What Does The Rest Of The Church Do?

I enjoy reading help wanted ads for pastors because so many of them are unrealistic. 

What this Pastor Will Do

Much space is devoted initially to describing the pastor being a mature man of God, spiritually qualified according to Scripture to lead the church.  Then comes forth the list of everything this pastor is required to do.  He is to preach and teach, of course.  But, he must be notably skilled, excellent, relevant and compelling . . . and presumably every Sunday.  

He is to visit those in need, provide counseling, encourage, reprove, rebuke and exhort as needed.  He must lead the board and the staff.  He has to have a proven history of successful leadership at other churches, being a strong leader and a constant builder of new leaders.  He also needs to develop local and global outreach ministries.  

Then comes the list of yet other things they would really like him to do in addition.  He himself must do local evangelism and cross-cultural work.  Not only that, he himself must see people come to Christ.  Like so many job descriptions, the pastor is supposed to do almost everything and be almost perfect.  

Oh yes, while he is doing all of this, he is also to be continuing his formal education, and maintaining an exemplary life of prayer and meditation.  Nothing is mentioned about his family, but assuming he has one, assuredly it would have to be just as great as all the above.

What this Church Will Do

As a pastor reading all of this, my first thought was, “so, what does the rest of the church do?”  Is there anything left of significance.  Perhaps they watch the pastor do it all, encourage and pray for him, even set up committees to keep track of his progress and make sure he does it all.

In this particular position description the congregation is “to grow in grace and knowledge.”  That’s it!  And they seem to be really energized by its possibilities.  Somehow they envision a large expansive ministry resulting from the pastor doing everything and they themselves doing very little.

They say they want to be a real church and not just a place to attend church, but it doesn’t ring true.  This appears to be confirmed by a brief visit to their website.  A moderately sized church but with very little ministry in proportion.

If everyone worked together on all those great things listed above for the pastor to do the church might grow and accomplish even greater things. 

Equipping Everyone to Work Together

I know that I am not being fair to this particular church.  And I know that it is job description for the pastor and not the church.  However, it illustrates what is often a reality--unreasonably high expectations of pastors and unreasonably low expectations of church members--which often leads to a lot disappointment and failure.

Might it be possible to write a position description for a pastor that expresses vision, and one that values leadership and teamwork in the mission?  Notice in this passage how everyone is equipped and then works together to make it happen.

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

How is your church?  How do the church members view and value leadership?  How do the leaders themselves understand their role?  Does everyone see the whole church as a team working together on the mission?  

Godspeed on the pastoral search!

Spiritual Maturity Is Not Just For Elders

How should churches use these lists?  How would you advise new churches on the mission field?

The lists of Elder qualifications, (which can be found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1), are not just for those aspiring to the church office.  These lists contain indicators of spiritual maturity that give definition to every Christian’s personal goal.  Elders must be examples of each of these indicators in their personal relationships, character and family management.  How so?

Seven Notes on Using the Lists

1. These spiritual maturity indicators are not to be ignored, or gone over lightly, in order to be expedient in a selection process. Laying on hands hastily can end up being a costly and damaging mistake for a congregation.
2. They are not to be used in a manner that imposes additional standards (often by means of unusual definitions) that are not really in Scripture. The list is not to be redefined in terms so that only an elite few pass the test.
3. Be careful of personality preferences. We can rationalize a man’s qualification because we are partial to his personality. We can likewise exclude a man from qualification because we are prejudicial against his personality. Stick to the list.
4. Remember that the lists are there to guide observation of how a man stands at present, not in his past. People change--sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Take time to focus consideration on the present.
5. Take note that these qualification are going to be somewhat relative to a church’s maturity. Think of the hundreds of new church plants of the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys and his practice of establishing leadership early on in them (Acts 14:23). And yet, as churches matured the standards likely increased, not only in spirituality but in quality of leadership. 
6. Realize that these lists are not exhaustive lists of spirituality. Together the lists contain selected items that deserved special attention, and are still deserving of special attention. Think through all of Scripture when thinking about spiritual maturity.
7. Be gracious.  Elders need not be perfect; nor will they ever even be near perfect. But they do need to be examples of each of these items even while they are still growing in them. Thank God for the gifted leaders He has given to His churches!

