a biblical vision for gospel-centred - elders &...

Abiblicalvisionforgospel-centredpastoralleadershipteams

MurraySmith

Introduction:AtaleoftwochurchesStAndrewsPresbyterianChurchBlogsville

Grace City Redemption Community Church on a Hill

• InhisWord,Godgivesusavisionforpastoralleadershipinwhich ateamofshepherdsleadseachchurchinitsgospel-centredmission.

• ATheologicalVisionforthePresbyterianChurchofAustraliainNSWandtheACT• ChurchescentredonthegospelofChrist• ChurchesmadeupofChristianstrustinginChristandlivingforGod’sglory• ChurchesledbyteamsofShepherdsandServants• Churchesworkingtogetheringospel-centredmission

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• 1.1TheLordJesusleadshischurch• the‘head’ofthechurch,his‘body’(Eph1.10,22-23;5.23,27,32;Col1.18)• the‘husband’ofthechurch,his‘bride’(Eph5.25-33)• the‘cornerstone’ofthechurch,his‘temple’(Eph2.20;cf.1Cor3.11;1Pet2.1-8)• the‘truevine’inwhichallofthe‘branches’ofthechurchfindtheirlifeandbearfruit(Jn15.1-11)• the‘GoodShepherd’,‘ChiefShepherd’or‘GreatShepherd’ofthechurch,his‘flock’(John10.14;1Pet5.4;Heb13.20).

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch

• Hedoesn’tleavetheleadershiptoothers

• Hedoesn’tleadwithoutothers

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• 1.2TheLordappointsunder-shepherdsandunder-servants• Theapostles:extraordinaryunder-shepherds

• 18“AndItellyou,youarePeter,andonthisrockIwillbuildmychurch,andthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit.19Iwillgiveyouthekeysofthekingdomofheaven,andwhateveryoubindonearthshallbeboundinheaven,andwhateveryoulooseonearthshallbeloosedinheaven.”

Matthew 16.18-19

• “Truly,Isaytoyou,whateveryoubindonearthshallbeboundinheaven,andwhateveryoulooseonearthshallbeloosedinheaven.”

Matthew 18.18

•18AndJesuscameandsaidtothem,“Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.19Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,20teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou.Andbehold,Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage.”

Matthew 28.18-20

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• Theapostles’uniquerole:• Directcalling• Uniquequalificationaseyewitnesses• “First”inauthority• Foundationaltask• Universaljurisdiction

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• Eldersanddeacons:“ordinaryandperpetual”under-shepherdsandservants• “JESUSCHRIST,uponwhoseshouldersthegovernmentis …beingascendedupfaraboveallheavens,thathemightfillallthings,receivedgiftsforhischurch,andgaveofficersnecessary fortheedificationofhischurch,andperfectingofhissaints…TheofficerswhichChristhathappointed fortheedificationofhischurch,andtheperfectingofthesaints,are,someextraordinary,asapostles,evangelists,andprophets,whichareceased.Othersordinaryandperpetual,aspastors,teachers,andotherchurch-governors,anddeacons.”

Form of Presbyterial Church Government, Preface and §3

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• i.TheLordJesusgivespastors,andtheHolySpiritappointseldersandoverseers,forthechurch• 11SoChristhimselfgavetheapostles,theprophets,theevangelists,thepastorsandteachers,12toequiphispeopleforworksofservice,sothatthebodyofChristmaybebuiltup.

Ephesians 4.11-12

• 28KeepwatchoveryourselvesandalltheflockofwhichtheHolySpirithasmadeyouoverseers.BeshepherdsofthechurchofGod,whichheboughtwithhisownblood.

Acts 20.28


• ii.EldersleadGod’schurchinboththeoldandnewcovenantperiods• 5 Thenextdaytherulers,theeldersandtheteachersofthelawmetinJerusalem…23Ontheirrelease,PeterandJohnwentbacktotheirownpeopleandreportedallthatthechiefpriestsandtheelders hadsaidtothem.

Acts 4.5, 23

• 6Theapostlesandeldersmettoconsiderthisquestion…thentheapostlesandelders,withthewholechurch,decided…

Acts 15.6

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• iii.Theapostlesappointed“eldersinevery church”,andeldersdidinfactleadmanyofthechurchesaddressedbytheapostlesPaul,PeterandJamesacrossdiversegeographicalregions

23 When they had appointed elders for them in every churchand prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 14.21-23

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• EldersinJewishandGentilechurchesacrosswidegeographicalregions:• Jerusalem: Acts11.30;15.2-6,22-23;16.4• Ephesus:Acts20.17;1Timothy5.17• Pontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,Asia,Bithynia: 1Peter5.1-4• ThemultiplechurchesaddressedbyJames: James5.14• Possibly: Rome(Romans12.8);Thessalonica(1Thesis5.12);churchesaddressedbyHebrews(hebrews13.7,17,24)


• Eldersworkingundertheauthorityoftheapostles:• TheapostlePaul:Philippians1.1

• TheapostlePeter:1Peter5.1-4

• TheapostleJames:James5.14

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• iv.TheapostlePaulprovidesuniversalandenduringregulationsfortheofficesofelder/overseeranddeacon

• ThereasonIleftyouinCretewasthatyoumightputinorderwhatwasleftunfinishedandappointeldersineverytown, asIdirectedyou.

