Servant
Leadership School
January 5, 2003
Since this class is going to be about what makes Calvary Chapel distinct, I
thought I’d share some interesting things I found about how to know of you’re
in the “wrong” church:
1. The pastor refers to God only as “Jehovah” and constantly exhorts the
congregation to “witness”
2. New members are required to
submit W-2s for the last 10 years.
3. The pastor regularly attends
conferences in Las Vegas and Atlantic
City.
4. The media refers to the church
facilities as a “compound”.
5. The church refers to the 10
commandments as the 10 suggestions.
6. The Women’s Quartet are all
married to the pastor.
7. The Scripture verse on the wall
has been replaced with the slogan, “This Buds for You.”
8. The church’s cross has been
replaced with a bronze pyramid.
9. Pastor preaches a knock out
sermon on ancient heresies and the elders want to make them part of the
doctrinal statement.
10. The pastors other job is that he’s known as “The Undertaker” at WWC
wrestling.
Class Organization
I’m not sure where we’re going with this Servant
Leadership School,
but for the possibility that we may one day move this towards a serious school,
I’m going to give grades for those who would want them. I’m going to suggest the following for grade
considerations. There will be three
things I’m going to ask you to do if you want an A for the class:
1. Show
up every week.
2. Read
the book and complete the study guide questions.
3. Have
a daily Quiet Time. I’d encourage you to
consider getting on our schedule of reading through the Bible in a year.
If you want a B for the class, then complete two of the three things. For a C, one of the three things.
For this week, your assignment was to read pages 1-27 of the Calvary Chapel Distinctives and complete
lessons 1-3 of the Study Guide.
Next Week’s Homework: Read pages 29-44 of the Calvary Chapel Distinctives and complete
lessons 4-5 of the Study Guide. We’ll be
doing two chapters a week from here on.
Note: I am a Calvary Chapel
Pastor. For a pastor to become
affiliated with Calvary Chapel, one of the things he needs to do is to read and
agree with the things in the book Calvary
Chapel Distinctives. Though the book
was written after our church became affiliated with Calvary Chapel, I do agree
with the things in this book. But I
don’t agree with them just so I can remain a Calvary Chapel pastor, I agree
with them because they express exactly what I believe. When Deb and I left the Baptist church twenty
years ago, we faced some decisions about where we were going to spend our lives
in ministry. I became a Calvary Chapel
pastor because Pastor Chuck believes and teaches everything exactly the way
that I see it in the Bible. I’ve come to
the same conclusions that he has come to on issues regarding the church,
beliefs, ministry, etc. The things you
are going to be reading about aren’t just Chuck’s ideas, these are things that
I wholeheartedly agree with. We’ll be
looking at what we believe as a church.
The Call To The Ministry
Q. What was the highlight of this
chapter of the book for you? (5 minutes)
One of my goals for these classes we’ll be providing on Sunday evenings is
that the Lord might raise up and equip leaders in the church.
But if you notice, we aren’t calling this a “Leadership” school.
I have no desire to be encouraging people who just want to be up front and
get a lot of attention.
We have called this our “Servant Leadership
School”.
When we talk about having a “call” to the ministry, we are talking about
being called to serve.
If you want to be involved in leadership in our church, you need to serve.
A servant isn’t one who “doesn’t do windows”. A servant serves.
It’s good to know if you’re called to the ministry because you’re going to
have days with good news and days with bad news.
Good News: You baptized seven people
today in the river.
Bad News: You lost two of them in
the swift current.
Good News: The Women’s Guild voted
to send you a get-well card.
Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30.
Good News: The Elder Board accepted
your job description the way you wrote it.
Bad News: They were so inspired by
it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the
position.
Good News: Mrs. Jones is wild about
your sermons.
Bad News: Mrs. Jones is also wild
about the “Gong Show,” “Beavis and Butthead” and “Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”
Good News: Your women’s softball
team finally won a game.
Bad News: They beat your men’s
softball team.
Good News: Church attendance rose
dramatically the last three weeks.
Bad News: You were on vacation.
Good News: Your deacons want to send
you to the Holy Land.
Bad News: They are stalling until
the next war.
God’s Model for the Church
Q. What was the highlight of this
chapter of the book for you? (5 Minutes)
We believe that the best model for the church today is found in the book of
Acts.
