Introduction
One of my hobbies through the years has been to visit successful people in the
business world and learn as much as I could about them; those things that in their
judgment helped to make them successful. With this in mind I walked into the office of the president
of a successful company in South Carolina and saw on his desk a little plaque that read, “Take
Nothing For Granted.” Upon inquiring as to its meaning to him he replied, “Just what it says.” He
then proceeded to tell me that as the CEO for his company he needed to know what was going on
and he was going to know what was going on! He said that he would not “presume” anything about
the company’s operation that he could check out for himself.
This was probably one of the main
reasons he was the CEO, and was successful at being such. In these studies I too intend to “take
nothing for granted.” Will you study it with me and “take nothing for granted?” Let’s imitate those
in Ezra’s day, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused
them to understand the reading” (Neh 8:8).
Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America’s early 19th century most influential thinkers and writers,
once stated: “I have six honest serving men; they taught me all I knew. Their names are what, and
when and where; and how, and why and who.” In our introduction to this series of studies on
Congregational Leadership
we will follow loosely these “honest serving men.”
What (Who) Is A “Congregation”
The word “congregation” is from “con” (with) plus “grex” (a herd), and means 'to collect as an assemblage; to meet in a crowd; an assembly, especially an assembly of persons met for the worship of God; or a number of people organized as a body for the purpose of holding religious services in common." (The New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary).
So, we are talking about a collection (group) of Christians, a voluntary association
of Christians,
worshiping and working together for their common good. Social scientists have determined that for
individuals to become a functional group, there will be four ever-present elements:
(1) Common interest, aims, goals and objectives
(2) Satisfaction of individual spiritual needs
(3) Interaction of members, related to the time, place, ability and opportunity
(4) Interdependence – possession of understanding and willingness to “member.”
Study carefully the account from Acts 2:37-47. Were these new believers individualists with self-centered and divergent interests, or, a group of Christians who had a common interest, and motivated by a common Spirit, who wanted to work together with thankful hearts to seek the Lord’s will, and to provoke one another to love and good works collectively.
We say “who” for obvious reasons, for a “congregation” is always people, and leadership is leadership of people. We should never become guilty of thinking of a congregation of God’s people as an "it." The word "church," or "congregation," is never used in the New Covenant Scriptures to refer to more than or less than, people; Christians associating together, at times sharing their worship, at times just being together, but always people. A well educated brother in Christ writes, “One of Satan's greatest victories was achieved when people stopped thinking of the church as a people, and began thinking of it as an organization.” I wholeheartedly agree!
So, what is “congregational leadership?” It is leading people, God’s People – People who have selected certain spiritually minded and prepared ones in whom they have confidence to lead them in paths of righteousness.
Leadership
The words “leadership” and “eldership” are not found in the KJV or the ASV. These two words
have evolved through the years, and today we are quite familiar with both because of their frequent
use. Much of this series of lessons will feature the meaning and implication of these two words.
(Please see Endnote below.)
Universal VS Congregational?
It is interesting how we humans can emphasize almost any truth to prove one point, and in so
doing often distort the overall truth. I hear lesson after lesson where teachers will use words and
truths that pertain to the whole Body of Christ in a limited application to a “local church” only. And,
no doubt the reverse is true. There are those who consider themselves “members of the Body at
large,” and ignore or neglect opportunities for personal involvement with others in a congregation.
The Scriptures are not “confusing,” but we can become “confused” unless we study and practice
what they teach us, in their proper context. An interesting study for anyone would be that debate of
1898, 1899, between F. D. Srygley and J. N. Hall. Hall, a Baptist, argued that there is “no church
on earth except the local church.” (Study Rom 12:4,5; 1Co 12; Eph 5:25ff.; etc.)
But, our study is that of the “congregation” of Christians. A congregation of God’s People is not
an organization
, but uses organization for special purposes. And, a congregation organized is
organized for spiritual purposes only. The people have not come together for political, financial, or
social reasons. The kingdom of God is "not of this world" (John 18:36). It is "within you" (Luk
17:21), and is “not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom.
14:17). God is “spirit” (John 4:24); and the saved of God are a “spiritual house, a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5). (Be reminded of the
numerous “Churches” and religious organizations who have become active in various political and
social issues at this time. Often the reason given is that “groups have clout,” and the individual has
little or no ‘clout,’ or influence. This does not justify a congregation of Christians, as a designated
group, involving itself [saints now becoming an “it”] in these matters of the world.)