Titus 1.5


• 15Hereisa trustworthysaying thatdeservesfullacceptance:ChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinners—ofwhomIamtheworst.

1 Timothy 1.15

• 11 Hereisatrustworthysaying: Ifwediedwithhim,wewillalsolivewithhim;12ifweendure,wewillalsoreignwithhim…

2 Timothy 2.11-13

• 1Hereisatrustworthysaying:Whoeveraspirestobeanoverseerdesiresanobletask.

1 Timothy 3.1


• 14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1 Timothy 3.14-15

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• v.Theapostlesappointedelderstopromotethegospelinthemidstofoppositionandtoguardthegospelagainstfalseteaching• 21They(PaulandBarnabas)preachedthegospelinthatcityandwonalargenumberofdisciples.ThentheyreturnedtoLystra,IconiumandAntioch,22strengtheningthedisciplesandencouragingthemtoremaintruetothefaith.“WemustgothroughmanyhardshipstoenterthekingdomofGod,”theysaid.23PaulandBarnabasappointedeldersforthemineachchurchand,withprayerandfasting,committedthemtotheLord,inwhomtheyhadputtheirtrust.

Acts 14.21-23


• 28Keepwatch overyourselvesandalltheflockofwhichtheHolySpirithasmadeyouoverseers.BeshepherdsofthechurchofGod,whichheboughtwithhisownblood.29IknowthatafterIleave,savagewolveswillcomeinamongyouandwillnotsparetheflock. 30Evenfromyourownnumbermenwillariseanddistortthetruthinordertodrawawaydisciplesafterthem.31Sobeonyourguard! RememberthatforthreeyearsIneverstoppedwarningeachofyounightanddaywithtears.

Acts 20.28-31


• 5ThereasonIleftyouinCretewasthatyoumightputinorderwhatwasleftunfinishedandappointeldersineverytown …9He(an elder/overseer)mustholdfirmlytothetrustworthymessageasithasbeentaught,sothathecanencourageothersbysounddoctrine andrefutethosewhoopposeit.10 Fortherearemanyrebelliouspeople,fullofmeaninglesstalkanddeception,especiallythoseofthecircumcisiongroup.11Theymustbesilenced…

Titus 1.9-11

Part1.Thebiblicalframework:howtheLordJesusleadshischurch• TheclassicreformedandPresbyterianview

• “ScriptureindicatesanumberofministrieswhichGodhasgiventothechurchatdifferenttimes:apostles,prophets,elders,deaconsandevangelists.Today,ineachlocalchurchtherearetobeeldersanddeacons. Theeldersaretobepastors,overseersandexamplesandsomeofthemaretodevotethemselvestopreachingandteaching.Deaconsaretocareforthepoorandneedy,andtoseetothepractical,financialandfabricneedsofthechurch. Liketheeldership,thisisaspiritualofficerequiringspiritualqualities.”

WRF Statement of Faith 2010 §8.2


• AfullybiblicalchurchgovernmentisNOTpartofthegospel• AfullybiblicalchurchgovernmentisNOToneofthemarksofthetruechurch• AfullybiblicalchurchgovernmentisNOTameansofgrace• ScripturedoesNOTgiveallthedetailsofchurchgovernment


• WCF30.1.TheLordJesus,askingandheadofHisChurch,hasthereinappointedagovernment,inthehandofChurchofficers,distinctfromthecivilmagistrate.

• WCF1.6:“therearesomecircumstancesconcerning theworshipofGod,andgovernmentoftheChurch,commontohumanactionsandsocieties,whicharetobeorderedbythelightofnature,andChristianprudence,accordingtothegeneralrulesoftheWord,whicharealwaystobeobserved”


• ThebiblicalvisionforpastoralleadershipisaGodgivenmeansbywhichthechurchbestpursuesitsgospel-centredmission

• WCF30.1.TheLordJesus,askingandheadofHisChurch,hasthereinappointedagovernment,inthehandofChurchofficers• WCF30.2.Totheseofficersthekeysofthekingdomofheavenarecommitted;byvirtuewhereof,theyhavepower,respectively,toretain,andremitsins…bytheministryoftheGospel;andbyabsolutionfromcensures,asoccasionshallrequire.

The TrellisandtheVineColinMarshallandTonyPayne

Godhasgivenus,inhisword,thecentralstrutsofthetrellis

Part2.Thebiblicalvision:TeamsofShepherdsleadingeachchurchinitsgospel-centredmission

• 2.1Onepastoraloffice:theLordleadshischurchthroughteamsofShepherds• Elder=Overseer=Pastor/Shepherd• 17NowfromMiletus,hesenttoEphesusandsummonedtheelders ofthechurch…28BeonguardforyourselvesandforalltheflockofwhichtheHolySpirithasappointedyouasoverseers,toshepherd thechurchofGod,whichhepurchasedwithhisownblood.

