In a spiritual world of quick fixes and vague emotion, is it crazy to believe there is still a place for insights based on simple, basic, theological understanding. I believe it is worth exploring.
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Monday, November 9, 2015
A Touch of Humor - Point of Agreement
What are the basic principles of church government? What concepts should be avoided?
I guess it depends on a person's definition of church. The most complex definition is probably the universal church comprised of all Christians. The simplest is the idea that Jesus is present where two or three is gathered in his name.
That said, I suspect you are thinking about a "local" church which is hardly ever local in the sense that it is comprised of people from a local community. More often than not these expressions are made up of Christians that adhere, socially or theologically, to a particular biblical point of view.
I digress. To answer the question that I think that you are asking, I would say that people who support the church with their resources share in the leadership of it. Those who exercise teaching gifts should be led at times by those with administrative gifts. And ones with helping gifts should have a leadership voice as well. The problem with this model is that it is messy and does not fit into our American corporate model where one person is the chief executive and all other leaders report to that person.
I agree that Biblical picture is one of a body where different people contribute in different ways based on their gifts. And you are right this does not fit the American corporate model. Or the traditional strong clergy-laity distinction.
I guess it depends on a person's definition of church. The most complex definition is probably the universal church comprised of all Christians. The simplest is the idea that Jesus is present where two or three is gathered in his name.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I suspect you are thinking about a "local" church which is hardly ever local in the sense that it is comprised of people from a local community. More often than not these expressions are made up of Christians that adhere, socially or theologically, to a particular biblical point of view.
I digress. To answer the question that I think that you are asking, I would say that people who support the church with their resources share in the leadership of it. Those who exercise teaching gifts should be led at times by those with administrative gifts. And ones with helping gifts should have a leadership voice as well. The problem with this model is that it is messy and does not fit into our American corporate model where one person is the chief executive and all other leaders report to that person.
I agree that Biblical picture is one of a body where different people contribute in different ways based on their gifts. And you are right this does not fit the American corporate model. Or the traditional strong clergy-laity distinction.
Delete