"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:11, 12.
"With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian church." —The Desire of Ages, p. 141.
(The importance of good leadership for the church is evident from the fact that Christ began His church by selecting and training the first leaders.)
You can look to your church leaders for guidance! You can receive help from their spiritual counsel! You can hold them in high regard for their work!
The chosen leaders of the church are to be men of prayer who know God's Word. As they proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, their ministry is to draw others to the Lord. The leadership, counsel, and direction will serve to bless the entire church.
In this lesson you will discover that—
LEADERSHIP GIFTS IN THE CHURCH
1. What leadership gifts does the Holy Spirit place in the church? 1 Corinthians 12:28.
1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV) And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Note: New International Version of the Bible uses the phrase "those with gifts of administration." The word Paul uses here for "administration" comes from a root meaning "to steer" or "to guide." Any fellowship or organization greatly needs persons having administrative abilities to help organize its activities, to counsel, to prepare plans, to direct, to maintain order, and to serve as public representatives of the group.
2. How long are these gifts to remain in the church? Ephesians 4:13.
Ephesians 4:13 (NIV) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
3. What were these early leaders called who were chosen to direct the churches? 1 Timothy 5:17.
1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV) The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Note: The term elder arose from the fact that in the ancient East only men who had attained in long maturity could command the respect necessary to be chosen by the people to represent them.
4. What special name indicated the function of the elder? Titus 1:7-9.
Titus 1:7-9 (NIV) Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8) Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9) He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Note: The term overseer evidently indicated the function of the office, while the name elder referred to the title of the office.
5. What other officers are mentioned as serving in the early church? 1 Timothy 3:8.
1 Timothy 3:8 (NIV) Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
6. What are the Bible qualifications for elders? 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2) Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3) not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4) He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7) He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
7. What are the requirements for a deacon? 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NIV) Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9) They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10) They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11) In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12) A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13) Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
8. How were the elders and deacons chosen in the early church? Acts 6:1-6; 14:23.
Acts 6:1-6 (NIV) In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3) Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4) and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5) This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6) They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Acts 14:23 (NIV) Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
9. How does the church accredit or ordain these leaders? Acts 13:3; 1 Timothy 4:14.
Acts 13:3 (NIV) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV) Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
The ceremony of the laying on of hands was an acknowledged form of designation to an appointed office and a recognition of one's authority in that office.
10. How should one respond when called to serve? Titus 2:7.
Titus 2:7 (NIV) In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
11. How do these leaders receive strength for their appointed service? 1 Timothy 1:12.
1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV) I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
12. What kind of respect should members give their leaders? 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV) Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13) Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
HERITAGE TIE
The Election of Adventist Leaders
The General Conference, as well as division, union and local conferences, and local churches all have their elected officers. The local churches hold elections annually. Local conferences hold sessions in frequency as their constitution and bylaws determine, with delegates present from each church, to elect officers and do future planning. Each delegate participates in the process. Union conference elections take place every five years, with delegates present from each local conference.
The General Conference session, which meets every five years, elects the officers of the General Conference and its divisions. Delegates from all the various divisions of the world attend this session. Each church member, either directly or by representative delegate, participates in the election process of all officers of the church, including those in the conference, union, division, and General Conference.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.