Acts 20:17-28


• 1Iexhorttheelders amongyouasafellowelderandwitnesstothesufferingsofChrist,aswellasonewhosharesinthegloryabouttoberevealed:2Shepherd God’sflockamongyou,notoverseeingoutofcompulsionbutwillingly,asGodwouldhaveyou;notoutofgreedformoneybuteagerly;3notlordingitoverthoseentrustedtoyou,butbeingexamplestotheflock.4AndwhenthechiefShepherdappears,youwillreceivetheunfadingcrownofglory.

1 Peter 5:1-4


• SomeShepherdsmaygivethemselvesmorefullytotheworkofteachingandshouldbeespeciallyhonouredandsupported

• 17Lettheelderswhorulewellbeconsideredworthyofdoublehonour,especiallythosewholaborinthewordandteaching.18FortheScripturesays,“Youshallnotmuzzleanoxwhenittreadsoutthegrain,”and,“Thelabourerdeserveshiswages.”

1 Timothy 5.17-18


• AllShepherdsleadandteach• 2Anoverseermustbe abovereproach,thehusbandofonewife,sober-minded,self-controlled,respectable,hospitable,abletoteach …4Hemustmanage(=rule/lead) hisownhouseholdwell,withalldignitykeepinghischildrensubmissive,5forifsomeonedoesnotknowhowtomanage (=rule/lead) hisownhousehold,howwillhecareforGod’schurch?

1 Timothy 3.2-5


• SowhatshouldwecalltheseShepherdswho'vegivenupotherlabourinordertolabourintheword?• Ministers?• TeachingElders?• PaidandunpaidElders?

• DonCarson:“Somemakeasharpdistinctionbetweenteachingelderandrulingelder,basednotleaston1Timothy5:17.AsfarasIcansee,however,anelderisanelder/pastor/overseer,neverless,andeveryelder/pastor/overseermustbeabletoteach (1Tim3:2).”


• 2.2TeamsofShepherdsforeachchurch

• 23Whentheyhadappointedeldersforthemineverychurch andprayedwithfasting,theycommittedthemtotheLordinwhomtheyhadbelieved.

Acts 14.21-23


• ThereasonIleftyouinCretewastosetrightwhatwasleftundoneand,asIdirectedyou,toappointelders ineverytown.

Titus 1.5

•Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

Philippians 1.1


• Isanyoneamongyousick?Heshouldcallfortheelders ofthechurch,andtheyaretoprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord.

James 5.14

•Exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you.

1 Peter 5.1-2


• 2.3Threetasksandalife:Shepherdslead,teach,prayandmodellifeinChrist

TheGoodShepherd

Prophet(reveals)

Priest(reconciles)King(rules)

Hecallshisownsheepbynameandleadsthemout…4hegoesbeforethem,andthesheepfollowhim.John10.3-4

Mysheephearmyvoice,andIknowthem,andtheyfollowme.John10.27

Thegoodshepherdlaysdownhislifeforthesheep.John10.11


• Shepherdslead• 17Lettheelderswhorule(=lead)wellbeconsideredworthyofdoublehonour,especiallythosewholaborinthewordandteaching.

1 Tim 5.17

• 1Iexhorttheelders amongyou…2ShepherdGod’sflockamongyou,notoverseeingoutofcompulsionbutwillingly,asGodwouldhaveyou;notoutofgreedformoneybuteagerly; 3notlordingitoverthoseentrustedtoyou,butbeingexamplestotheflock.

1 Peter 5:1-4


• 4Hemustmanage(=rule/lead)hisownhouseholdcompetentlyandhavehischildrenundercontrolwithalldignity.5(Ifanyonedoesnotknowhowtomanage(=rule/lead) hisownhousehold,howwillhetakecareofGod’schurch?)

1 Tim 3.4-5


• LeadershipisabouttakingresponsibilityforcultivatingtheconditionsinwhichotherscangrowtomaturityinChrist.

• Leadershipteam

• TeamofLeaders


• Shepherdspreachandteach• 2Nowtheoverseeristobeabovereproach,thehusbandofonewife,temperate,self-controlled,respectable,hospitable,abletoteach,3notgiventodrunkenness,notviolentbutgentle,notquarrelsome,notaloverofmoney.

1 Tim 3.2-3

• 9He(theoverseer/elder)mustholdfirmlytothetrustworthymessage asithasbeentaught,sothathecanencourageothersbysounddoctrine andrefutethosewhoopposeit.

Titus 1.9


• Shepherdspray• We(Apostles)willdevoteourselvestoprayer andtotheministryoftheword.

Acts 6.4

• Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

James 5.14-15


• ShepherdsmodellifeinChrist

• 1Iexhorttheelders amongyou…2ShepherdGod’sflockamongyou…3notlordingitoverthoseentrustedtoyou, butbeingexamplestotheflock.4AndwhenthechiefShepherdappears,youwillreceivetheunfadingcrownofglory.

1 Peter 5:1-4

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