Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Bible-Based Leadership Structure

Brotherliness also provided a key guiding principle for the manage ment of relationships between Christians (Rom. 14:15,21; 1 Cor. 628; 8211-13; 2 Thess. 3214,15; Philem. 16; James 421 1). Jesus insisted that His followers were true brothers and sisters and that none among them should act like the rabbis of His day who elevated themselves above their fellow countrymen: But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers (Matt. 2325-8; italics added). In complete obedience to Christ’s teaching on humility and broth erhood, the first Christians and their leaders resisted special titles, sacred clothes, chief seats, and lordly terminology to describe their community leaders. They also chose an appropriate leadership struc ture for their local congregations—leadership by a council of el ders. The first Christians found within their biblical heritage a struc ture of government that was compatible with their new family and theological beliefs. Israel was a great family, composed of many individual families, and it found leadership by a plurality of elders to be a suitable form of self-government that provided fair repre sentation for its members. The same is true of the local Christian church. The elder structure of government suits an extended family organization like the local church. It allows any brother in the com munity who desires and qualifies to share fully in the leadership of the community. The Church Is a Nonclerical Community Not only is the local church an intimate, loving family of redeemed brothers and sisters, it is a nonclerical family. Unlike Israel, which was divided into sacred priestly members and lay members, the first century Christian church was a people’s movement. The distinguish ing mark of Christianity was not found in a clerical hierarchy, but in the fact that God’s Spirit came to dwell within ordinary, common people

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