God used men who were led, guided, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
It’s God’s job to add to the church, not our job.
We believe that the Word of God is a top priority along with prayer.
We want God to be glorified. We want
people pointed to Jesus, not to us.
Church Government
As we read about in the book, Calvary Chapel Distinctives, there are three
basic types of church government today.
The Congregational rule is very
common today. It is a tradition among
Baptists. The church votes on
everything. There are committees for
everything. I think it goes well in America
because of the concept that everyone has a vote. But I would be hard pressed to find any
examples of this in the Bible.
The Presbyterian rule is one
based on elders. There would be a
council of elders who make the decisions for the church. The pastor is hired by the elders and reports
to the elders. We see this in the
Presbyterian churches as well as some independent Bible churches.
The Episcopal rule is based on
having a single person oversee the church.
Sometimes the hierarchy is just within the church, as with a pastor who
oversees the church. Sometimes the
hierarchy extends beyond into a denomination, where a bishop would oversee the
pastor, and archbishops over the bishops, etc.
This type of government is not only in the Episcopal church, but is also
found in the Methodist church and is the way that the Catholic church is run. The Catholic church is not a democracy.
Though we see in functionality three types of church government present
today (Congregational, Presbyterian, Episcopal), it seems to me that we only
see hints at two of these types in the New Testament, the Presbyterian and the
Episcopal.
To me, the difference is whether or not there is a plurality of elders
ruling the local church (Presbyterian) or whether there is a single overseer
ruling the church (Episcopal).
The Terms
Elder – presbuteros –
elder, of age; a term of rank or office; among the Jews; among the Christians,
those who presided over the assemblies (or churches). This is the origin of the word
“Presbyterian”.
I believe that the church picked up this title of “elder” from the Jews,
from the Sanhedrin.
In tracing the term in the New Testament, the first 25 times it appears it
refers to the Sanhedrin.
It does not start referring to “elders” in the church until Acts 11:30
(after appearing 4 times in Acts for the Sanhedrin)
There are some who have criticized our form of church government because we
have a model formed kind of like the model of Moses in the wilderness. Yet keep in mind, even the idea of an “elder”
is an Old Testament idea.
Bishop – episkopos – an
overseer; a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by
others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent; the
superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church. This is the origin of
the word “Episcopal”.
These terms seem to be used interchangeably in the New Testament.
(Titus 1:5-7 KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the
things that are wanting, and ordain elders
(presbuteros) in
every city, as I had appointed thee: {6} If any be blameless, the husband of
one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. {7} For a bishop (episkopos) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not
selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy
lucre;
Many Elders
There are places in the New Testament where it seems there are more than
one “elder” in a church:
Paul and Barnabas appointed “elders” in every church (Acts 14:23)
The first church council contained “elders” (Acts 15:2)
Paul called to meet with the elders of Ephesus
(Acts 20:17)
Titus was instructed to appoint elders in every city of Crete
(Titus 1:5)
If you’re sick you are to ask the elders for prayer
(James 5:14 KJV)
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Peter gave instruction to the elders (1Pet. 5:1-4)
There are 24 elders in heaven (Rev. 4:4)
Single Overseer
Timothy is instructed about the qualifications of a bishop (singular)
(1 Tim 3:1-2 KJV) This is a
true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (episkopos),
he desireth a good work. {2} A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to
teach;
In contrast, the qualifications for deacon is plural
(1 Tim 3:8 KJV) Likewise
must the deacons be grave, not
doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Elders were appointed in every church (Tit. 1:5), but it is not clear
whether there had to be more than one in each church.
The “angel” of each church
In Revelation 2-3, Jesus writes seven letters to the seven angels of the
seven churches. It is widely held that these “angels” are the pastors of the
churches. The term “angel” means
“messenger”. There is a single “angel”
over each church.
Paul, Timothy, and Titus
Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to appoint elders. Paul and Barnabas appoint elders.
But note that this indicates that Paul, Timothy, and Titus are over the
elders. Even though there might be more
than one elder in the church of Ephesus,
Timothy was over the elders. Even though
there might be more than one elder in each church in Crete,
Titus was over the elders.
There was an authority structure in the early church. Paul was over Timothy and Titus. They were over the elders.
