The Local Congregation: How Organized and the Extent of Organization
The Local Congregation: How Organized and the Extent of Organization THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
How Organized and the Extent of Organization
By Coleman 0verby
Strange as it may seem, the words, “organize,” and “organization,” are not found in the Bible. Yet the principles are so manifest, “that he may run that read eth” (Habakkuk 2:2), the Book to any profit. Such passages as, “For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace,” “But let all things be done decently and in order,” and “Set in order the things that are wanting” (1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Titus 1:7), emphasize organization, The handiwork of God is systematically unfolded throughout his Revelation to man. The Bible teaches by precept—the plain teaching of his word; by examples—to simplify, and lead the reader to imitate; and, by necessary inferences—by that, which is contained in the precept or example— implied, but not expressed. The last process mentioned, belongs to men who are seasoned in experience. “Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men” (1 Corinthians 14:20). It is by this principle of studying God’s word, organization is clearly seen.
Defined. Much of the confusion that exists over organization, is due largely to a misunderstanding of terms. “Doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing” (1 Timothy 6:4). To organize means, “To furnish with organs; to give organic structure.”—Webster. In this sense, the church cannot be organized. This, Jesus did when he established it. He placed in its structure all the organs essential to its growth and development.
Examples. The church is a building, composed of “living stones”—living organs, “a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). God placed every stone (organ) in this building, on the ground of conversion (Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47). The church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18), divinely organized, with all the elements necessary for its unique work. Just as in the creation of man, God “set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him” (1 Corinthians 12:18) ; so it is, in the creation of the “one new man”—the church (Ephesians 2:15). Jesus added all the organic structure necessary. Let man beware of adding to or taking from this spiritual body! The church is the temple of God (1 Cor, 3:16; 6:19). In the first temple all of the material—wood, stones, iron, brass, silver, gold, and precious stones, were pre- par ecT by inspired craftsmen, so that in its structure, “there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building”1 (1 Kings 6:7). So it is in the temple of the Holy Spirit, every convert is divinely placed into the building, where he can best serve. All of the organic structure for the enlargement of the building is there. To further illustrate. The church is a city and light (Matthew 5:14-16), with all the elements to grow and shine. It is the family of God—God is the Father, Christ is the Elder Brother and Saviour, -and every Christian is a member of this house. As-such, it has all the organs necessary for household interests. Too, the church is the kingdom of Christ (*Matthew 16:18; *Matthew 16:19').
Christ, is the King, and every member is a subject, and citizen. JBeing a heavenly institution, it has all the elements of organization.
These illustrations forcefully set forth the complete-ness of the church in respect to all its organic parts. Nothing can be added without an impeachment of the wisdom of the Divine Architect—Christ Jesus. It is presumptuous and perilous to try.
How Then Organize. This way. “To arrange or constitute in interdependent parts, each "having a spe-cial function, act or relation with respect to the whole; to systematize; to get into working order; as, to organize an army; to organize recruits.”—Webster. While the church has all of its organic parts, each part must be taught its special function; and, while functioning, it must understand its relationship to the whole—all parts must be systematized, arranged into harmonious working order. The “living stones,” of the church must be taught their relationship one toward another, and the profoundest respect for the Chief Corner Stone. “Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone. In whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22).
Here, all the principles of organization are set forth, both divine and human. God “fitly framed” and “builded together”—furnished with complete organs— gave to it organic structure. This, no man can do. On the manward side, “each several building, working in, and as a part of the walls of Zion; must function with due respect to the whole of the walls; and, with reverential submission to the Head Stone, Jesus the Christ Thus the building “groweth into a holy temple of the Lord,” and God habitaies therein. This principle, too, is seen in the church as the body of Christ. As in the creation of the physical body (Genesis 2:7), God set each member in the body as it pleased mm; lust so, in the creation of the “one new man”—the church, each member of the body was set therein as the handiwork of God, and by divine right (Ephesians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 12:18; Colossians 1:18). In the creation of the natural and spiritual bodies, all organs were complete and God-imparted. This is Divine Organization! Into eaoh body God set all of the members; but man must exercise them, systematize their use, and get them into the best Working order. Each mem ber must bo taught his special function in relation to the. whole, and how* to take orders from the head. This is how to organize. “For it is God who worketh
Man,
(1) “speaking truth in love”;
(2) grows up in all things into Christ;
(3) each joint supplieth strength to every other member;
(4) according to the “working in due measure of each” member;
(5) “maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.”
Christ supplied the organs, man utilizes and systematizes them. This is how organization takes place. The church is the army of the army of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-17). In the raw recruits, as they enter the Lord, there are all the possibilities and powers for a ranking army. These undeveloped soldiers must be trained, drilled, exercised, rationed, marched, clothed, ranked, and classified—systematized, before they are prepared for the fullest service. They must be organized into a working unit for Christ.
