Christ the Head of the Church

God has ordained and established the eldership to be the strength in His body. The elders are set in the Body to do the work of the ministry. Paul wrote,

"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." *** Ephesians 4:11-12

When Christ, the Head, speaks to His body, He speaks through His eldership, whether it be two or seventy. He will speak with one voice to all. If the eldership is hearing the voice of the Spirit, there will be no misunderstanding of what the Holy Spirit's purpose is, and decisions will be with no disagreements. When the eldership is established on this basis, and operates in this fashion, Christ truly will become the head of His body; the church.

Peter gave strict instructions to the eldership. They are to feed the flock of God. Whose flock? God's flock! The eldership is to oversee the flock, not try to change the flock of God into their image, or have the flock become what they think it ought to be. The eldership is to bring the flock into the unity of the faith, into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, not by constraint, by force, or unwillingness and not for filthy lucre (to be eager for base gain). The elders are, instead, to have a willing mind. They are not to lord over God's heritage (His body). Elders are to be examples to the flock. Their lives should exemplify Christ in everything they do and say.

It is not the eldership's job to tell the sheep how to be sheep. It is their job to lead God's sheep, His heritage, beside the still, pure waters and in the green pastures. The still waters are the uncorrupted Word of God. The green pastures are where they can feed on the things of God that produce life. The eldership is to see that God's heritage can find rest, and walk in the paths of righteousness. The elders are to minister to God's heritage, His name-sake, His Christ-Ones through the Holy Spirit. Paul gave the elders, who operate in God's order, a promise,

"When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." *** I Peter 5:4

The next order God sets in the church are the Deacons; the Laborers. The word deacon is the Greek word DIAKONOS and means "servant or attendant". DIAKONOS is not always translated deacon. It is also translated "servant or minister".

The deacons responsibilities consisted of taking care of the church. The deacons were to be the head of the labour force. The position of a deacon is the training area for leadership.

One of the most important attributes in leadership is a servant's heart to serve God's people. The young man who desires the office of a deacon must first have a proven record of being willing to labour and learn as a servant. The qualifications for a deacon are very similar to those for the eldership. If deacons are to be raised into the position of eldership, they must show the same attributes necessary for the elders. The deacon must desire to say as Jesus, "I want to minister, not be ministered to."

The third group in the church are the learners, or the disciples. The word for disciple is MATHETOS and means "a learner; those who accomplish, endeavor and learn to do". Jesus called His disciples unto Himself to teach them His ways. It is the eldership's job to teach their disciples God's ways, His order, His principles, and His judgments.

There are only three members in the church: leaders (elders), laborers (deacons) and learners (disciples). When these three come into God's order, God will again release His power, authority and blessings upon the church.

Other Related Books