Principles and Practice of Church Management

Oluwasegun

Section 1

THE CHURCH

1.1    INTRODUCTION

The English word for Church is derived from the Greek word Kupiokov which means a thing belonging to the Lord, it was originally applied to a Church building. It is indicated by an Old Testament word, qahal; which means a gathering in response to God’s call (Exodus 35:1) which was translated Ecclesia in Latin and which means the natural religious communities which are joined together by birth.

The Latin Ecclesia and its derivatives although used for the Church, when used in secular form meant an assembly primarily of citizens in a self-governing city like that of Ephesus (Acts 19:39). In the Septuagint, Ecclesia was used as the assembly or congregation of the Israelites, especially of those within the covenant as opposed to the strangers in their midst (Deut. 23:3, Neh. 3:1); but in Acts 7:38, the word is used with Old Testament reference.

In the New Testament, the word Ecclesia occurs only twice from the Lord’s mouth in Matt. 16:18 and Matt. 18:17. In the New Testament sense, the Church is referred to as the company of believers called out from the world, and indwelt by the Spirit of God. The fundamental idea of the Church then is brought out in the Greek verb kaleun signifying to call and kletol meaning the called (Rom 1:6,7,8:L28;1 Cor.1:2; Jude 1), which designate the membership of the Church.

1.2    THE DEFINITION OF THE CHURCH

Eeclesia; from which the word Church comes, has the meaning of being called out for an assembly or congregational meeting. In the New Testament sense, the Church is the company of believers called out from the world and indwelt by the Spirit of God.

The true Church is composed of the whole number of regenerated persons from Pentecost time to the first resurrection, who are united together to Christ by baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:12,13). It is the Body of Christ of which He is the head (Eph. 1:22:23) and as such, it is a Holy Temple for the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:21). It is one flesh with Christ (Eph. 5:30), and espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband (2 Cor. 11:2-4).

From the above definition, two things become clear: first, the Church is called out from the world, and unto Christ. The Church is thus a picked company (Tim. 1:9; Rev. 17:14). Secondly, the Church is bigger than any denomination or single organization. It is composed of believers from all denominations that accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (1 Cor.12:3,1 John 5:10-12).

Moreover, the Church is composed of believers from all nations, colors, races and tongues.(Mark 16:15). Those to be gathered around His throne at the end of age will be from all nations and kindred, and tongues (Rev.7:9).

1.3    THE TYPOLOGY OF THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE

In Genesis 2:21-22, we read that God made a wife for Adam. Adam was made to sleep and a bone of his rib was taken to form Eve his wife for him, who became a bride and body of Adam; Adam being a type of Christ. Therefore Eve, the wife of Adam, is a type of the Church; Adam being a type of Christ. God made His Son Jesus Christ to be put to death on the Cross of Calvary. In Jn. 19:34, when a soldier pierced His side to confirm His death, and blood gushed out from the side of His rib, upon which He formed His Church, which is the bride and body of Christ.

In Gen. 24, Abraham (a type of God) instructed Eliezer (a type of the Holy Spirit) to search for a wife for Isaac, his son (a type of Christ). The Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church which is the bride and the body of Christ on the day of Pentecost.

The biblical typology of the Church as a called out people are:

•The call of Abraham Gen.12:1-4.

•The Ark of Noah - Gen.6:13-22.

•The Exodus going out or movement of the people referred to as the Church in the wilderness in Acts 7:38.

1.4    BIBLICAL SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH

Body: Christ is the Head of the Body and we are members of His Body. Col. 1:18, and He is the head of the Body, the Church… (Eph.1:22,23;Col.2:19).

A Temple Building: Habitation or dwelling place for God’s Spirit (Eph. 2:20, 21). Of this building, Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and we are different parts of the building.

Bride of Christ: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Cor.11:2).

Distinction Between the Actual Church and the Ideal Church

The Actual Church includes those who are imperfect, yet striving after perfection through Christ. The Ideal Church is made up of those who have already gone to heaven and are resting now.

Distinction Between the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant

The Church Militant refers to the True Church on earth, while the Church Triumphant refers to the section of the Church already in heaven.

1.5    THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH

The first place where the word Church is used in the Bible is in Matthew 16:18. In the passage, Jesus Christ taught that the called out company, His Church, is built on Christ the Son of God (1 Pet. 2:4-8). The last place where the word, Church occurs in the Bible is in Revelation 22:16. Throughout the New Testament the idea of the Church is that of an assembly identified with Christ. It will be noted that Jesus speaks of His Church:

Upon This Rock I will build my Church… Mt.16:16-18.

Jesus statement of: Upon this rock, also recorded in Jn.

20:19-23; Mt. 18:18 found fulfillment on the day of

Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on

worshippers in their place of meeting (Acts 2:1-4).

