Church Government

Ministry & Church Government in 13 Lessons: Taken from the book "Biblical Church Government" by Dr. Steven Davis

Chapter 1: The Church as a Body

Using the Bible as the guide for belief and practice, how is a local church body supposed to be operated? Is it to be run like a business, with officers, directors, chairmen of the board? Can it be run without a Statement of Purpose, Mission Statement, and Written Statement of Vision? Is it administered like a club, with rules, membership qualifications and officers? Or, is it patterned more like a democratic republic, where the majority rules, through elections and popular vote? How much authority and credibility is invested in the denominational Discipline and the local church's Constitution and By-Laws? Click here to read more...

Chapter 2: How the Idea of the Church as a Democracy Evolved

What happens when we lay aside God’s biblical principles and use a worldly or carnal religious model for operating the church? When the principles of God's word are laid aside in the day to day operations of a church, it is inevitable that extraneous problems and struggles will arise. When church leadership thinks that sound doctrine only pertains to the messages delivered from the pulpit, the next step is to attempt to fulfill God’s calling for His church by other methods. This is where management principles taken from business models are dressed up in church clothes and used as a means to govern. Click here to read more...

Chapter 3: The Church as God's Flock

The Apostle Peter addressed a section in his first epistle specifically to the elders (presbuteros, "presbyters", or "senior officers") in the five cities that the letter was circulated to. He gave them exhortations concerning their responsibilities and relationship to the people they were ministering to. Peter spoke to them first as a fellow elder (sumpresbuteros, "copresbyter"). He then established his apostolic authority by reminding them that he was one of the original apostles and had seen Jesus crucified. He was one of the first to see Jesus after He was raised from the dead. Peter calls himself a partaker (koinonos, "sharer" or "partner") of Christ's glory, probably referring to the Mount of Transfiguration where he had personally witnessed Jesus being transfigured and had directly heard the voice of God. Click here to read more...

Chapter 4: Principles for Recognizing Elders

Many churches, denominations and movements don’t use the title, “Elder.” Some quasi-Christian movements DO use the title. Just because a movement does not use the title “elder” to designate their senior leaders, it does not mean that they are missing the mark biblically. And, just because a man comes in with the title of Elder, does not mean that he is an Elder at all, by scriptural functionality and office. The title is not as important as the functionality of the office of Elder. Click here to read more...

Chapter 5: How this is Not at All like the Old " Shepherding Movement"

How did this teaching find people to buy into it? First of all, many of the early adherents to the charismatic movement were from mainline denominations where the ministry was basically a “hireling” ministry. In other words, their pastors, ministers, priests were placed in their churches by a hierarchy, and would be with the people for so long as the denominational oversight deemed that he should be there. A large portion of these people were ignorant of biblical principles, and were hungry for the things of God. For the most part, their ministers were functionally biblically illiterate, and had little interest in the deeper things of God. Click here to read more...

Chapter 6: Why Elders where Chosen to Bring Direction to God's People

In the early days of Moses leading the people of God, he was the one that the people went to for all their spiritual answers. In their minds, that was his job; it was they "paid him to do!" Every day, Moses spent his time with the people, listening to their problems, helping them run their families, making their decisions for them, and basically spending his time and energies like many modern Pastors. We don’t find Moses complaining too much about it. It was all he knew to do, and besides the people expected him to spend his days talking to them and listening to them. And, here is what happened... Click here to read more...

Chapter 7: Being a leader Carries Heavier Judgment

God chooses His leaders. Moses didn't go out looking to be a leader. He tried every way to get out of it. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29). If you are called, you are called! You can still go to hell if you are disobedient. Those in this position will be judged much more strictly than others. The Bible says, "Don't every one of you desire to be teachers." Why? The judgment that you are going to be under is going to be more severe. Click here to read more...

Chapter 8: Some Basic Principles from Acts 15 & 16

The decisions weren’t made by popular vote. The people were allowed to witness and hear the discussion, but the discussion wasn’t held by the people. It was the Elders who held the discussion and brought forth Scriptural principles in deciding what had to be done. It is very clear that the discussion and the decision making wasn't done by the congregations or the richest or the most vocal members of any of the congregations. Click here to read more...

