God’s Design for Church Leadership

To watch the sermon that this blog is based on click here

Every single Christian will constantly face the pressure - the draw - the inclination - to think more like the world than the Bible.

To be successful in this - you need to continually re-calibrate your thinking to the teaching, principles, and structures and framework of God’s Word. 

We’re currently studying through 1 & 2 Timothy and learning a great deal about how one ought to conduct himself (or herself) in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

The last three verses of chapter 2 are still in view as we arrive in Chapter 3. 

God's design for men and women is literally woven into the fabric of creation. He also has a Design for leading and serving His church (and every other aspect of life).

God’s design is so amazingly good and beautiful and awesome that we ignore it to our own detriment and at our own peril.

Always remember first and foremost: 

The goal of the church

Is the glory of God

1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1, & 1 Peter 5 out the basic framework that Scripture teaches about God’s design for church leadership:

Pastors serve by leading

Deacons lead by serving. 

Quick reminder: the terms Elder, Bishop, Overseer, Shepherd, and Pastor are used interchangeably in the New Testament and all refer to the same role. 

Three Questions today:

  • What are the roles?
  • What do they do?

  • How does that play into how we glorify God?

Two Roles: 

Pastor

Deacon

The foundation of these two roles is found in Acts 6. One of the best descriptions of the role comes from Acts 20 when Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders.

The Role of Pastor

1. Pastors oversee the church

Guiding the church to carry out its task in the world. 

God gives pastors as gifts to the church to guide the church in obedience to the Word

2. Pastors shepherd the church

As a shepherd cares for the flock, pastors shepherd the church of God as they:

Guard

Guide

Feed

3. Pastors teach the church

The supreme priority for a pastor is God’s Word.

You don’t follow the leadership of a pastor because of his title - but because he has a passion for the Lord and for the Word.

You follow Him because: 

he knows the Word

he follows the Word

he teaches the Word

4. Pastors model Christ to the church

The emphasis is on character. It’s not about age, worldly success, or personality. It’s about being Christlike.

No pastor will ever be perfect. 

It’s not about perfection

It’s about direction

Can you follow the direction of his life?

The Role of Deacon

Deacons are those who not only serve, but catalyze service.

1. Deacons meet practical, physical needs

2. Deacons serve the pastors so they can lead in their responsibilities

They serve in specific, ways - taking care of the practical and physical things - so that the pastors can focus on the service of the Word.

3. Deacons Facilitate Others in Serving

There’s no way that seven men could take care of all the food distribution themselves. They would have been enlisting others to help, leading teams to address this need.

4. Deacons foster unity & Point the Body to the Word

The problem in Acts 6 was leading to disunity

It was causing division - a huge distraction

Deacons were appointed to resolve the issue, relieving pressure, removing tension, and

promoting unity

They shifted the focus back to the Word, the mission and vision of the church.

How does all this play into glorifying God?

God’s design is that the gospel be put on glorious display. Knowing the theological information in your head isn’t something to set aside or take lightly.

God’s design is that we see what the life-transforming power of the gospel looks like in a practical way by giving us servant-leaders to show us what living the Christian life looks like

Men who are committed to leading us in the accomplishment of our task. Who use their gifts and talents to build up the Body of Christ

Who strive to see the Jesus proclaimed.

Who are committed to the unity and sanctification of God’s people. 

When we follow God’s design - He is glorified.

The result of following God’s design is seen in

Acts 6:7 – And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

That’s what we must be about

All the time - in every way

We must seek to follow God’s design

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob