5.15 - CHURCH ORGANIZATION

CHURCH ORGANIZATION This is indeed a fine audience. Personally, I want to acknowledge your presence with genuine and profound gratitude. I feel quite keenly the responsibility that is mine when I undertake to address an audience upon whom I know impressions will be made. We are dealing not with things purely timely, but with things eternal. At the War Memorial Building every sermon has had something to do with the church, and that series would not be complete unless I talked at one time regarding church organization. I have elected this morning so to do, and upon that I bid you fasten your attention and give to it proper thought. It goes without saying that every business into which men enter demands organization. The success of all efforts, whether in financial affairs, social matters, or political realms, depends largely upon the character of those who are recognized as officials of that concern. I think that needs no comment whatever. The Lord surely is not the author of confusion, but of system and order. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians will always apply. "Let all things be done decently and in order." I am assuming, therefore, that you agree that in the New Testament the church was organized and that there were certain qualifications necessary for all officials. I am calling attention Acts 1:1-26, Acts 2:1-47, Acts 3:1-26, Acts 4:1-37, Acts 5:1-42, Acts 6:1-15, where the occasion called forth the selection of certain men. Without reading that Acts 1:1-26 briefly state the facts. The Grecians made complaint against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. That complaint was brought to the attention of the apostles. They did not pass it by unconcerned, but recognized the need of something’s being done. They said: "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." The Grecians were told to look out among themselves "seven men whom we may appoint." They were to be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom. Any organization with officials of a bad report will suffer just criticism, if not failure altogether. It is also obvious that those who serve should have the spirit of sincerity and devotion to duty. Likewise, they should be men with good judgment. These seven men were recognized as deacons, which word simply means a "servant" or a "minister." From the account here given in Acts 6:1-15, it is evident that they were to attend to the secular wants and interests of the congregation. So they selected the number and the appointment was made. The Bible does not say just how they went about making the appointment and I do not know. But I know as much about it as anybody living, and that simply means that no man knows the precise act employed in the selection of these seven men. In view of this, I cannot see why brethren will cause trouble and demand that a certain procedure must be followed in order that such may be scriptural. The qualifications of a deacon are exactly the same as that demanded of every other Christian except that he must be the husband of one wife. Another class of officials is called elders, bishops, overseers, pastors, or shepherds and teachers. These various names all designate the same class of officers. The word elder refers to age, not necessarily in time lived upon the earth, but rather his age in the church. The terms overseer and bishop have reference to one’s being a guardian or a superintendent. Pastor means a feeder, and is the same as the word shepherd. They differ only in origin. Teacher, of course, implies an instructor. The qualifications of this class are plainly given to Timothy and Titus. Except their being married and not novices, their qualifications should apply to all Christians. In the Bible every congregation had a plurality of elders. No one ever read about the elder of a certain church. In Titus 1:5, Paul said: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city." Now that might be construed to mean that they had several congregations in Crete and possibly one elder in each, but in the island there would be a plurality of elders. But such is not the fact. Luke gives a report of the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, and he has this to say: "And when they had ordained them elders in every church." In Acts 20:17 the elders of the church were called. That settles the question as to how many elders each church should have. Instead of having a plurality of elders for each church as the Bible teaches, some denominations have a plurality of churches under one elder. Why cannot sensible people see the glaring contrast between God’s demand and man’s polity? I have been asked time and again how are elders to be appointed? The Bible does not say. Maybe I could wish that it had. I am quite sure that there are certain principles, three in number, that ought to govern every congregation in the selection of elders. First, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Second, let all things be done unselfishly and with love for the welfare of the congregation. Third, let every act be done with a view of maintaining and preserving the unity of the congregation. Now, if brethren will follow those three fundamentals, they will not make a mistake nor will they violate any principle of His Word. While the Bible demands a plurality of elders for each congregation, it nowhere tells just how many any church should have. Good judgment alone must determine the number. I am calling attention to the work required of the elders. In Acts 20:28, Paul said to the Ephesian elders: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." From this passage it is obvious that certain duties were imposed upon the elders at Ephesus. 