Jesus Christ founded the Church upon Peter’s confession in Mt. 16: 16, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, God’s incarnated Son and the Savior of the world. The Church was not built on Peter i.e. Petrus interpreted as the rock himself, according to certain erroneous teachings, but on Peter’s confession.

A study of Matt 16:16-18;John 20:19-23 and Matt.18:18, shows that Peter did not receive a higher position than the other disciples (all could bind and loose). Historically the Church was founded on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon believers who gathered in prayer and supplication in the upper room (Act 2:1-6). They had a regular place of meeting (Acts. 1:13; Acts 5:12; Acts 2:46; Acts 12:12). They had regular times of meeting daily (Acts 2:46), and on each Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7).

On the day of Pentecost the Church had her Spiritual birthday. There were individual believers prior to that time, but from that day onward, the Church became both an organization and an organism. In the early days of the Church’s power, one could clearly distinguish between those who belonged to this living body and those who did not (Acts 5:13), and to this living group the Lord added others as they believed (Acts 2:41, 47: 5:14), and when believers became identified with this Church, it was not only to an organization that they were added, but also to the Lord (Acts 11:24).

1.6    THE MEANING OF THE CHURCH

The word Church means the called out from (Deut. 6:23). It has the connotation of an assembly of people (2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 17:14). The Church is called out from the world and unto Christ. He brought us out to bring us in (Deut. 6:23). In Acts 15:14 and Rom. 9:24, we read about How God visited the Gentiles to take out a people for Himself.

Christians are called out from the world system to be in Christ, they are called to be saints. The Church is a New Testament institution which was inaugurated on the day of Pentecost and may end probably with the rapture, i.e. at the Second Coming of Christ. Christians are called out from the world system to be in Christ (1 Cor.1:2) Unto the Church of God which is at Corinthian called to be saints.

The word church can also refer to a local group of believers: and to the church in thy House… (Philemon 2).

Church can also mean the Church Universal: For I am not mean to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (I Cor.15:9).

1.7    THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

It Is A kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15).

The Church is primarily a divine and not human institution; God is the king over it. We need to recognize that the Church is God’s and not the property of any man. Jesus came to proclaim the kingdom of God and to call men to repentance to be able to enter into the kingdom. If we are to administer and lead the Church well, we must first of all admit that the Church is not ours, not theirs, not any preacher’s, not any person’s or group of persons, the Church belongs to God.

It Is the Body of Christ (I Cor.12:27).

This nature of the Church suggests diversity, but at the same time it is one, unified and integrated. The Church has Christ as the head under whom the many members worship and serve. Christians are called out from the world system to be in Christ. I Cor.1:20 says: the called to be saints. It can refer to a local group of believers; Philemon 2 …and the Church which is in thy house. It can mean the Church Universal. This concept of the Church is a functional understanding of it as a divine institution. Mk.1:14-15.

1.8    THE PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH

•To be the Light, Salt (preservative) and Fire of the world (Rev.1:8,14).

•For the worship God and to glorify Him on the earth. …the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved (Eph.1:4-6).

•To evangelize the world with the Gospel "Go therefore and teach all nations.(Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Eph. 3:18.)

•To teach and instruct Christians ..for the perfecting of the saints…. (Eph. 4:11-15; 1 Thess. 5:11; 1 Cor. 12:1- 31).

•To witness Christ constantly. …Witnesses in Jerusalem…Judea and Samaria… (Acts 1:8).

•To care for the Brethren e.g. during Christian activities in all facets of life: birth, marriage, death, house warming, graduation, notable achievements, etc.

1.9    THE CONCEPT OF A VIBRANT CHURCH

The characteristics of a Church that is marching on are as follows:

•It is a radiant one, radiating the glory of the Lord and acts as the light of its environment (1 Jn. 1:5; Mt. 5:14).

•Evangelism - It is involved in evangelism and caring for lost soul, thus fulfilling the occupy till I come (Lk. 19:23), and the Go ye therefore to all nations (Matt. 28:19), commandments of our Lord.

•It honors Jesus as Lord and Master, and preaches the entire counsel of God. It calls a sin a sin, and would not refer to it as a mistake.

•It is fervent in Spirit (Rm. 12:11), holiness is practiced in it, and the entire counsel of God is preached unadulterated.

•It is active in the service (Rm.12:11).

•It rejoices in hope (Rm. 12:12) of the coming millennium, the marriage feast of the Lamb, etc.

•It is patient in tribulation (Rm.12:12).

•It is diligent both in corporate prayer (Rm 12:12) and the individual prayer life of its members.

•It is liberal in hospitality (Rm. 12:13), and impartial in love (Rm.12:14).

