empire (fig.1). Under the emperor there were advisors who were over governors who in turn were over the various nations in the empire.

fig. 1

    We notice a similarity in the  structure of the Roman Catholic Church (fig. 2) with the Pope as the head over the Cardinals who were over Bishops which were over the Priests in the various churches.

fig. 2

    Then, throughout the ages, men have organized their religions under Synods, Conventions, Boards, etc. according to man made rules found in Constitutions, Articles of Faith, Manuals and Disciplines. And while, in the eyes of men, these structures and regulations may seem to be efficient, they are not to be found in the structure of the church of which we read in the Bible. All of these ideas of men are not in accord with the teachings of the Lord. Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Considering the denominational structures invented by men, when the man at the top teaches error, all of the congregations under his oversight are affected by his error, and the entire denomination becomes polluted.

   In stark contrast to the inventions of men, in the Lord’s simple plan (fig. 3), Christ, as the Chief Shepherd is the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18, 1 Pet. 5:4); the elders over individual congregations are subject to Christ and have no oversight authority over any other congregation.  

fig. 3

In the wisdom of God we find the arrangement in figure 3 to be according to the teachings from the New Testament. The above illustrated complicated arrangements of men are the products of fertile minds that are unwilling to submit to the authority of Christ.

From Lesson #7 we considered the words of the apostle Peter as he was borne along by the Holy Spirit to write:

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 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;3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away"

(1 Peter 5:1-4).

1. In this passage, what three commands are given to those who would serve as elders in the Lord's church?

Ans.:    (a)

              (b)

              (c) 

2. Consider 1 Timothy 3:2-5 along with Titus 1:6 and choose the correct answer from below. The type of leadership demanded of an elder requires that he must be:

(a) A successful business man

(b) An astute politician

(c) Knowledgeable in the ways of the world

(d) A successful leader of his own family

(e) One who can get along well with others.

3.  What is meant by the expression "feed the flock"? Feed them how and with what?

Ans.:

4.  Consider the following two passages, then select the correct answer.

 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" (1 Tim 3:2);   "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly" (Titus 1:6). 
 

(a)    An elder must be a man

(b)    An elder may be a woman

(c)    It is not necessary for an elder to be married

(d)    An elder may not have had children     

5. (a) What qualities must be found in the wife of an elder? (1 Tim. 3:11)

    (b) Must she be a Christian?

Ans.: (a)

           (b)
 

6. Is it possible for an elder to be disqualified because of the lives of his wife or children?

Ans.:

7.  In the two column table below list the requirements for one to be an elder under the given scriptures.

9. The LDS (Mormon) religion sends out thousands of young men, recently our of high school, on mission trips  throughout the world as "elders" who go out two by two in their effort to further their faith. Give at least two reasons why these young men are not qualified to be elders.

Ans.:     (a)

               (b)

               (c)

               (d)

10. Which congregations are at the greater risk for being influenced by error?

    (a) Congregations without faithful elders.

    (b) Congregations with faithful elders.

Question for discussion:

Why are so many congregations without faithful elders.

END PNTC-8

Congratulations