church structure

In this episode, Lance Ford discusses the need to re-examine traditional views of Christian leadership and put Jesus back in his rightful place as head of the church. He traces the evolution of modern leadership theory and its influence on churches. Ford and host Joshua Johnson explore biblical models of servant leadership and equipping others. We emphasize distributing responsibility throughout the body of Christ rather than relying on a few individuals. This thought-provoking conversation challenges listeners to reflect on how they can organize churches to maximize the flow of wisdom from Christ as head into every member.

With over three decades experience as a pastor and church planter, Lance Ford is a writer, coach, and consultant who has designed unique training systems currently being used by networks, seminaries, and leaders throughout the world. He has written many articles for Christianity Today, Outreach Magazine, Relevant, and others as well as co-founded the Sentralized Conference. His books include UnLeader, The Starfish and The Spirit, Missional Essentials, The Missional Quest, Next Door as It Is In Heaven, and others. His newest book is The Atlas Factor.

Lance's Book:
The Atlas Factor

Lance's Recommendations:
The Making of Biblical Womanhood
The Scandal of Leadership

Connect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.us

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Go to sermon webpage: BEAUTIFUL CHURCH

Great conversion with Pastor Tim Christoson on his experience with Church Structure, the impotence of organization, how to utilize a volunteer base, and discerning God's Will for our lives. This conversation is super practical and incredibly helpful. 

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5 Fold Ministry: What is it and why does it matter? Get the basics on this extremely valuable God given gift of church structure. 

"We're a small church, so we don't have time to improve."

On a recent phone call with a pastor, this is a statement we heard.

And we regularly hear a lot of pastors of smaller churches express similar sentiments as they feel like the day-to-day of ministry dominates their schedule. 

But here's the reality: If you feel like you don't have enough time for what's most important, it's not because of your church's size. It's because of your church's structure. 

Join our team this week on the podcast for a conversation on 5 reasons churches get to a place in ministry where they can honestly say, "We don't have time to improve."

Check out this episode's show notes.

Austin's Social Media Game: We want to get to know you better! We're starting a new tradition this week at the start of our episodes of answering one random question. But we need your participation: So this week, send us your answer (on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn) to the questions, "If you had to get rid of one fast food restaurant because it's the worst, what would you choose? And if you had to get rid of all fast food restaurants except for one because it's the best, which one would you choose?"

Who are "the women" in 1 Timothy 3:11? Are these female deacons in a role identical to the male deacons described earlier? Are these women who help deacons in the execution of their role? Are these the wives of deacons? Are these the wives of deacons and elders? In this lesson, we examine these questions and also the qualifications of these women.

This lesson examines the Scriptures that describe the role and function of deacons in the New Testament church. We study Acts 6 as an example of the definition of the role and general qualifications for deacons, along with the full list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3.

1 Peter 5 provides great exhortation and encouragement to elders to “shepherd the flock…with eagerness…being examples to the flock” with the hope of great reward from the Chief Shepherd.

This passage has much to say concerning the way in which the local church is to relate to her elders. What does it mean to give “double honor” to elders who lead well? How do we determine appropriate compensation for elders? How do we protect elders from false accusations while at the same time protecting the church from sinful, abusive, greedy, or otherwise unqualified leaders? In what circumstances is it appropriate for an elder to be restored to office?

In this lesson, we review the qualifications for elders in Titus 1 and treat the subject of the process of examination, testing, and qualification of elders.

The list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 continues with “not pugnacious,” “considerate,” “peaceable,” “free from the love of money,” “leading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity,” “not a new convert,” and having “a good reputation with those outside the church.” We also begin a review of qualifications in Titus 1, with emphasis on “having faithful children” and the question of whether an elder may have unbelieving children.

Examination of the Biblical qualifications of elders continues with “temperate,” “sensible,” “respectable,” “hospitable,” “able to teach,” and “not addicted to wine.” We look at the meaning of each of the words and flesh out how those qualifications are applied to elders. 

Of all the specific topics around eldership discussed in scripture, the Spirit gives the vast majority of His attention to the issue of qualification. Why is the qualification of elders so important? In this lesson, we continue to examine the qualifications for eldership given to the church in 1 Timothy 3, examining the meaning of “above reproach,” and “one-woman man.” 

In this lesson, we begin a detailed survey of the qualifications for elders, first from 1 Timothy 3. What does it mean to aspire to and desire the work and office of an elder? Is this the first qualification? What if an elder loses that desire? 

Why is there so little written to (and about) elders in the general epistles? How should believers relate to their elders? What should elders do for those under their care? We see in this brief survey of eldership in these passages that believers are to esteem those elders that diligently perform their roles of loving leadership and effective teaching.

Continuing in Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders, this lesson focuses on the work of the elder, those specific activities in which the elder is to toil for the sake of the church body; diligent study of the Scriptures, and regular, consistent prayer for the flock, guarding the flock against sin and false teaching. These things are to be done with the proper attitude, motivation, and diligence.

We see in the events around the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 the role of elders in combating false teaching and how elders approach the clarification of an important doctrinal issue that has major impacts on the spiritual condition of their local church bodies. In addition, the passage gives us clarity on Biblical ecclesiastical organization, with no higher authority apparent than the eldership of the churches involved. In Acts 20, Paul gives his most direct teaching to elders, exhorting them to guard their own hearts and the flock that is under their shepherding care. 

The book of Acts provides significant teaching regarding the role, organization, appointment, roles, methodology, and accountability of elders in the church. In this lesson, we begin an examination of the relevant passages in Acts and come to an initial understanding of the Biblical model of a plurality of elders, examining in the process several apparent exceptions that serve to clarify how plurality worked in the early church. We also see the Biblical method for the appointment of elders.

Honorifics and Biblical Eldership: Should you refer to an elder as Pastor Jim or Reverend Cornel? What is the Biblical evidence for honorifics, and what does that tell us about the role of the elder? What about other offices that are mentioned in the New Testament – apostle, evangelist, deacon, and “the women” of 1 Timothy 3:11? What is the Biblical model for church government? How does a plurality of elders work in the real world? Who’s in charge?