What does the Bible say about Church Leadership?
(Jeremiah 3:15) “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
(1 Corinthians 1:21) “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Specifically, why do we have roles such as a shepherd, teacher, pastor, elder? And in so investigating the why behind those roles, can we come to a conclusion as to what the LORD is looking for in an obedient Shepherd and Flock?
(2 Timothy 2:15) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
It will be my aim to encourage you, the flock, that in light of my studying to show myself approved before God (not man), that I take my responsibility seriously that the appointed coarse set before me is one that I am attuned with to unashamedly and rightly divide the Word of God – and not for my benefit, but to the benefit of the flock, the body of Christ, in order to bring paramount honor and glory to our God.
With the table set thusly before us, we will be looking at a number of passages from the Bible to indicate God’s plan and design.
- Namely, that besides the infallible word of God in the Bible, the church is to be led, underneath that infallible word, by fallible elders — sometimes called pastors or teachers, and in our case, the term shepherd has been appointed — who are gifted to lead and to teach the flock.
- Then, we ask the question why: Why did God set it up that way, so that the members of the flock (church), who have in their hand an infallible Bible, should listen to and respect and esteem and follow and rejoice in the ministry of the word through fallible preaching?
Part 1: God’s plan.
Shepherds for the Flock
Consider the direct and indirect commands given in:
(Ephesians 4:11-12) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
Overseer, Elder, Pastor – these are three that are seen as one in Scripture (G4245)
Strong’s: pres-boo’-ter-os
Comparative of πρέσβυς presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”: – elder (-est), old.
Thyer 2b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably
(1 Peter 5:1-5) “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. {5} Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
So, what’s direct and clear in this passage is that the risen Christ intends for churches to have pastors and teachers (and other offices) that, through their preaching and teaching, they equip the saints to do the work of the ministry and build themselves up in love and faith. The indirect command here is that the saints would be members of churches that submit to the fallible leadership of said offices. That’s the divine plan.
How do we know that God wants us to be under the fallible teaching of a particular teacher/preacher? Why not float from church to church, learning from many different pastors or shepherds?
At the end of Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he addresses both the members of the house churches and those who are leading them.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Paul gives two instructions to the members of the church:
First, to KNOW them who shepherd you:
“{12} And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Second, to love them greatly, which will bring peace amongst the congregation:
{13} And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
Next, Paul specifically speaks to them which labour among the members; the teachers and pastors. While all members of the body of Christ should hold these commands, they are uniquely directed to those charged with shepherding:
(1 Thessalonians 5:14-22)
Now, to the shepherds, much is required. Twelve things listed, to be exact:
{14} Now we exhort you, brethren,
- warn them that are unruly,
- comfort the feebleminded,
- support the weak,
- be patient toward all men.
- {15} See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
- {16} Rejoice evermore.
- {17} Pray without ceasing.
- {18} In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
- {19} Quench not the Spirit.
- {20} Despise not prophesyings. <— (Preaching?)
- {21} Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- {22} Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Strong’s Definition:
From G4396 (“prophecy”); prediction (scriptural or other): – prophecy, prophesying.
Thayer Definition (G4394):
1) prophecy
1a) a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; especially by foretelling future events
1b) Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets
1b1) of the prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the prophetic faculty is due
1b2) of the endowment and speech of the Christian teachers called prophets
1b3) the gifts and utterances of these prophets, especially of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ
Here’s the Apostle Paul writing to the Thessalonians and handing off a large measure of responsibility for the ministry of the Word of God within the church. He’s entrusting it to fallible people. He’s telling the teachers how to minister the Word, and he’s telling the members how to receive the Word and how to respect the teachers.
This always takes me to (2 Timothy 2:1-2) “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. {2} And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Paul is constantly instructing Timothy to feed the sheep.
(1 Timothy 4:12-16) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. {13} Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. {14} Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. {15} Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. {16} Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Then consider what Paul says to the young shepherd Timothy, whom Paul had left behind as a pastor in Ephesus,
(2 Timothy 4:1-2) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; {2} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
In season: convenient, friendly opportunities, in church.
Out of season: inconvenient, in rebuke, when in danger.
That’s just such a clear command to Timothy: “Preach.”
The question isn’t whether or not the church wants to be preached to (because, after all, they have the INFALLIBLE Word of God, the letter to Ephesus from Paul, at their fingertips)…
The question is whether God, in his perfect, sovereign will, is telling them to listen to Timothy preach the word. He’s saying, “Timothy, preach the word.” And God intends for people to hear the word preached if he commands his pastors to preach the word. 1 Timothy 4:14 says that it is the very congregation that affirmed the word from God that Timothy shepherd that flock, it is they who need shepherding and he that shall shepherd.
The New Testament is rife with even more passages than cited thus far that are plain examples of the need to institute the God-given hierarchy that we have been following. This is no small doctrine to consider when approaching the Creator’s tabernacle to worship in obedience. Consider the following NT books where such exhortations, guidance for the care of a flock, and instructions are mentioned:
The Gospels (where Jesus’ commands come directly from Him)
Acts
Romans
1 & 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Colossians
Philippians
1 & 2 Thessalonians – some mentioned above
1 & 2 Timothy – some mentioned above
Titus – I left you in Crete to set up elders, bishops, etc
Hebrews
James – if any be sick, let them call for the elders of the church
1 & 2 John
Jude
Revelation
Philemon may be the only book where it is not outright mentioned, however, the inference is certainly there that there be leadership installed.
We haven’t even touched the OT.
Next let us consider the reasons that the Bible gives us as to why we follow these commands. Click to read Part 2.
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