•Its membership is based on personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

1.10    WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REQUIRE OF A CHURCH?

The most important thing that God requires of a Church is that it be built upon the confession of Jesus as God’s Son and Christ (Mat.16:16-18). What this means practically is that Christ is the center of the Church and is the focus of its activities.

The Church should be engaged in persuading unbelievers to become disciples of Jesus (Mat. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2; 2 Tim. 4:5), which the Great Commission defines as baptizing them and teaching them to obey Christ. Disciple making also includes taking sin seriously and disciplining impenitent believers(Mat.18:15-20;1 Cor.5:1-13;1 Tim.5:19-20; Titus3:9-11).

The Church should meet regularly and the meetings should be encouraging (Hebrews 10:24-25). The encouragement should not come just from the ministry leaders, the community as a whole should be one that strengthens one another. Here is a representative list of passages describing how those in the Church ought to treat one another.

•Greet one another,2 Corinthians 13:12

•Show hospitality to one another,1 Peter 4:9

•Honor one another, Romans 12:10

•Live in harmony with one another Romans,12:16

•Serve one another Galatians,5:1314

•Comfort one another,2 Corinthians 1:34

•Encourage one another, Hebrews 3:1213

•Teach and admonish one another, Colossians 3:16

•Be forbearing with one another, Ephesians 4:13

•Forgive one another, Colossians 3:13

•Confess sin to one another, James 5:16

•Bear one another’s burdens, Galatians 6:2

•Love one another,1 John 4:721

There should be singing motivated by gratitude to God (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19-20). Gratitude for who Jesus is and what He has done (both on the cross and in our lives) is what I believe is in mind here. As part of its worship, churches should also celebrate communion on a regular basis (1 Corinthians 11:1734).

The Church should be a community devoted to prayer (1 Timothy 2:8; Ephesians 6:18). We must remember that when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he taught them to pray together (it is, after all, Our Father not My father, Matthew 6:9). The following types of Prayers ought to be emphasized:

•The elements of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:913, Luke 11:14) should always be central i.e. for God to be glorified, for His will to be done, for provision, for forgiveness, and for holiness.

•For effective evangelism (Colossians 4:24, Ephesians 6:19-20). Note the emphasis of the prayer: it is not just for the lost to be saved so much as for us to be bold and wise witnesses.

•For government leaders to not interfere with our faith, especially our duty to evangelize (1 Timothy 2:12).

•For the needs of the Church (Ephesians 6:18). The prayers of the apostles serve as excellent examples of the sort of prayers one could offer on behalf of the Church (Rom 15:56, 13; Eph 1:17-19; Eph 3:16-19; Phi 1:911; Col 1:912; 1 Thess 3:12-13; 1 Thess 5:23-24; 2 Thess 1:11-12;2 Thess 3:15).

•The elders of the Church are specifically required to make themselves available to pray for the sick (James 5:1416).

All the spiritual gifts should be welcomed (1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1Thessalonians 5:19-20), although they should be deployed in such a way as to attract and not repel unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). Their effect on the Church should not be chaotic (1 Corinthians 14:40).

A Church should be led by Biblically qualified leaders:

•Who teach Biblical truth (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17;2 Timothy 4:2;1 Timothy 4:13;Titus 1:9)

•Who exercise appropriate authority (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Tim 4:11-12;2 Timothy 2:22-25;Titus 2:15)

•Who are above reproach in both character and relationships (1 Tim 3:113; Titus 1:59)

The Church ought to care for the poor, especially poor believers. (2 Corinthians 89; James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:16; Gal 2:9-10; Gal 6:10; Acts 6:14). And the poor should be welcomed into the life of the community (James 2:17).

The Church ought to also pay ministers, both those who teach and lead within the Church itself (1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; Galatians 6:6) and those who are sent forth as missionaries (3 John 5:8; Romans 16:12; Philippians 4:10-20) In order to facilitate this the Church should receive offerings (Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 16:12), although it does not appear that such offerings must be received in any particular way.

There are probably other things that Churches should be doing as well, but those mentioned in this section seem to me to be essential. No Church can be perfect.

1.11    THE LOCAL CHURCH

The local Church is where the word is preached and taught every week. Indeed, that is one of the key reasons why churches exist. The local Church has been God’s chosen instrument since the ascension of Christ. Christ left us with the Church to carry out His plan. He even refers to churches as the body of Christ. Local Churches have been messy from onset (1 and 2 Corinthians and Galatians give examples). God did not give up on the first-century churches and He will not give up on the 21st century churches.

Believers can do more together than individually. We are called Church members because we are the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12). One member is not nearly as effective by himself or herself. We are not designated for lone ranger Christianity. The idea of becoming a Christian and never a part of a local congregation is foreign to the Scriptures. Christians are obligated to participate in the life of a faithful congregation, whenever possible.