Conclusion?
I’m not sure you can make an airtight case for plural elders or a single
elder. I see both happening.
I am not going to argue with a person who has a conviction about there
being multiple elders in a church. I
know several good churches who purposely don’t have a “Senior Pastor” because
they don’t want a single person to be considered in charge.
But I don’t think you can argue the case that there can’t be a single
person in charge either.
I think the Lord was purposely vague as to church government. I think we’d make a mistake about thinking
that we’re right and everyone else is wrong.
If we would be honest, even what little we know of early church
government is still cloudy. We don’t
know exactly what these “elders” did or how they functioned. Did they have “board meetings”? Did they take turns teaching? How was a church service run? It’s all pretty vague.
Our church is set up as a sort of modified “Episcopal” church. The Senior Pastor is in charge of the
church. You’ve just voted for three men
to be added to the Elder Board, but the way our process works is that the
pastor nominates the men in the first place, then they are approved by the
existing elders, and then the church has a say in approving these appointments.
I oversee the elders, but I am also accountable to the elders. We’ll talk more about this in a minute.
Priesthood of all believers
It has been suggested that the concept of a single pastor being the primary
person over a church goes against the New Testament principle of the priesthood
of all believers.
(1 Pet 2:5 KJV) Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
(1 Pet 2:9 KJV) But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light:
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. We believe that it is not necessary for
anyone to go to God through a mediator, but that we can all come to God through
Jesus Christ.
The problem of taking the priesthood of all believers and applying it to
church government is that the conclusion you have to come to is that EVERYONE
in the church is “in charge”. Why would
there be any type of leadership framework in the New Testament if this is the
case? Why would there be the appointing
of elders?
The priesthood of all believers affects our own personal relationship with
the Lord. It does not mean that there is
no authority structure in the church.
Moses’ Model
Pastor Chuck has picked up some lessons from following Moses’ model of
government, looking at Israel
in the wilderness.
Initially, Moses tried to do everything.
While they were escaping from Egypt
and initially trying to deal with everything, this worked. But as things settled down, it became obvious
that there was going to be problems of one guy making decisions and judgments
for two million people.
Elders
(Exo 18:13-24 NLT) The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the
people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from
morning till evening. {14} When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was
doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone?
The people have been standing here all day to get your help." {15} Moses
replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance. {16} When an
argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of
God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions." {17} "This
is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed. {18} "You're going to wear
yourself out--and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to
handle all by yourself. {19} Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God
be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God,
bringing him their questions to be decided. {20} You should tell them God's
decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct
their lives. {21} But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate
bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty,
and ten. {22} These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases.
Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But
they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry
the load, making the task easier for you. {23} If you follow this advice, and
if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and
all these people will go home in peace." {24} Moses listened to his
father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.
This was a great thing. The elders
helped spread the load of the civil responsibilities in the nation.
These elders would form the civil government of Israel. They would eventually evolve into the
Sanhedrin, a governing body of seventy men.
They would act as judges. When you
went to court, you’d stand before an elder.
They made civil decisions.
Priests
The priests were separate from the Elders.
The priests were in charge of the spiritual affairs of the nation.
At one point, there was a rebellion led by a man named Korah. He thought that anybody ought to be able to
be a priest. God made it clear that He
only wanted people He called to be priests.
The priests were the ones who were in charge of making the sacrifices and
performing the duties around the Tabernacle.
(Num. 18:7)
The priests were to teach the people the Law of the Lord. (Lev. 10:8-11)
Priests were also to be involved in judgment. (Deut. 19:16-19)
How does all this affect our church
leadership?
I think it’s allowable for there to be a difference between those who make
“civil” types of decisions and those who are minister in spiritual things.
Personally, I wonder if I haven’t made some mistakes in the past in
blurring the lines between these two groups.
I think that perhaps sometimes I’ve taken men who are absolutely
wonderful and appropriate to be making “civil” decisions and making them also
shoulder the spiritual leadership as well.
Our elder board is going to now be functioning more as the “elders” in Israel. Their main function will be to make financial
decisions, and to be making policy decisions (like how many vacation days does
a staff person get, or can the Youth Group have a fund-raiser to make money for
camp). This is how our By-laws were set
up originally.
