CHURCH DECISIONS
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
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CHURCH DECISIONS
Introduction:
I was asked a question that deals with how the church makes decisions.
The one who asked is not a church member and found themselves at an annual meeting of a church.
Im going to say some things that relate to the decision making process of the local church. Understanding these things is important to the present and future well being of the church, any church. Im quite certain there are many churches today that do not recognize their importance, and consequently are experiencing great difficulties maintaining harmony and producing effectively to the edification of the members and preaching the Word.
I. Christ Established A Kingdom:
A. In Prophecy: Dan. 2:44, to be Gods kingdom not mans.
B. King suggests the nature of His rule:
1. He is King, Rev. 15:3, etc.
2. You are His servant --- church purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28)
3. He is the Lawgiver, James 4:12.
4. He is the Judge, 2 Cor. 5:10.
(Board members/deacons/elders speak freely of these things but then deny them when it comes to how the church makes decisions)
II. Monarchy Not Majority Rule.
A. The head ( Eph. 5:23) is the King.
B. Kings decree stands -- 2 Jo. 9, Doctrine of Christ.
1. Doctrine: Bible authority rules! New Covenant all sufficient.
2. Denominations convene and pass laws of their own liking. Often with some new thing a hot debatemuch hot airbut in the end the voice of the majority NOT the Truth carries. Why? Most do not understand the simple points above.
3. Warning: Members of local church best beware of having THEIR OWN CONVENTION so to speak and deciding against the Kings decree in any matter! Cowardice and compromise are not just found at human conventions and away from the working of the local church! Often find both within the workings of the local church!
III. What Is The Local Church?
A. A body that belongs to Christ:
1. It has a Head: Eph. 5:23-24. Members must learn to let the church be subject to Christ in everything.
2. It has Law: Gospel, New Testament (Matt. 26:28).
3. Oversight: Elders/deacons when qualified (I Tim. 3: Tit. 1).
a. Ordained by His word to see things are done scripturally, Acts 14:23;
Titus 1:9.
b. Too often board members associate doctrine with their qualifications (I Tim.3; Titus 1) and fail to associate their rule (Heb. 13:7,17) with their seeing that The Bible not the vote determines the course the congregation should take! Titus 1:9 states it clearly! Not even the decisions of elders count when they decide to go against Gods Word.
4. In Majority Rule the vote not the Bible determines the course of congregation.
IV. When Board members Choose The Vote Versus The Word.
A. Whats Wrong with Majority Rule?
1. NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MATURITY AND IMMATURITY. In Heb.
13:7 those who rule possess knowledge with which to rule. If no knowledge then should not be ruling! See principle of maturity teaching while immaturity learns --- no novice.
2. ENCOURAGES THE UNQUALIFIED TO ASSERT THEIR OWN WILL. We dont decide on ones think so derived more from likes and dislikes rather than instruction in Gods Word. Whether young or old, decisions must be based upon the Word.
3. ROBS NOVICE OF MOTIVATION TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT --- Heb. 5:12-14..
a. Weve all seen members in Gods Word voicing themselves strongly in matters they knew nothing about. In Majority Rule this ignorance carries as much weight as knowledge with proper application. Allow such with some persuasiveness (politicking) and worldly wisdom (justifying actions without scripture) and Gods Word is countered and human wisdom prevails. Back to the need of a King!
4. IT PLACES ELDERS IN SUBJECTION TO THE MAJORITY INSTEAD OF THE MAJORITY UNDER THE RULE OF THE ELDERS.
a. When done right: Word---> rules---> ALL; and Elders rule by the Word.
b. Majority Rule pleases the majority, but not necessarily all who would be ruled by Gods Word.
c. Reverses Heb. 13:17. Puts pressure on elders to act only as will please the majority instead of what will please the Lord.
d. Elders are only competent when measured by the Word and their willingness to comply; incompetent when measured by the voice of the majority and not by the Word. There is no one more scared than an elder/s today who tries to please all --- he lives in fear, he acts out of fear, he decides against the Truth and those who would have it!
e. We need qualified elders; we need congregations who appreciate the Lords wisdom and will submit to them when they are qualified and rule with the Word. But this cannot and will not happen without acknowledging the King! The words Lord and King and Head help keep our thinking straight here.
5. IT ENCOURAGES POLITICS. People begin to get instructed on how to vote!
Some members vie for power and go electioneering to get enough votes to be in the majority!
Such has and still does lead to:
a. Preachers being fired because they upset half of the congregation. How many times have we heard that one? I had an eldership that kept intimidating me with that once until I finally said, Fine, now you tell me who they are because I preached the truth and want to talk to them personally about how they feel about the truth I preached, and then Ill get back to you as how we can convert them. Of course they didnt tell me who they were --- their politics wouldnt allow them to do that! They just sat there with their mouths closed. I even gave this kind of treatment a special name: I named it The Silent Treatment i.e. elders who cant answer a scriptural argument or rebuttal or request so they sit there dumbfounded! This is the kind of thing preachers get when elders try to please the majority rather than the Lord Jesus Christ! (They did manage to get me to resign after a while of this treatment.)
b. Boardmembers/Deacons being installed not because they are qualified but because theyll support the the Majority. The good ole boy qualification rather than scriptural qualifications! Then with enough politicking on the part of a Deacon you can even have a Deacon who acts like and thinks hes an elder! Why? Because he knows that he became a Deacon as a political move and that the next political move for him will be for him to be made an Elder.
c. Elders who intimidate the righteous and those who speak sound doctrine.
d. Congregations that quit studying and applying the scriptures.
Congregations that do not want applicable preaching! They adopt the old, We dont preach on that here or We dont preach that way here philosophies --- meaning we like it soft here because we are the Majority! Yes, board members, where Majority rules there is no searching the Scriptures to determine what is right. And that is why the Majority should not automatically rule!
6. IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR A DICTATOR.
a. When congregations do not depend wholly upon the Word then any person skilled in the worldly arts of speech and persuasion can take control. Such will take a good mixer who thrills the women, young people, the indifferent and unhappy and give him the reigns and let him lead. Oh how such mixers can revive the zeal (??) of deadbeats! How they come to life when catered to and petted to their own liking! Often times he even leads the elders who are like sheep before him in their incompetence. He leads as long as he can keep the Majority, then let another come along who is more captivating and the course of the church changes again. There is no King in such situations, only confusion and rebellion against Gods Word.
V. Some Decisions Are Decisions of Judgment.
A. Authority --->Sound Doctrine --> Applies to ALL at all times.
1. Important thing in matters of doctrine is you recognize that the decision made kept us within the guidelines of Gods Word.
B. Judgment on issues like seating, cooling, carpets, etc. --- in such as this there is judgment and the decision made is made for the best good for all concerned.
1. Important thing here is consensus for the Word teaches we must work for solidarity in both belief and sentiment. Proper attitude in relation to one another, Phil. 2:3-4; Rom. 12:9-10. Deference is needed and demanded in such decisions for not everyone likes green as well as blue, etc., etc. Opposite of this attitude is summarized in word strife which is ambition and self seeking.
2. Problems arise when someone demands their own way. When one or more feel they must control.
Conclusion:
What does it take to have a sound Church body and then have a good business meeting?
Honesty.
Sincerity.
Deference in organizational matters such as seating, cooling, meeting time, etc.
And above all implacability in sound doctrine in order to stay within the New Testament patterns for the organization, worship and work of the church.
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