More than Maturity is Required

It is important to note that this list is not all that is required to be an Elder.  These are basics and specifics necessary in the realm of spiritual maturity.  Again every Christian ought to, indeed many Christians do, attain to this level of spiritual maturity.

Just because a man is spiritually mature doesn’t mean he should be made an Elder.  He also must be gifted for leadership and teaching.  As an Overseer he needs to “lead well with diligence” (Romans 12:8) and “be able to instruct in sound doctrine and rebuke.” (Titus 1:9)  These cannot be overlooked or only given a cursory assessment either.  

Leadership and leadership structure is vital to the spiritual health and success of every church.  It will effect direction and vision for the long-term; and it will effect quality of ministry and quality of life for many people.  

Being involved in mission work often leads to involvement in church leadership issues.  Sometimes this is direct and hands-on, while at other times it takes the forms of coaching or advising.  Encourage a wise and spiritual use of the lists as intended by God.

A New Spirit-Empowered Mission

The New Covenant contains a multitude of new realities for a new order for the new People of God.  There are three promises of particular importance for us in Hebrews 8:8-13.

“For he finds fault with them when he says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.’ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

1.  God Puts His Laws into Our Minds and Hearts

The New Covenant promises making us a new mind and heart and so making us obedient through the Spirit.  The contrast with Old Covenant is that now in the New Covenant obedience would be more thorough.  This is a radical empowerment for a whole new level for the purity of the People of God. (Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:5-7; Romans 8:1-6)

2.  God Allows Us as His People to Know Him Intimately

The New Covenant promises a deep personal relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The contrast with Old Covenant is that now in New Covenant all the People of God relate personally to God and know Him well.  Everyone in the covenant community, in the People of God, has a privileged relationship with God, not just Moses or the priests or prophets, but everyone of us, enjoys God’s Presence. (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:6)

3.  God Removes Our Sin Permanently and Completely

The New Covenant promises that the Messiah would fully rescue from sin and give assurance by the Holy Spirit.  The contrast with Old Covenant is that now in New Covenant the historical realization of this has finally come!  This hope had been proclaimed throughout the Old Testament, and so perhaps, this is most important of the three listed for the author of Hebrews.  To serve God with an unburdened soul and free conscience, and with the Spirit to keep one in holiness, is one of the greatest joys of living as a Christian!  (Hebrews 10, esp. v.14)

The Covenant Change is Complete and Brings a Better Future

Although these promises have been fulfilled in the New Covenant, they were not non-existent under the Old Covenant, but only realized to a lesser degree.  God communicated His Law.  God was present with His People.  God forgave sin in Promise.

The assumption by the author of Hebrews is that the prophecy of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 and elsewhere is for all peoples of the world, not just the physical descendants of Abraham.  This is just as the prophet Isaiah speaks of the Messiah:

Isaiah 42:6 ESV “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,”

Isaiah 49:6 ESV “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

The author of Hebrews sums up his presentation by explaining why this Covenant is called “New.”  Simply put, it is because the old one has been rendered obsolete.  God had fully accomplished His purposes through the Old Covenant made with Moses on Sinai, and would no longer be using it directly in His redemptive program, but only as a background to highlight greater glories in His Eternal Son.  

The fading away of the first covenant might refer to the destruction of the temple in AD 70, or the natural dissolution that would occur with the New Covenant order, or perhaps both. 

And still, the promises are yet to be realized by us in their ultimate expression at the Return of Christ.  Then, we will live in absolute conformity to the will of God!  Then, we will know God as we are known, basking in His glorious presence!  Then, we will receive the completion of our salvation in body and soul, in resurrection glory!