Finances: I cannot spend money on whatever I want. I have a limit as to how much I can spend
without having the Board’s approval.
This acts as a check and balance.
Policy: Sometimes there is a
difficult decision to be made. It’s hard
to choose which way to go because somebody is going to have their feelings
hurt. Pastor Chuck talked about the July
4th picnic disaster. It’s
good to have a Board make those kinds of decisions so I don’t become the focal
point of people’s hurt (though that will happen anyway).
Does the Board approve everything I bring to them? No.
Because the Board oversees things like money and policy, doesn’t mean that
our board members are not to be spiritually minded men. They are still to be examples to us all.
Like the “priests”, we are moving towards pastors and “staff” being those
who meet the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Currently we have two ordained pastors – Dave Dunagan and I. We have other folks who serve in a “staff”
position, including the Youth Directors Greg & Caleb, the Director of the
Children’s Ministry (George), the heads of the Men’s and Women’s Ministry
(Craig & Debby), and a few others.
These are the people I see as being used by the Lord to meet the spiritual
needs of the church.
Moses oversaw both the elders and the priests. He’s the one who set the direction of the
nation. That’s the position that we
believe the pastor ought to have. He is
a shepherd over the flock, not a hireling.
At the same time, I am still accountable to those around me as well as to
you and the Lord. I am not an
all-powerful dictator. Hopefully I’m a
benevolent dictator.
“But what if I don’t like you being
in charge?”
I think there are two healthy responses a person can make who has feelings
like this.
Submit – I think there is great
value in learning to submit to someone you don’t agree with.
That may sound like I’m trying to brainwash you and keep control of you,
but it’s the absolute truth.
I think that MANY times in our lives we don’t learn the kinds of lessons
that God is trying to teach us because we don’t learn this most difficult of
lessons – submission. It’s all about
learning to do things you don’t particularly want to, but you do it
anyway. If you can’t submit to the
leadership of a church, if a wife can’t submit to her husband, if a child can’t
submit to their parents, if an employee can’t submit to their boss …do you
really think that you can submit to God?
I don’t think you can.
This isn’t just about submitting to “me”.
I think this is all about having a leadership structure in the
church. I think that a person in charge
of the Children’s Ministry ought to have a sense of being able to make decisions. Those who serve in the Children’s Ministry
ought to learn to submit to a person in authority. Those who serve on the Worship Team ought to
be willing to submit to Dave’s leadership in this ministry. I don’t think that this means that we can’t
give suggestions. I don’t think this
means that we can’t talk about things.
But in the end, the one in charge ought to be able to make a decision.
I remember several times while on staff at Calvary Chapel of Anaheim where
I didn’t agree with a decision that Pastor Mark made. There were some tense moments, times when
people I agreed with left the church.
But I know that I made the right decision by staying back and learning
to support Mark, even when I didn’t agree fully with him. I learned a lot by doing that.
Sometimes the lesson of learning to stick together and support each other
is more important than getting every decision right.
Leave – you can leave and find a
church that fits your particular style.
There is nothing wrong with that at all.
I have no desire to try and force people into staying at a church they
don’t want to be at. I’ll even give you the
names of some good churches you can consider.
But do it with a good spirit.
Don’t bad mouth people. Don’t try
and divide the church.
Over the years, we’ve seen some unhealthy responses that a person can make.
Grumble – this is what the
children of Israel
did. They didn’t leave, but they were
unhappy with things. They continually
grumbled against Moses. It hurt them. It hurt Moses. It hurt the Lord.
Rebel – get people on your side
and try to change things.
I think there is mindset that a person thinks they’re going to right all
the evils in the church and so they go out to conquer the “dragon”. But I think that person has deceived
themselves.
Look at how David reacted towards Saul.
Things were horrible for David, but he never went out and killed
Saul. He didn’t organize a rebellion to
overthrow Saul. He waited until God took
care of Saul. Then later, when David was
king, his own son, Absalom decided he would make a better king than David. He organized a rebellion and did to David
what David did not do to Saul. Absalom
is not looked upon as the “good guy”. He
was out of line.
You may even successfully turn things over, but I think you’ll have a
difficult time with the Lord with being a rebel. You may have some people on your side, but I
think you’ll find yourself fighting with God.