Different Gifts—Supernatural and Natural. To the Corinthian church, Paul gave various “manifestations of the Spirit to profit with all.” Nine gifts were specified. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts of the Spirit were divided “To each one severally” as God willed (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Paul gave the twelfth and fourteenth chapters of 1 Corinthians to tell how these gifts were to be used. Each had a special function, act, or relation \yith respect to the whole. Herein is organization, and how it was done, in. the age of miracles. In reasoning then, from the miraculous to the natural, it will be found there must also, be order. Certainly, supernatural gifts have ceased,- but the gifts and ministries of such have not ceased- They are to be supplied; not by miraculous powers, but by spiritual culture. Yea, they are to be supplied by the members of the church, from the members, and for the members. The church is to be self-perpetuated, self- edified; both, with due regard for order and diversity of labor. The body, the church, is not to make this advancement by the assumption of power on the part of each member, nor by each having the same office, but by the due working of each member. When diver-sity and order are respected, the problem of organiza-tion will take care of itself.
Time Out. Various speakers on this lecture course have taken “time out,” to deliver a manifesto against some evil that is or has risen “among us.” Some writers, and speakers have unsheathed the sword of the Spirit, and with one mighty thrust, have driven it to its hilt, into the very heart of the evils of “Majority Rule.” All of this is well, but it seems timely to remark, There is another evil “among us,” that is perchance, more deadly than “majority rule”—it is the “minority rule.” The church of the Lord is to be controlled, neither by majority nor minority rule, but by its head—the Lord Jesus Christ; and the rule of the head, is revealed in the New Testament. Let writers, papers, ministers, evangelists, members, deacons, and elders, beware of these “rules.”
Works of Ministry. The first churches had various ministrations. There was the ministration of tables, for which the apostles made provisions (Acts 6:1-4). There were ministrations of men and women. Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchrese, she was to be received and assisted, for she had been a helper of many (Romans 16:1-2). Priscilla and Aquilla were to be considered for their sacrificial service (Romans 16:3-4). There were ministries of households. The house of Stephanas set themselves to minister to the saints. They were to be respected, with all those who “helpeth in the work and laboreth” (1 Corinthians 16:15-16). Then there were manifold ministries—prophecy, preaching, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy (Pom. 12:6-8).
God’s Plan To Order These. How did God in his wisdom systematize these ministrations ? “And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). Yes, apostles—to testify, to reveal his will, and to ratify as eyewitnesses. Prophets—to speak for him, to edify, exhort, and warn, Evangelists—to speak the word, to sound it “withm” and Pastors—to lead, to watch, to tend, and to rule the flock. And, teachers—to instruct all ages and classes.
Now, why and for how long were the miraculous elements of these gifts to continue? “For the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministry, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the fait® and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-14). This five-fingered gift to the church in Ephesians 4:11, is in the‘church today. Not mi-raculously. The apostles are on thrones as judges, and by their decisions and counsels as revealed in the New Testament, are ruling (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:29-30). The prophets, speaking for him—to edify and exhort; evangelists, as ministers and preachers to tell the story of his love; the pastors as elders, bishops, overseers, rulers; and the teachers, to instruct all. Too, just as the miraculous had to do with the revealing, ordering, diversifying, and systematizing of the work of the churches; just so, this fivefold gift, attained by spiritual culture of the various mem-bers, is to put into working order, and to diversify the work of the church. Every qualification of an elder has to do with successful organization of the church. Titus was left in Crete, to “set in order the things that were wanting, and to appoint elders in every city” (Titus 1:5). For the qualification of the elders see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9.
Key To Organization. The first rule is, To Teach; the second one, is just like it—teach; and the third, is made up of the first and second—teach. The word “teach” or “taught” is used more than one hundred times in the New Testament. It was applied to Christ, fifty-six times. The word “preach” with its different forms, is used one hundred and twenty-one times. It was applied to Jesus, thirty-five times. Jesus opened carried on, and closed his ministry by teaching and preaching. He then, climaxed his life’s work, by ordering the disciples to go into all the world and preach or teach the gospel of Christ to every creature. Order and light were God’s first laws (Genesis 1:6).
Teach what? Every word of God is to be included in heaven’s teaching program (Matthew 4:4; Matthew 28:19-20). The relationship of members to fellow-members (Romans 12:3-5; Romans 12:10). The relationship of servants to masters, and masters to servants (Ephesians 6:5-6; Ephesians 6:9). The relationship of husbands to wives, and wives to husbands (Ephesians 5:22-25). The relationship of parents to children, and children to parents (Ephesians 6:1-4). The relationship of aged women to younger women (Titus 2:3-5). The relationship of preachers to the church, and the church to the preachers (1 Timothy 6:1-2). The relationship of members to hteir “Income,” and to its 40). The relationship of the church to missions (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 5:12-13). The relationship of the church to the world (1 John 2:15-16). The relationship of members to their “Income”, and to its “Out-go”—giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The relationship of elders to the church, and the church to the elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Many other themes might be suggested. There is no way to successfully organize without teaching, constructive teaching, and continual teaching. The more teaching, the better the organization. No church can rise higher than its teaching. “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).
