March 11, 2018
Behind the Scenes
Leadership in the Church
Pastors
Lead Pastor
There are 3 words in the New Testament that are used interchangeably to describe the role of Lead Pastor
Presbuteros - Elder - Those with mature spiritual experience to lead the overall spiritual direction of the church.
Titus 1:5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders (presbuteros) in every town, as I directed you.
Episkopoi - Overseer / Bishop - Appointed to exercise oversight over the practical workings of the church.
Titus 1:7
Since an overseer (episkopos) manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
Poimen - Pastor / Shepherd - Spiritual leader who cares for people in the church and helps walk them through life.
Acts 20:28
Be shepherds (poimen) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
We know these 3 words all describe one position in the church because of the way they are used interchangeably in the New Testament in a couple places…
Acts 20:17,28
In this section, Paul is speaking to the “Lead Pastors” of the Ephesian church -
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders (presbuteros) of the church.
…and a couple verses later in the same thought…
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopoi). Be shepherds (poimen) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
So what does that job look like?
Titus 1:5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is selfcontrolled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
This is a big job! It’s a God-called position that takes on the spiritual responsibility of leading the entire church.
Other Pastors in the Church
These positions are not pastors like the Lead Pastor position is. When we talk about those other roles (Worship Pastor, Youth Pastor, etc) we’re not talking about the office of Lead Pastor, we’re talking about people who give themselves to pastoring people, generally in a particular ministry. This is a person who focuses on the gift of pastoring
that is talked about in Ephesians 4.
Lead Pastors in the Bible are never women.
Every verse in the New Testament
that talks about that role, talks specifically about men. But, other pastoral and overarching leadership positions
in the Bible do contain women:
Priscilla in Acts 18
- Served alongside her husband, Aquila, and was a leader in the church of Corinth.
Junia in Romans 16 -
Was a core leader of the church in Rome who Paul mentions as “outstanding among the apostles.”
Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4
- Mentioned as evangelists and coworkers of Paul who, “contended at my side for the cause of the gospel."
Lydia in Acts 16 - Was one of the core leaders of the church at Philippi
.
Nympha in Colossians 4
- Lead a group of people in Colossae
.
There are women all over the new Testament who pastor people to Jesus in an incredible way.
Other Leaders at Living Faith
Leadership Team
Presbuteros - Elders
Help set the overall direction of the church, Plan the calendar, Pray about issues that come up, Handle legal and large practical procedures
Ministry Team Leaders
Episkopoi - Overseers
Help lead ministries and people serving in those ministries, Call our church to action in their areas, Lead us to greater places with Jesus in their areas
Life Group Leaders
Poimen - Pastors
Help pastor people in the church,
and make sure everyone has someone to go to with troubles, Administrate Discipleship to make sure everyone is discipled, Do smaller outreaches in our communities and on campus, Lead Life Group meetings each week
No one is in their role as a leader in our church is there because they are incredibly talented… We have some talented people, but they do what they do because they are passionate, humble, teachable, and care about God’s Kingdom over everything else.
Titus 1:6-9
6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is selfcontrolled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
If you are wanting to lead in the church, you need to aspire to serve Jesus and to serve people above all else… Not to have a position.
Lead Where You Are
Someone, somewhere looks up to you as a leader in their life. So for ALL of us, as leaders, we need to:
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Communication Card
- I will commit to pray for the leadership of my church.
- (Non-Leaders) I will pray about what my role in the church should be this week.
- (Leaders) I will work to abide more in Christ in my ministry this week.