The Priestly Empowerment Ministry of Jesus Christ 

The point of Hebrews 8 is that God has made a New Covenant, mediated through Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Risen One, who is reigning as King and ministering as Priest for His People.  The Lord Jesus Christ is our New Covenant High Priest.

In this new priestly ministry, He is performing a superior liturgy, He is bringing the effects of the New Covenant into full expression and reality in our lives as His Church.  He is dispensing all the grace He purchased for us on the Cross as we need it to do His will.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is in heaven ministering in the true sanctuary. (Ro 8:34b)  The Lord Jesus Christ brought us a superior covenant--one that is full of forgiveness and full of the Spirit--and He administrates all its blessings for us from heaven.

The New Covenant Empowers Us for the New Mission

The message of our mission is unprecedented in the history of redemption.  And it stands out as the truth among all the false, ugly, destructive and worthless religions of the world invented by men, and even upheld by demons.

• The New Covenant has made us a new mind and heart and so makes us obedient through the Spirit.  How might we live empowered by the Spirit for a great obedience and joy?

• The New Covenant has established a deep personal relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  How might we keep growing in our relationship with God by the Spirit?

• The New Covenant Messiah has fully rescued us from sin and given us assurance by the Holy Spirit.  How might we serve more boldly in the Spirit knowing that we are forgiven?

Is This Controversy Worth It?

What benefit is there in religious controversies among Christians?  Are there ever any benefits?  If so, when are there enough of them to make conversation worthwhile?

These are difficult questions to answer because there are so many types of religious controversies and social settings where they appear.  Some people tend to think there is hardly ever any benefit to be gained from such controversies, while others tend to think there is almost always great benefit in them.


Think Before Getting Involved

Consider why the particular controversy exists.  How significant is the issue?  Has it been important in the past?  Will it likely be consequential in the future?

Assess the dispositions of the people involved.  What are the motivations?  Why get involved in the discussion?  Is there a something worthy to be gained? 

Proceed Cautiously

When there is a significant level of important religious truth and a great benefit to be gained, be humble and cautious in moving ahead.  Keep these four questions always before you.

• Is the purpose to find truth and submit to it?

• Is the methodology that of serious dependence upon Scripture and honest consideration of historical interpretation?

• Is there more than one resolution possible with all our current limitations of knowledge?

• Is there the possibility of different wise applications to different people and situations?

Beware of the Spoilers

Many religious people engage in religious controversies not for personal benefit or others’ benefit.  Instead, they like to spoil the investigation and any resolutions for good.

• Some create worthless controversies, or exaggerate controversies, even making insinuations about others’ viewpoints. They become unwitting instruments of the devil for chaos.


• Some engage in debates with pride, not with humble submission to learn and to teach helpfully. They want to gain personal standing with their peers, or leaders, or many people.


• Some distract others from attaining the goal of resolution and resting in the truth. They destroy the faith of the weak and bring restlessness to God’s people.


• Some use Scripture in a purposefully confusing manner that disregards its authorial intention. They want to fulfill their own selfish desires, with lust and greed being common. 


• Some assert their opinion, whether settled or unsettled, as the best; and then obligate agreement with them. They divide the church, destroying the work of God.

Get the Mission Out

The reality is that there are many religious controversies; and some are more significant than others.  Many can be substantially resolved, and many cannot.  Some can be resolved for a whole community, but some only personally.

Perhaps unbelievers are listening in on the conversation, or have joined the conversation.  Think about how to turn the conversation for evangelistic purposes.  And for all the believers involved, determine how to advance the conversation beyond theological controversy toward its value in fulfilling the Mission of God in the world.  

Choose carefully which controversial conversations to enter.  And then proceed purposefully through the discussions to the end.  By keeping the Mission constantly in view the true value of the controversy will surface.  And this will make it all worth it!