Chapter 9: Spiritual Authority and it's Limits: Principle of a Theocracy

The church does not belong to a denomination. A church may be affiliated with, connected to, in fellowship with a denomination, but no church “belongs” to a denomination. The church, the ministry, doesn't belong to the denomination, to the official board, to the deacons, to the pastor or to any other human entity. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. Click here to read more...

Chapter 10: Follow the Leader...

Leadership is about setting the example for the congregation. A Leader should be able to say as the Apostle Paul, "You follow me as I follow Jesus (I Corinthians 11:1)." A true leader, no matter how old or young he is, will feel impelled to set the example for the other believers to follow. Click here to read more...

Chapter 11: The Source of Authority in the Body of Christ

What is the source of authority in your church? The source of authority for the church is NOT the denominational handbook, book of discipline or any other manmade document. These may be excellent guidelines, and may offer some administrative helps for churches to operate by. But, they are only to be followed where they do not contradict or demean Scripture. Click here to read more...

Chapter 12: Examples from the Book of Acts

The first acts of spiritual leadership in the Book of Acts are found in Acts 1:15-26. The Apostles recognized the need for spiritual leadership and made it a priority to fill the gap left by Judas Iscariot. The whole issue of Judas Iscariot was a factor in spiritual leadership. There will always be those who seem otherwise qualified but lack the godly character of the true spiritual leader. Click here to read more...

Chapter 13: The Pastor and his Paycheck

In many circles, it’s common to pay a Pastor as little as possible for his labors for the Lord. The church expects him to be available for prayer and counsel day and night, seven days a week, as well as to produce two or more messages that are on the same level with those professionally written messages they hear by national ministries on TV. And they want him to do this on a pittance, holding his hat in his hands and begging when he has to meekly confess that he can’t support his family on the little bit that the church provides. Click here to read more...

Extra Lessons

Extra lessons on understanding spiritual leadership, the principles of servant-hood, ministry gifts, the qualifications of deacons and elders and more. Click here to read more...

IMPORTANT: Constitution & By Laws

This is a legal must-have for every church! Very important! Click here to read more...

