The Church
We are Part of the Host of Heaven
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. NKJV Ephesians 1:22-23
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, NKJV Ephesians 2:6
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. NIV 1 Corinthians 12:13
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NKJV Colossians 1:27
Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, NKJV Ephesians 2:6
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. NIV 1 Corinthians 12:13
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NKJV Colossians 1:27
Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT
What is the Church?
The Church is the body of Christ here on earth; as such it is a way God channels His miraculous power into the world. The Church is everyone that believes God and by God's grace they all have been made sons of God. The Church is the bride of Christ. The Church is a light on a hill to a world looking for something greater. The Church is a place for healing and training soldiers for spiritual warfare. The Church is to continue the work that Jesus started while He was here on earth. That is what the Church is.
If the Church is suppose to be so great why don't we see great things come from the church more often? One reason is Jesus told us to love each other just as he has loved us. We have not been obediant, which blocks God's blessing on us. There is also the fact that many Christians don't know the Word of God or spend time with God in prayer and worship. We can not empower ourselves, we have to go to Him. We are fooled, often times easier than non-believers, by lies about God. On top of that we have spiritual enemies that work to distract and confuse us.
If you are a Christian you may be asking how can we become what we are suppose to be. The answer is to put on the "Full armor of God", everyday.
The Church is the body of Christ here on earth; as such it is a way God channels His miraculous power into the world. The Church is everyone that believes God and by God's grace they all have been made sons of God. The Church is the bride of Christ. The Church is a light on a hill to a world looking for something greater. The Church is a place for healing and training soldiers for spiritual warfare. The Church is to continue the work that Jesus started while He was here on earth. That is what the Church is.
If the Church is suppose to be so great why don't we see great things come from the church more often? One reason is Jesus told us to love each other just as he has loved us. We have not been obediant, which blocks God's blessing on us. There is also the fact that many Christians don't know the Word of God or spend time with God in prayer and worship. We can not empower ourselves, we have to go to Him. We are fooled, often times easier than non-believers, by lies about God. On top of that we have spiritual enemies that work to distract and confuse us.
If you are a Christian you may be asking how can we become what we are suppose to be. The answer is to put on the "Full armor of God", everyday.
Fellowship
Love and Encouragement
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 ESV
God gave us the church to strengthen us, we are to encourage and hold each other accountable in our walks with the Lord. Without this source of encouragement it is easy to fall to the enemy's lies.
Leadership
Leaders = Servents
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. NLT Ephesians 4:11-12
And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. NASB Luke 22:25-26
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. NASB 1 Timothy 3:1-7
“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” NLT Luke 17:7-10
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. NASB James 3:1-2
And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. NASB Luke 22:25-26
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. NASB 1 Timothy 3:1-7
“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” NLT Luke 17:7-10
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. NASB James 3:1-2
Elder / Overseerer / Pastor
The bible tells us that the elders are to guide the church. They are to know the word of God and be able to lead the flock in the will of God. The character of an elder is more important than their worldly accomplishments. These are the qualifications of an elder.
Above reproach - Within the church body he must be seen as a man of Godly character.
Husband to one wife - His relationship with his wife must be Godly. She should be able to attest that her husband is a Godly man.
Temperate - Not given to anger or fits of rage.
Prudent - Wise in the ways of life.
Respectable - Giving honor to others and worthy of honor.
Hospitable - Willing to share with others and be welcoming towards others.
Able to teach - They must know the word of God well enough to defend the faith and instruct others in it.
Not given to alcohol or drugs - Everything in moderation, displaying self-control.
Gentle - Seeking the best for others.
Peaceable - Seeking peace in all matters
Free from Greed - Money should not drive his desire, nor should increase of "stuff" be his main concern.
Be a good parent to his kids - If his kids are ungodly he will not give the body of Christ the guidance they need either.
Not new to the Faith - Someone in their first year of faith should never be considered for the role of an elder. But maturity should not be lacking reguardless of how long they have been a believer.
Above reproach - Within the church body he must be seen as a man of Godly character.
Husband to one wife - His relationship with his wife must be Godly. She should be able to attest that her husband is a Godly man.
Temperate - Not given to anger or fits of rage.
Prudent - Wise in the ways of life.
Respectable - Giving honor to others and worthy of honor.
Hospitable - Willing to share with others and be welcoming towards others.
Able to teach - They must know the word of God well enough to defend the faith and instruct others in it.
Not given to alcohol or drugs - Everything in moderation, displaying self-control.
Gentle - Seeking the best for others.
Peaceable - Seeking peace in all matters
Free from Greed - Money should not drive his desire, nor should increase of "stuff" be his main concern.
Be a good parent to his kids - If his kids are ungodly he will not give the body of Christ the guidance they need either.
Not new to the Faith - Someone in their first year of faith should never be considered for the role of an elder. But maturity should not be lacking reguardless of how long they have been a believer.
Apostles
Apostles extend the gospel. As the "sent ones," they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, networking trans-locally. Yes, if you focus solely on initiating new ideas and rapid expansion, you can leave people and organizations wounded. The shepherding and teaching functions are needed to ensure people are cared for rather than simply used.
Apostles passion is expansion of the kingdom of heaven. They are similar to evangelist in many ways, in that they bring the good news to those who don't know about it. They also have a passion to build leaders in the church. Their focus is kingdom reality now.
Apostles passion is expansion of the kingdom of heaven. They are similar to evangelist in many ways, in that they bring the good news to those who don't know about it. They also have a passion to build leaders in the church. Their focus is kingdom reality now.
Prophets
Prophets know God's will. They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo. Without the other types of leaders in place, prophets can become belligerent activists or, paradoxically, disengage from the imperfection of reality and become other-worldly.
Prophets have a deep passion to see the will of God done, lived out in the lives of others. They tend to focus on hearing God and helping other do so as well. God brings messages of correction and encouragement to the church through prophets.
Prophets have a deep passion to see the will of God done, lived out in the lives of others. They tend to focus on hearing God and helping other do so as well. God brings messages of correction and encouragement to the church through prophets.
Evangelists
Evangelist recruit. These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to the cause. They call for a personal response to God's redemption in Christ, and also draw believers to engage the wider mission, growing the church. Evangelists can be so focused on reaching those outside the church that maturing and strengthening those inside is neglected.
Evangelist have a deep passion for the lost, those that don't know God's message of salvation. They have a passion for local outreach. God uses these people to grow His church and encourage the rest of the body to spread the good news.
Evangelist have a deep passion for the lost, those that don't know God's message of salvation. They have a passion for local outreach. God uses these people to grow His church and encourage the rest of the body to spread the good news.
Pastors
Pastors/Shepherds nurture and protect. Caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships, making and developing disciples. Shepherds can value stability to the detriment of the mission. They may also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.
Pastors have a deep passion for the needs of the people in the church. God uses them to connect believers to ministries God is calling them to, they give believers guidance.
Pastors have a deep passion for the needs of the people in the church. God uses them to connect believers to ministries God is calling them to, they give believers guidance.
Teachers
Teachers understand and explain. Communicators of God's truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God's will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ's word, and constructing a transferable doctrine. Without the input of the other functions, teachers can fall into dogmatism or dry intellectualism. They may fail to see the personal or missional aspects of the church's ministry.
Teachers have a deep passion to understand God. God uses these people to increase believers knowledge of God.
Teachers have a deep passion to understand God. God uses these people to increase believers knowledge of God.