Individual Accountability Demands Responsibility
Conceptually (and ideally), for any group to prosper spiritually and numerically, every single member of the congregation ought to have this 'common' interest (see #1, above). This would be, according to Acts 2:37-47:
1. Teaching of the apostles' doctrine and matters of acceptable worship and service, i.e., all that "the Word of God" could possibly demand or imply for redeemed souls. (John 8:31,32;etc.)
2. Fellowship with leaders and with all other brethren as possible. (The 3000 + were “together,” and “of one accord.” How was this possible? They were possessors of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38; 5:32.) Are we not also possessors today? [Rom 8:8,9])
3. Opportunities for cooperative encouragement and service (evangelism, edification, benevolence, Heb. 10:24, 25). Paul states this beautifully in Ephesians 4:16: “From whom (i.e., Christ) the whole body (both universal and local) fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth (both universal and local), according to the effectual working in the measure of every part (both universal and local), maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself (both universal and local) in love.”
The Leader’s Role
Without demeaning any brother or sister, reasonably and experientially we know that all members of the Body of Christ are not being every thing they are capable of being for the Lord’s sake. Paul wrote the Colossians with a beautiful prayer that is worthy of emulation for us today.
“For this cause (i.e. their love in the Spirit) we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” (Col. 1:9-11).
Working cooperatively, we can hopefully today “provoke one another to (increased) love and( more) good works” (Heb. 10:24).
God in the very beginning saw it was not “good” for man to be alone. And so he gave man a helpmeet, a helper suitable for his needs. If Adam had not needed a partner, he would no doubt have ever received one. If God’s people today can live acceptable lives as individuals, no association or fellowship would be needed. But, common sense and experience has shown us that this is impossible. And so, we like sheep, need to flock together for our well-being, and flocked sheep need shepherds. Let us consider:
THE WORK OF THE SPIRITUAL OVERSEER
Premise: If we can determine the life and work of a Christian, we can easily determine the work of the overseer of these Christians.
Is a Christian to love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength? Is this not, according to Jesus, the 'first' and 'greatest' commandment? (Yes?/No?) The overseer is then to help him know to do this, and help him to do it.
Is a Christian to seek the will of God in all of his doings? In all aspects of His life (James 4:13-17)? (Yes?/No?) The overseer is then to help him know to do this, and help him to do it.
Is a Christian to love, care for, forgive, serve, greet, prefer, teach and admonish, exhort, edify, instruct, stir up (to good works), encourage, confess his faults to, pray for, bear the burdens of, comfort and live in harmony with, his brother and sister in Christ according to the 'one to another' passages of the New Testament? Is he to be kind, humble, hospitable, have compassion for, all these brethren, according to the Scriptures? Is he to do good to all men, especially to those of the household of faith according to the Scriptures? (Yes?/No?) The overseer then is to help him to know this, and help him to do it.
Is the Christian to obey all the commandments of the one Lord? To do all things in the name of the Lord? To walk according to the Spirit of Christ? To walk in the steps of the Saviour? (Yes?/No?) The overseer is then to help him to know this, and help him to do all this.
Is the disciple of the Lord to be salt, light, leaven in the world? Is he to bear fruit to glorify the Father? (Yes?/No?) The overseer is to help him to know this, and help him to do it.
Is the Christian to possess the fruit of the Spirit of Christ -- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, trust, meekness, temperance? (Gal. 5:22,23.) Goodness, righteousness, truth? (Eph. 5:9.) (Yes?/No?) The overseer is then to help him to know this, and help him to do so.
Is the Christian to remain faithful to Christ unto death, with the hope of receiving the crown of life? (Yes?/No?) The overseer then is to help him to know about this hope, and help him to realize it.
Is the spiritual overseer to do for a saint what a saint is commanded by the Lord to do for himself? Can a saint delegate to the overseer the necessity of making right decisions for himself, or of doing right deeds for himself? (Yes?/No?) Is the overseer then not to help the follower of the Lord know the basis for making right decisions, and performing right deeds, according to the will of God?
Can the child of God delegate his worship, study, giving, benevolence, teaching of others, etc., to anyone else? (Yes?/No?) Is the overseer then not to help each follower be responsible to Christ today, in anticipation of the day when he will face up to his accountability before the Lord? (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 13:17; etc.)
Conclusion: Since the child of God cannot delegate to anyone else the responsibility of his possessing the qualities that must characterize every saved person, we conclude that the primary and most important work of a spiritual overseer, is to help those that have committed themselves to Christ, and under his overseeship, to know all this, and motivate him to do it. One of the most serious mistakes being made today -- by my judgment -- is that overseers are doing for followers of Christ what followers ought to be doing for themselves, and must be doing, as followers of Christ! And, in so doing, the disciples are being defrauded, the overseer is not fulfilling his proper role, and the Kingdom of Heaven is not growing, spiritually or numerically.