1. It was their obligation to oversee the flock. No greater responsibility was ever committed to man. Elders are shepherds, and, if need be, they must lay down their lives for the church which the Lord has so dearly purchased. They are to guard and to protect the flock from grievous wolves without and from those who speak perverse things from within. There is great danger along this line. Many times some oily-tongued preacher will dash into the assembly on Sunday morning and ask the elders to let him speak. He will give a glowing report of himself and tell of his acquaintance with some brethren of prominence. Too many elders fall for such impressions. Let me warn you against all tramp preachers. The right kind never tries such an approach and the wrong kind ought always to be rejected. Furthermore, those within should be carefully watched. Do not allow some fellow on the inside to have much to say if he evidences a selfish end. Many a man seeks to gain the confidence of the weaker members, and when he feels that he has sufficient strength, he will lead them into his own schemes, hoping thereby to be galvanized into prominence. 2. Their duty is to be feeders of the church of God. They should, therefore, be "apt to teach." They must study the condition of every member and give him food according to his needs. If babies, give them the sincere milk of the word and, if more advanced, give them strong meat. 3. To the elders the discipline of the congregation has been committed. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor." Again, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves." Once more, "If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" Mow, let it be understood that elders should never be dogmatic nor arbitrary. Neither should they be so formal that the humblest may not dare come into their August presence. Peter urged the elders not to be "lords over God’s heritage’" but to be an example to the flock. Many church troubles arise and sometimes division occurs, because of the attitude of the elders. Their opinion cannot be forced on a congregation without harm resulting. While it is the duty of the elders to rule, it is also the duty of the members to obey. Paul said. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves."’ Three fundamental principles, announced by the pioneers, should apply to both the elders and the members—viz., in matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; and, in all things, charity. Such principles accepted in the right spirit will preserve the peace and happiness of any church. Let no member bring an accusation against an elder unless it is well founded before two or three witnesses. Let it be understood that they have a hard place to fill. Every inactive and disgruntled member will try to cover his own sins and his own delinquency by finding fault with the elders. In the work of every church there are many matters that come up concerning which the Bible has nothing to say. In such cases the greatest possible diplomacy should be exercised. The ultimate decision in all matters of expediency must be left to the elders, but they are unwise if they do not learn what the wish of the congregation is and then they should respect its wishes. Sometimes the question comes up as to whether or not the church shall have a new building. If so, what kind, where to build it, and when to begin? In such matters, the elders should not be arbitrary. Then again, who shall be our preacher? When shall we have our protracted meeting, etc.? If there is opposition of any moment, it will again show a lack of good judgment on the part of the elders to employ some preacher regardless. It always means that they are inviting trouble, and may I say in this connection that no preacher who loves the cause more than his own selfish interest will allow a church to divide over him. In Freed-Hardeman College we have a faculty of sixteen. I have been serving as its president for a number of years. I am glad to say that it has never occurred to me to be arrogant or arbitrary in the management of its affairs. In any matter that arises, if it be at all important, I have always consulted the faculty, and time and again I have discussed such with the students. Many times I have yielded my opinion and have carried out the judgment of others. As a result, we have never had any trouble and the school runs on with all in perfect accord. Such, I believe, is possible with every congregation in disposing of almost all of its problems. This much for matters of expediency. If a question of doctrine or polity arises, the elders should settle it in harmony with New Testament teaching regardless of results. In matters of faith, there is no place for any man’s opinion. Much trouble can be avoided if churches are exceedingly careful in the selection of their elders. Brother Tant used to say that when he was a boy they made popguns out of elders, but in more modern times they make elders out of popguns. There is much truth in such a statement. I am next calling attention to another class of officials— viz., the evangelists. This term simply means "a proclaimer of good news." The title is first given to Philip in Acts 21:8. It next occurs in 2 Timothy 4:5, in Paul’s charge: "Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Titus was commanded to set things in order on the island of Crete. He was told to speak things that became sound doctrine, and in all things to show himself a pattern of good works. Likewise, he must teach and exhort. An evangelist must follow after righteousness, godliness, fidelity, love, patience, and meekness, also to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. Every church should develop special teachers and preachers, both for itself and for fields abroad. In modern times a man who preaches around home is never called an evangelist, but when he begins to go places he becomes one overnight. I have wondered how many miles a preacher has to go in order to be an evangelist and how much territory he has to cover to become a big evangelist. Let it be understood that a man who proclaims great tidings to the people at home is as much an evangelist as if he traveled thousands of miles. His qualifications are simple and few. Paul said to Timothy: "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Thus we have it: fidelity and ability. And now I must close. Are there any here who understand God’s will and who are disposed to accept it? Won’t you come now while you may!