The Ministry of the Saints: Rediscovering the Destiny of Every Believer by Dr. Hanby Roger Roth Mark

Author:Dr. Hanby, Roger Roth Mark
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 0768422191
Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers
Published: 2005-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Ministry Titles

The apostle Paul was not against tradition and even gave counsel to follow the traditions and instructions that were set for the Church. While there is a tradition of truth that is set and should be carried on, there is also the tradition of men.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

The traditions of men are ideas with no particular consistency of truth or purpose, yet they are set forth and become a part of doctrinal belief. These are variable or changeable concepts that people attempt to make into constants and unalterable truths. The organization of much of modern Christianity is one such tradition that requires the scrutiny of all seeking godly order in the local church.

Various Church Government Systems as Opposed to the Multiplicity of Ministry

Although there is little systematic instruction on church government in the New Testament writings, there is a distinct pattern of church organization. From the various types and inferences contained in Scripture, many forms of church government have come forth. Catholic, State, Presbyterian, Quaker, Oligarchic, to name a few, have evolved over time.

Indeed, one of the reasons thousands of Christian denominations have appeared over the years has to do with the issue of what the correct form of Christian church government is.

When speaking of types of church government, the vast majority fall within two broad categories that we can call episcopal and congregational. These terms should not be confused with denominations of the same names.

The word episcopal refers to local government by an individual, commonly called a pastor or bishop. It is often a hierarchical system with overseers at various levels above the local church. Although there may be local committees and councils that advise the pastor or bishop, decision-making and operation of ministry are, for the most part, at the discretion of a single individual. Many churches have variations of the episcopal system, but they all are distinguished by single-person preeminence at the local level and usually a variety of hierarchical structures above the local level.

When the term congregational is evoked in its broadest sense, it refers to the placing of authority of church government in the hands of members of the local assembly or congregation. Church boards usually run these churches. Although they have pastors, it is with a board gathered from among church members that the decision-making rests. The board not only gives direction but oversees the operation of the church. The pastor usually serves at the discretion of the board. These assemblies may be independent or have association with other church bodies, but they are autonomous in their local settings.

Whether we are talking about variations of the episcopal (one-man rule) or congregational (rule of the laity) governments, the church systems of man work against a multiplicity of ministry. Most Christian church government has been patterned after men’s traditions made conspicuous by episcopal and congregational systems and not according to the Bible.

Not in any of the

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