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POSITION PAPER 3 – CHURCH STRUCTURESNotes prepared by the Rev'd Albert E Yorke
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Introduction
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INTRODUCTION1. This paper has arisen because: (a) Many in the fellowship are unfamiliar with our organisation; (b) Others are questioning the suitability of our structures and in particular the role of the Minister and other officers of the Church (c) The leaders are seeking to discover the organisation which will most effectively enable the building up of the body and extending its witness. BASICS OF CHURCH STRUCTURES2. We begin by affirming certain beliefs which are the foundations of this discussion: (a) Christ is King and Head of the Church (Col. 1:18), its sole and absolute authority; (b) Christ and his will for the Church are revealed in the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16 & 17). (c) The Church is a local assembly of believers (Gal 1:2) and the worldwide church is a spiritual unity of those churches and believers, not a monolithic institution. (d) Each local church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer Christ’s teaching (Rev. 1:8; Matt. 18:17). 3. Therefore the Church is: (a) Not a DEMOCRACY with the will of the majority prevailing, but where Christ’s will is discovered and obeyed; (b) Not a BUREAUCRACY where an impersonal organisation decides and controls what happens. Each believer is called to play a part. (c) Not a DICTATORSHIP where one powerful leader imposes his understanding and will on the people. Hearing Christ is shared. (d) Not an ANARCHY with every believer free to do what is right in his own eyes. Every believer is responsible to the Church and for the Church. 4. The Church is a CHRISTOCRACY. Christ rules his Church through the Scriptures, and by his Spirit, calling and gifting leaders to oversee His work, but using every believer to discern His will and share in His ministry to others. BAPTIST PRINCIPLES5. These are the principles we hold with conviction. They are the beliefs that have acquired the label ‘Baptist’, and we are a Baptist Church because we are the inheritors, recipients and guardians of these Godly traditions. They are not man made traditions, but Apostolic traditions to stand firm in and teach others (see Thess 2:15). 6. It is because of these traditions that we are [able to meet together][1], and free to discuss these issues. Most other denominations have their structures prescribed by Synods, Conferences or Headquarters far removed from the local church. You either take them or leave them. 7. Nevertheless, although our structures are flexible, they are only so within the constraints of our regulating Trust Deed, which seeks to reflect the principles we have outlined. BIBLICAL CHURCH STRUCTURES8. If the Scriptures are the revelation of Christ and his Will, what do they show us about Church Structures? Let us look together. 9. But first two words of caution: (a) we only have time to sketch not to paint; (b) there is no biblical blueprint of structures, only guidelines. THE CHURCH MEETING10. As Baptists, we believe the Church Meeting has a fundamental role in the structure of the Church. Every believer should gather with the brethren to share in the government of the Church, as indicated by a number of New Testament passages. (a) The Church meets to discipline (Matt. 18: 15-20) (b) The Church meets to hear about a problem and to choose additional leaders under the guidance of the Apostles (Acts 6 1-6) (c) The Church meets to choose elders ‘by show of hands’ with prayer and fasting (Acts 14 21-23) (d) The Apostles and Elders debate a crisis but the whole Church is given opportunity to approve of the solutions (Acts 15) (e) The Church meets to hear about the progress reports of evangelistic and missionary work. (Acts 11:27) 11. The Church Meeting has an important role to: (a) Discipline (b) Choose leaders (c) Approve decisions (d) Discuss problems (e) Hear about outreach, etc.
[1] amended for editorial clarity. Notes prepared by the Rev'd Albert E Yorke
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