WHO RUNS THE CHURCH?
In many of our own churches, especially the small ones, there is much unrest between elders and evangelists, and over such things as music styles and control issues. Ignorance of Scripture and/or lack of submission to the will of Christ–these are responsible for many of our problems.
As we search for leaders, we must take the right approach to the question, Who runs the church?
3 kinds of authority in the New Testament church:
- LIMITED AUTHORITY
Authority arising out of freedom, Galatians 5:1. This kind of authority resides in the fact that we are free in Christ to believe and act according to our own convictions regarding the teachings of Scripture.
A congregation is a group of believers who have banded together to serve Christ as a unit in their geographical area. Together they make choices, informed by Scripture, that affect them all. Therefore the congregation has the final say in matters of opinion or inference that affect the congregation as a whole. The congregation has no other authority.
E.g., choice of leaders. Again, informed by Scripture and their own knowledge of candidates for leadership, they have the right and responsibility to choose leaders which they believe meet Scriptural qualifications and their needs. Furthermore, since the congregation chooses leaders, it can also dismiss them.
E.g., distribution of money. Since the money that has been contributed to the congregation’s stewardship, the congregation has the right to disperse the money in any way that is Scriptural, legal, moral, and reasonable.
Individual Christians have the final say in matters of opinion that affect only themselves. E.g., in their convictions regarding faith and morality.
In all cases, the exercise of authority must be accompanied by an equal exercise of responsibility to study the Scriptures, follow them in all things, and then make the best decisions possible.
2. DELEGATED AUTHORITY
Authority arising out of responsibility, Hebrews 13:17. Everyone who is given a responsibility must be given the authority necessary to carry out the responsibility.
Elders, 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Tit. 1:7.
Evangelists, Tit. 1:5.
Ministry Leaders, Acts 6:2-3.
Being put into a position does not automatically give anyone the right to make decisions or act without considering the people who will be affected.
3. FINAL AUTHORITY
Who has the ultimate authority? Matthew 28:18. No one, no individual, no congregation, no church, no tradition, no organization, no institution has the right to set aside the written word of God (the Bible).
Authority arising out of position, Ephesians 1:22-23. Christ has this ultimate authority because of his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God.
Only Christ has the kind of authority that must be obeyed just because of who he is.
Christ speaks through Scripture. John 14:26; 16:12-13. All Scripture is the word of God. John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16.
Teachers of the word have this kind of authority only so far as their words are in agreement with the word. 1 Peter 4:11; Titus 2:15. It is, in fact, not their authority but the authority of the word which they are expounding.
CONCLUSION
Who runs the church? Christ does, through his word and through providential guidance.
What authority does the leadership of a church have? Delegated authority, to act on behalf of the congregation in matters not big enough to take to the congregation as a whole. Evangelists also have the authority to carry out the responsibilities set forth for them in Scripture, particularly in 1-2 Timothy and Titus. Elders have the authority to carry out their responsibilities as shepherds of the flock, as taught in Scripture.