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Ministry & Church Government in 13 Lessons: Taken from the book "Biblical Church Government" by Dr. Steven Davis Chapter 1: The Church as a Body Using the Bible as the guide for belief and practice, how is a local church body supposed to be operated? Is it to be run like a business, with officers, directors, chairmen of the board? Can it be run without a Statement of Purpose, Mission Statement, and Written Statement of Vision? Is it administered like a club, with rules, membership qualifications and officers? Or, is it patterned more like a democratic republic, where the majority rules, through elections and popular vote? How much authority and credibility is invested in the denominational Discipline and the local church's Constitution and By-Laws? Click here to read more... Chapter 2: How the Idea of the Church as a Democracy Evolved What happens when we lay aside God’s biblical principles and use a worldly or carnal religious model for operating the church? When the principles of God's word are laid aside in the day to day operations of a church, it is inevitable that extraneous problems and struggles will arise. When church leadership thinks that sound doctrine only pertains to the messages delivered from the pulpit, the next step is to attempt to fulfill God’s calling for His church by other methods. This is where management principles taken from business models are dressed up in church clothes and used as a means to govern. Click here to read more... Chapter 3: The Church as God's Flock The Apostle Peter addressed a section in his first epistle specifically to the elders (presbuteros, "presbyters", or "senior officers") in the five cities that the letter was circulated to. He gave them exhortations concerning their responsibilities and relationship to the people they were ministering to. Peter spoke to them first as a fellow elder (sumpresbuteros, "copresbyter"). He then established his apostolic authority by reminding them that he was one of the original apostles and had seen Jesus crucified. He was one of the first to see Jesus after He was raised from the dead. Peter calls himself a partaker (koinonos, "sharer" or "partner") of Christ's glory, probably referring to the Mount of Transfiguration where he had personally witnessed Jesus being transfigured and had directly heard the voice of God. Click here to read more... Chapter 4: Principles for Recognizing Elders Many churches, denominations and movements don’t use the title, “Elder.” Some quasi-Christian movements DO use the title. Just because a movement does not use the title “elder” to designate their senior leaders, it does not mean that they are missing the mark biblically. And, just because a man comes in with the title of Elder, does not mean that he is an Elder at all, by scriptural functionality and office. The title is not as important as the functionality of the office of Elder. Click here to read more... Chapter 5: How this is Not at All like the Old " Shepherding Movement" How did this teaching find people to buy into it? First of all, many of the early adherents to the charismatic movement were from mainline denominations where the ministry was basically a “hireling” ministry. In other words, their pastors, ministers, priests were placed in their churches by a hierarchy, and would be with the people for so long as the denominational oversight deemed that he should be there. A large portion of these people were ignorant of biblical principles, and were hungry for the things of God. For the most part, their ministers were functionally biblically illiterate, and had little interest in the deeper things of God. Click here to read more... Chapter 6: Why Elders where Chosen to Bring Direction to God's People In the early days of Moses leading the people of God, he was the one that the people went to for all their spiritual answers. In their minds, that was his job; it was they "paid him to do!" Every day, Moses spent his time with the people, listening to their problems, helping them run their families, making their decisions for them, and basically spending his time and energies like many modern Pastors. We don’t find Moses complaining too much about it. It was all he knew to do, and besides the people expected him to spend his days talking to them and listening to them. And, here is what happened... Click here to read more... Chapter 7: Being a leader Carries Heavier Judgment God chooses His leaders. Moses didn't go out looking to be a leader. He tried every way to get out of it. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29). If you are called, you are called! You can still go to hell if you are disobedient. Those in this position will be judged much more strictly than others. The Bible says, "Don't every one of you desire to be teachers." Why? The judgment that you are going to be under is going to be more severe. Click here to read more... Chapter 8: Some Basic Principles from Acts 15 & 16 The decisions weren’t made by popular vote. The people were allowed to witness and hear the discussion, but the discussion wasn’t held by the people. It was the Elders who held the discussion and brought forth Scriptural principles in deciding what had to be done. It is very clear that the discussion and the decision making wasn't done by the congregations or the richest or the most vocal members of any of the congregations. Click here to read more... Chapter 9: Spiritual Authority and it's Limits: Principle of a Theocracy The church does not belong to a denomination. A church may be affiliated with, connected to, in fellowship with a denomination, but no church “belongs” to a denomination. The church, the ministry, doesn't belong to the denomination, to the official board, to the deacons, to the pastor or to any other human entity. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. Click here to read more... Chapter 10: Follow the Leader... Leadership is about setting the example for the congregation. A Leader should be able to say as the Apostle Paul, "You follow me as I follow Jesus (I Corinthians 11:1)." A true leader, no matter how old or young he is, will feel impelled to set the example for the other believers to follow. Click here to read more... Chapter 11: The Source of Authority in the Body of Christ What is the source of authority in your church? The source of authority for the church is NOT the denominational handbook, book of discipline or any other manmade document. These may be excellent guidelines, and may offer some administrative helps for churches to operate by. But, they are only to be followed where they do not contradict or demean Scripture. Click here to read more... Chapter 12: Examples from the Book of Acts The first acts of spiritual leadership in the Book of Acts are found in Acts 1:15-26. The Apostles recognized the need for spiritual leadership and made it a priority to fill the gap left by Judas Iscariot. The whole issue of Judas Iscariot was a factor in spiritual leadership. There will always be those who seem otherwise qualified but lack the godly character of the true spiritual leader. Click here to read more... Chapter 13: The Pastor and his Paycheck In many circles, it’s common to pay a Pastor as little as possible for his labors for the Lord. The church expects him to be available for prayer and counsel day and night, seven days a week, as well as to produce two or more messages that are on the same level with those professionally written messages they hear by national ministries on TV. And they want him to do this on a pittance, holding his hat in his hands and begging when he has to meekly confess that he can’t support his family on the little bit that the church provides. Click here to read more... Extra Lessons Extra lessons on understanding spiritual leadership, the principles of servant-hood, ministry gifts, the qualifications of deacons and elders and more. Click here to read more... IMPORTANT: Constitution & By Laws This is a legal must-have for every church! Very important! Click here to read more... www.STEVEDAVIS.ORG FREE Podcast \| Constitution & Bylaws YOU need! \| Contact All images & content are subject to copyright SteveDavis.org TM	Home Your Tough Questions Answered Leadership Challenges, Skills & Tips Ministry & Church Government The Constitution & Bylaws You Need! Get Them Organizing & Functioning Leadership in The Lord's Churches Who is Dr. Steve Davis? Dr. Steve Davis in the News CDs, DVDs, eBooks & Merchandise FREE Podcast! Links