What is the Church
Church
ekklesia
(ek-klay-see'-ah)
A called out assembly, Christian
community on earth or in heaven or both
What is the Church
Invisible
Mystical Christianity
Visible
Organizational Christianity
Body of Christ
Members
The Visible Church or Organizational Christianity
Assembly of professing believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been
baptized and who are organized to accomplish the Lord’s will.
1 – Those who make a profession of faith in Christ
2 – Those who have submitted to believers Baptism
3 – Those who have been organized according to scripture
4 – Those who assemble to do the Lord’s will
Leadership Offices in the NT Church
Deacons diakonos (dee-ak-on-os)
To be an attendant, that is, wait upon, technically to act as a Christian
deacon
1Tim 3:8-10
Elders presbuteros (pres-boo-ter-os)
Specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist, or Christian “presbyter” elder
1Tim 5:17-20 1Peter 5:1,5
Bishop episkopos (ep-is-kop-os)
A superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the)
church (literally or figuratively) bishop, overseer.
Phil 1:1
1Tim3:1-2
Titus 1:7
Historical forms of Church Government
1 – Minimal Government
2 – National Church
3 - Episcopal or Hierarchical Government
4 – Presbyterian or Federal Government
5 – Congregational Government
6 – Elder form of Government
7 – Senior Pastor form of Government
1 – Minimal Government
Prominence on the headship of Christ, organization is at a
minimum, led by small group of Elders, no single minister,
emphasis on the spiritual gifts, privileges, and rights of all
members.
Christ the Head
Elders, Laity
2 – National Church
Organization of Churches under the head of state which exercises
a considerable amount of control over the Church.
Examples are Anglican Church of England, Lutheran
Church of Germany
Christ the Head
State Head
Bishops
Elders
Deacons
Laity
3 - Episcopal or Hierarchical Government
(Bishops / Episkopos)
In the Hierarchical system the ruling body is made up of the
clergy organized into orders or ranks, each being subordinate to the one
above it which are in Apostolic succession.
Episcopal Church
Christ the Head
Bishops
Elders
Roman Catholic Church
Christ the Head
Pope
College of Cardinals
Deacons
Bishops
Laity
Priests
Laity
4 – Presbyterian or Federal Government
(Elder / Presbuteros)
In this system the church is led by a representative form of Government
Examples Presbyterian and Reformed Churches
Christ the Head
General Assembly (High Court)
Synod (Distric Court)
Presbytery (Representitives of session)
Session (Pastor/Elders)
Laity
5 – Congregational Government
Authority for governing rests with the members, each Church is
autonomous officers of the church are elected by the members.
Example of this model is the Baptist.
Christ the Head
Laity/Elders/Decons
6 – Elder form of Government (modified Epsicopal)
In this system the pastor is a fellow elder ruling with the board of
elders. Elders may be appointed by the current elder board or elected by
the members. The deacon board is subordinate to the elder board.
Several independent churches use this system
Christ the Head
Elders Board
Deacon Board
Laity
7 – Senior Pastor form of Government (modified Epsicopal)
This system the Pastor is ruled over by the Lord and recognized by the
congregation as God’s instrument to lead the church. The Senior Pastor
is assisted by the elders and deacons with the church being autonomous.
This system is popular with independent and community churches.
Christ the Head
Senior Pastor
Elders/Deacons
Laity