LEADING THE CHURCH

C. Ermal Allen

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sooner or later everyone is affected by their choice of leaders.

When selecting leaders, we need to know what is expected of the leaders.

3 mandates for leaders of the church:

General Mandate: What is the overall purpose of church leaders?

Ephesians 4:11-13

Equip the members for service. The ministry is not the work of the few but of the whole membership.

Lead the members to maturity in faith and in a living relationship with Christ.

Requires people to follow, for leaders cannot lead where people will not go.

Specific Mandates: What is the work of each type of leader?

Apostles, Acts 1:22, bear witness of the resurrection of Jesus, the foundation of faith.

Prophets, 2 Peter 1:21, provide further inspired instructions from God to the church.

Evangelists, Titus 1:5, plant and organize churches. Lead established churches into better service. (Timothy was in a church established several years earlier.)

Pastors, 1 Peter 5:1-3, elders to shepherd the flock.

Present Mandate: What will be expected from the Temporary Leadership Council?

Represent the congregation in decisions not big enough to take to the congregation.

Requires the congregation to be very careful in selection.

CONCLUSION

Ask yourself:

As one who attends this church, what is my role in selecting leaders?

What will be my role in working alongside our leaders?