Another vital factor in organization is that of work. It is inseparably connected with teaching. Teaching may be called the heart; and working, the life of it. One is the source; the other, the stream. God works and he created man to work. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). A working church develops talent for the various ministries, and an outlet for service. Talents grow and multiply by use. Every inactive church buries its ability and ultimately, becomes visionless. The working church creates emergencies. This is forcefully illustrated in the activities of the first church.
The apostles were set in the church first, in respect to time and rank (1 Corinthians 12:28). They began the work of the church, as commanded in the great commission—by teaching or preaching the gospel (Acts 2:14-40). As the believers were multiplied (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:5; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:7), emergencies arose.
(1) This great multitude must be grounded in the work of the Lord.
Hence, , the anosties taught, and preached daily, in the temple, and from house to house. These converts ‘continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, and the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
(2) Thousands of these new converts were far from home, they must be cared for.
To meet this demand, “They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need” (Acts 2:43-41; 4:32-35). A little diversion. These devout Christians said that they might give; too many Christians now, buy so they cannot give.
(3) These provisions given so generously, must be used and dis-tributed wisely.
The apostles must preach the word. They ordered: “Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full ox the Spirit and wisdom, whom we mav appoint over this business. But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and m the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4). Thus this emergency w’as met.
(4) As tune moved on, men who were capable were selected to have the oversight of this church.
So, elders wnre appointed to oversee, tend, and shepherd the Jerusalem flock. These elders are mentioned in Acts 15:2; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:3; Acts 15:22).
(5) Since the church wras ’’scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judsea and Samaria”—the plan and order, Christ had designed to evangelize these provinces (Acts 1:8), there was a pressing demand for many teachers.
How was it met? This wray. “They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Thus this emergency was met.
(6) And finally, the new converts of the church that were established in many places, would need spiritual nurture, and to be firmly established ip the faith of the Lord.
So the apostles sent Peter- and John to the city of Samaria, to encourage them, and to transfer the Holy Spirit. This miraculous bestowal of the Spirit was to reveal and confirm the church there, in the absence of the New Testament record. These men having “testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans” (Acts 8:14-17; Acts 8:25). Later, this church sent Barnabas to Antioch, to exhort and strengthen the saints there (Acts 11:22-26).
Thus it is seen the first church was ordered—sys-tematized—put into working order by, (1) Continual teaching; (2) Working, and encouraging all to work. Talents were developed for the various ministries of the church by work; and (3) As this working cnurch created emergencies, men full of wisdom, were selected to meet the demands. Thus it should be now; and it will be, if the New Testament is followed.
Extent of Organization. No organization that is properly organized, is overly organized. Reverting to the definition as to how to organize; a second look, will simplify this division of the lecture, and will give a new slant on the extent of organization. “To arrange or constitute in interdependent parts, each having a special function, act, or relation with respect to the whole; to systematize; to get into working order; to organize an army; to organize recruits.” When any phase of the church work—however wor-thy, hampers the work as a whole, it is overly organized. When the relationship of part to part, or part to the whole, or the whole to the head of the church is not respected; rest assured, there is over or super organization. It is top-heavy, and will, sooner or later fall under the weight of human wisdom. When missionary zeal, charitable functions, or local preachmg’, or a committee on finances, or the Bible School work, or the Ladies’ Bible class, or the Yo.ung People’s Meeting, or any other work of the church, hampers any part, or the whole of the work, it is ill-timed, or overly organized. When one or more of these functions predominates, the church is turned from its God- given channel, and it has too much organization.
It is also well to remember, there is to be no or-ganization within the Divine Organization, the church. Organized Sunday Schools, Classes, Young People’s Meetings, Ladies’ Bible Classes, Missionary Societies, with their presidents, secretaries, treasurers, vice-presidents, and committees—independent of, or within the church; all alike, are unscriptural, and are pointed examples of over-organization. They are a repudiation of Divine Wisdom. One of the speakers on this program quoted a Christian preacher as saying: “There should be a ‘Four-S-Society’ among us—a society of Suppression to Suppress the Superfluous Societies among us.” The gentleman was well qualified to speak, and sounds a timely note of warning to “us.” This does not mean that all of the work of the church should not be “set in order,” and properly timed, and done in the most fitting way. No, it means there is one Divine organization—the church, the body of Christ. Over this, Christ is the head, and Chief Shepherd with all authority; elders are under-shepherds, to rule, defend, feed, protect and lead; with its deacons to serve; with its members to work; and with the preachers to preach. Anything short of, or beyond this, is going beyond that which is written (1 Jno. 9).