____ ____ ____
Regrettably, all do not have similar aims, goals and objectives for being a member of a particular congregation; each does not have 'common interest' with all others. I was naive enough early in my preaching career to think that all brothers and sisters in the congregation were members thereof for the same reason I thought of myself, until I was stunned one day to hear the congregation’s secretary tell me, “The only reason I attend is to be with my friends.” I have since heard this from numbers of others. Sad, but apparently true.
Have we become a group of “church-house Christians?” “Going to church” our weekly perfunctory duty to the Lord? Just to be with our friends? If so, maybe this is why we have been denied the spiritual blessings the Lord promised his followers. Leadership needs to address this matter before going on to other matters. It has been said that 'we can do anything we decide we are going to do, IF we are a we!' The leader’s role is to make a “we” out of divergent individuals; while helping each part to be what their name implies, Christian, disciple, child of God, and above all – saint.
Goodman Oaks in Southaven is the largest church of Christ in Mississippi. Steve Reeves
, their
preacher, recently in a bulletin article suggests several questions to be asked of leadership about what
is to be done in worship now-a-days:
"1.) Is there precedence for such an act of worship in the New Testament? Can it be supported by a direct command of Scripture? An example in the early church? An inference from the practice of the early church?
"2.) Is this activity intended to bring glory to God or is it geared merely toward human entertainment and satisfaction?
"3.) Will it promote or hinder the unity of the body of Christ? Paul commands us to 'pursue those things that make for peace' (Rom. 14:19)."
A mature and competent Bible scholar, dean of one of our Christian Universities, responded to this article thusly: “Even when such questions are asked, different answers may be given by different people. My concern here, however, is that too many congregations seem never to ask such questions.
The only questions being asked by some today, apparently, are, ‘Do we like it? Do we want to do it? Will it help attract crowds?’”
To the shepherds of the flock, we ask respectfully, “whose responsibility is it to see that the assemblies are overseen with a correct purpose in mind?”
What Is Successful Leadership?
Several years ago 54 of the most outstanding elders and preachers in Dallas, Tx. met on a Saturday to discuss at length and in depth the real and most important duty of congregational leaders. After several hours and several presentations, the conclusion was expressed in these few words:
“To provide a spiritual climate whereby every saint at this place is being changed into the very image of Jesus Christ.”
* This definition stresses the controlling of circumstances where it CAN happen; doing the things that would make it possible to happen. We can not force a person to believe, or to grow spiritually. We can not make a brother or sister be faithful to Christ, but leaders can provide and control a climate where it is conducive for growth to occur. Let us plant and water and let God give the increase. Hasn’t He promised to do so? (1Cor 3:6, 7)
* This definition stresses “every saint.” (Col. 2:19; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:16; etc.) There are no unimportant members of the body of Christ – in or out of our congregation. We must take into consideration the young, the old, the weak, along with those who would be called the ahead-type person.
* This definition stresses “at this place.” Many men who have been entrusted with the spiritual guidance of saints here, have diminished their effectiveness by being involved in multitudinous affairs there, while neglecting their most important obligation – looking after the souls of those who entrusted them. If a man is unable, for whatever reason, to look after his “stay at home” business, he should excuse himself from accepting the responsibility. Spiritual oversight is a time-consuming work (and a difficult one); it is not an honorary office.
* This definition stresses the 'here and now.' Every saint 'is' being changed! We leave the past;
we plan for the future, but we capitalize the present. Today is the day of salvation. What is the
spiritual status of the family of God at this place now? How can it be made better?
* Most importantly, this definition stresses Jesus as the one aim, goal, and objective. HE is the way, the truth, and life. No other emphasis among the leadership or membership can possibly be the Bible emphasis. Extraordinary care must be given to seeing that this emphasis does not become “our church” and neglect “his church,” the souls for which he died to save.
The Place Of The Bible In Congregational Leadership
The Bible is the Word of God, and will ever be. It is God’s Message to the world – both sinner
and saint. It prepares us for “every good work” (2 Tim. 3:15). Personal, individual study of the
Scriptures will forever be necessary for continued faithfulness to God. Probably group Bible study,
with a well trained teacher / leader is the world’s best source of personal spiritual growth for the
congregated member.
Scientists have concluded (and I agree) that most personality is formed or
deformed in groups. (What about the family? Well run schools?) And, if a person’s personality needs
to be reformed, a group Bible study is probably the best resource available.
ENDNOTES: