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LEARNING TO GOD'S WORK LESSON 4

Ministry Organization
TABLE OF CONTENT


ELDER

The English translation comes from the Hebrew word (OT) ' zaqen' , which means ' beard' . The Greek word (NT) 'prebyteros' which means 'older' person. The bible defines an Elder as an older, male/female person who was a leader in the tribe, town, or community. Remember that there were NO established churches until AFTER Christ ascended. And Elder is considered to be a wise one, an anointed helper of the Pastor, he/she is a Pastor's right hand.

BIBICAL FACTS CONCERNING ELDERS FROM THE OF TESTAMENT

  1. Elders led the Israelites during their slavery in Egypt --- Exodus 3:16
  2. Elders participated in leadership UNDER Moses before and after they left Egypt- Exodus 4:29
  3. Elders also helped in leadership during the centuries when Israel was ruled by Judges and the kings. The local elders would gather at city gates to discuss public affairs - Deut. 21:19; 22:15
  4. Elders witnessed business transactions - Ruth 4:9, 11
  5. Elders tried criminal cases - Deut. 19:12; 21:1-9

BIBLICAL FACTS CONCERNING ELDERS BEFORE CHRIST'S DEATH

The role of an Elder changed drastically while Christ was on earth. The bible refers to Elders in the Gospels (Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John) as only 70 who were members of SANHEDRIN, the council responsible for administering Jewish law and tradition.

  1. Elders were given authority by the Roman governments, not God
  2. Elders (Sanhedrin Council) were behind the arrest and trail of Jesus Christ

BIBLICAL FACTS CONCERNING ELDERS AFTER CHRIST'S ASCENSION

After Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension. The Apostles and 120 others received the Baptism (infilling of the Holy Ghost) and from that thousands were added to the church daily (Acts 2:41, 47) . This means that the original church started out with only 12 Apostles and thousands of people needing leadership. The Apostles knew that time was needed for newly saved people to develop, mature and grow into the ministry gifts . especially that of a Pastor/Shepherd . yet they were overwhelmed with how many people they had. To help the early Church and to give time for some to grow out of their babyhood stage of development, The Apostles began putting local (older) elders as overseers while the ministry developed. Many of these elders did mature and grow into the ministry gift/position of Pastor. A Pastor should set the elders in his/her Church (es), not the Church, a board, or a layperson

  1. Paul appointed Elders in he Galatians' Church - Acts 14:23
  2. Paul appointed Elders in the Ephesians Church - Acts 20:17
  3. Titus & Paul appointed Elders in Crete - Titus 1:5

BIBLICAL FACTS CONCERNING AN ELDER TODAY

  • •  The above problem (not enough mature Christians) does not exit today; therefore Elders Boards have no scriptural basis to run the church or the Pastor; they are under the Pastor; it is a position of training with the Under Shepherd.
  • •  An Elder is responsible to administer relief by responding to the believer's need (financially) - Acts 11:29-30
  • •  An Elder can correct error if given the authority by the Pastor - Act 15: 1-9; 23-30
  • •  An Elder hold fast the faithful Word of God w/out waving - Titus 1:5,9
  • •  An Elder is one way that a believer can be prayed for when sick - James 5:14-15

WHOEVER

WANTS TO

BECOME GREAT

AMONG YOU

MUST BE YOUR

SERVANT

MARK 10:43

BISHOP

The word Bishop comes from the Greek word EPISKOPOS, which is translated to mean an official title of an overseer. Men who were called out of the body of elders to this special work of oversight. (1 Timothy 3:1)\

  1. Nowhere can we find in the Word of God where Christ gave ' BISHOP' as a separate ministry gift than an Elder. An organized denomination may overlap the spiritual role of Apostle and Bishop. Both ministry 'titles' extend the church beyond one church wall.
  2. The relationship of bishops and elders has been widely debated over the years. Biblically it would be correct to say that the two terms are interchangeable, however we cannot ignore the fact that the ministry office TODAY of a bishop is distinctly different than that of an elder. Titus 1:5-9 is the only scripture, which mentions both terms, together. It begins with a direction that elders be appointed in every town and continues with the description of the qualifications for a bishop. You are left to conclude that the description and the qualifications refer to the same persons. What needs to be understood here though is that elders were spiritual leaders of the churches when this was written. We can assume (very carefully) that bishops began as certain elders were chosen out of the body of local elders to take on more responsibility. The elders who remained in the church stayed home, whereas bishops found it necessary as the early Church grew to attend to outside work to win over those who were lost. This necessitated visiting families in their own homes. Then, it became necessary to shepherd the sheep. Someone had to oversee or superintend the general work, thus the office of the Bishop was established.
  3. In acts, the term is found twice, one in reference to Judas, "his bishopric" (or overseership) let another take) - Acts 1:20 and second in Paul's address to the elders of Ephesus, he warns them to feed the church over which they have been made overseers or bishops - Acts 20:28
  4. Scriptures which may allude to bishops and their duties - Philemon 1:1;1 Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:7; and 1 Peter 2:25.

DECONS/DEACONESS

The word Deacon comes from the Greek word DIAKONON that means ' servant' . A deacon's main responsibility is to serve. A Deacon/Deaconess is a ' godly' leader who oversees the various helping ministries within the local church. This ministry office serves as relievers as they relieve the Pastor in assisting with the everyday needs of the people.

BIBLICAL FACTS CONCERNING THE DEACON

  • •  This office was given AFTER the day of Pentecost; the responsibility of the Apostles became overwhelming and the Deacons provided relief to the Apostles of their extensive workload. Stephen & Philip are two well-known New Testament Deacons; deacons should not be just be appointed. he/she should be tested (carefully studied) before they serve - Acts 6:2
  • •  The Deacon/Deaconess has a recognized position of leadership within the church - Acts 6 & Timothy 3:13
  • •  The Deacon/Deaconess is responsible for the daily distribution of food to the needy Acts 6
  • •  They have the responsibility to give ' love' service o those in prison - Matthew 25:44
  • •  They can give support to those in 'troubled' relationship - 1 Corinthians 12:5

".whoever would be

great among you must

be your servant

Mark 10:43"

GOVERNMENTS

1 Corinthians 12:28 , comes from the Greek word KUBEMEDIS which means ' to steer/guide' ; it is the management and/or overseeing of church business necessary to allow the church to supply it's members with the capabilities to function so that there may be a place of refuge.

  • •  Malachi 3:10
  • •  2 Corinthians 8:14-15 & 9:12
  • •  1 Timothy 6:18

God expects for us to be good stewards and in control of what He has blessed us with: Proverbs 22:29 & 27:33 - Acts 6:5-6

  1. Must be honest: 2 Corinthians 8:20-22
  2. Must keep their priorities straight: Acts 6:4 - Matthew 6:33-34

xxx Note: Remember, even Christ had a Treasurer. John 12: 3-6 & John 13:29

EXHORTERS

Romans 12:8 are individuals who have been anointed by God to encourage, stir up, or excite people into action. Acts 15:32

  1. This ministry office will make an appeal for the body to praise, worship, pray.
  2. In a broader sense it means to entreat, comfort or instruct _ Acts 4:36; Hebrews 10:25

GIVERS

Being called of God to the 'grace of giving' beyond the Word requires in tithes, vows, offering. Being called of God to distribute 'personal' finances/riches/wealth sacrificially, for the sake of the Gospel.. Know as the 'unspeakable gift'. To give out of the spirit of generosity. Romans 12:8

  1. Aid those who do not have resources themselves - 2 Corinthians 8:2-8, 9:11-13
  2. Is to be exercised without outward show or pride and with liberality -

2 Corinthians 1:12; 8:2; 9:11,13

MINISTRY OF HELPS

1 Corinthians 12:28 ; Individuals who are anointed and called of God to support and build the church . These individuals provide acts of aid, therefore it is ANY helpful act you can perform to aid the church or aid one another.

Biblical example: Lydia prepared Paul supper - Acts 16:14-15

Just to name a few:

1. Doing something specific for your minister - Matthew 10:40-42 to provide

2. Visitation

  1. Hospitality
  2. Office work
  3. Cleaning

2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:14-27

MINISTRY OF MUSIC

The anointing of God manifested through the talents and gifts given o man by song, dance, or instrument.

  • •  Ephesians 5:19
  • •  Colossians 3:16
  • •  Hebrews 2:12
  • •  James 5:13

*** Note: Remember when Elisha needed 'help' to minister to the three Kings he called a minstrel to 'help' him seek God. (2 Kings 3:15-16)

---SING PSALMS,

HYMNS AND

SPIRITUAL SONGS

WITH GRATITUDE

IN YOUR HEARTS

TO GOD

COLOSSIANS 3:16

LOOKING AHEAD ...

LESSON 3

THE GIFTS OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

WORD OF WISDOM

DISCERNING

GIFTS OF FAITH

GIFTS OF WORRING OF

MIRACLES

GIFTS OF HEALING

GIFT OF PROPHECY

GIFT OF UNKNOWN

TONGUES

GIFT OF INTERPRETATION

OF TONGUES

AND YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU ..
ACTS 1:8

 

TEST

NAME _____________________________

LEVEL 1 ASSIGNMENT 4

"MINISTRY GIFTS - A FINAL LOOK

DIRECTIONS: Please read each question carefully. All answers are from the book or scripted.

  1. True or False - You must be a senior citizen to be appointed an Elder in today's church.
  1. True or False - The word Elder does mean 'older' person.
  1. When did the role of an Elder drastically change? ________________________
  1. True or False - According to the bible Elder and Bishop are interchangeable.
  1. A Bishop is ________________ from the body of Elders to a special work of _________________?
  1. True or False - The ministry gift of a Bishop is clearly defined in the Bible.
  1. Deacons or Deaconesses are _______________ in every sense of the word.
  1. True or False - One who is called to the Ministry of Governments should be political-minded.
  1. True or False - Exhorters are needed to stir up the congregation in praise, worship or pray.
  1. True or False - Anyone who pays their tithes is operating in the Ministry of givers.
  1. True or False - Since ushers were not listed they are not under the Ministry of Helps.
  1. True or False - The congregation when singing is operation in the Ministry of music.

ANSWERS

LEVEL 1 ASSIGNMENT 4 Ministry gifts

  1. False --- Page THREE
  2. TRUE --- PAGE THREE
  3. WHILE CHRIST WAS ON EARTH --- PAGE THREE
  4. TRUE --- PAGE FIVE
  5. CALLED ---- OVERSIGHT--- PAGE FIVE
  6. FALSE --- PAGE FIVE
  7. SERVENTS --- PAGE SIX
  8. FALSE --- PAGE SEVEN
  9. TRUE --- SEVEN
  10. FALSE --- SEVEN
  11. FALSE --- EIGHT
  12. FALSE --- EIGHT
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