LEADING THE LOCAL CHURCH

(From the Mailbox)

--Bob Deffinbaugh

Dear Friend,

If there were nothing in the Bible about the church and the way it is led then it would not be important. But the fact is that the church is the culmination of God’s purpose from all eternity:

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:16-18, NAU).

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:18-23, NAU).

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:8-21).

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27).

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything (Colossians 1:15-18).

but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

Among other things, the church. . .

Is God’s appointed means of discipline (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5).

Is God’s appointed means for worship, including communion (1 Corinthians 11:17ff.).

Prayer and healing for the sick (James 5:14).

Is God’s pattern for marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Is God’s means for edification and instruction, and a place for believers to exercise their spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:8-16; 1 Corinthians 14).

 God takes inappropriate and sinful conduct in His church (Acts 5:1-11; Corinthians 3:10-17; 11:23-34, note especially verses 29-30).

 If the church is so important to God, then surely leadership is crucial. Our Lord’s method of leadership (shepherding) is vastly different from that which we see in this world:

 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." 24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:20-28).

 Consequently, shepherding (the term often used for leadership), is to be different from that of our world, and patterned after the leadership of our Lord (John 10:1-18). This is in great contrast to the leadership of ungodly men (see Ezekiel 34). Jesus strongly condemned the leaders of the Jews of His day (Matthew 23). Paul warned of the dangers in leadership which the church would face (Acts 20:17-38). Peter told elders how they should lead (1 Peter 5:1-4). Dictatorial leaders, like Diotrephes, were clearly condemned (3 John 9-11), while godly leaders are commended (3 John 5-8, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18). Paul exhorts the church regarding faithful leaders, and those who sin (1 Timothy 5:17-20; Galatians 6:6). Hebrews also speaks about leaders (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

 In short, church leadership is important because it is important to God, and it is frequently addressed in the Bible.

 I would conclude that it is true that little is taught these days on the subject of the church and its leadership, but this not because the Bible has nothing to say about it. It is, rather, because God’s way of leading is not the world’s way, and all too often, the church is led according to secular wisdom, rather than God’s revelation in His Word. That is why we believe the ministry of Biblicaleldership.com is so important.

www.BiblicalEldership.com