Miguel Labrador's Blog, page 21

The Recognition and the Appointment of Elders in the Church

Tomorrow night’s Discipleship Group will cover the second part of a 6 part series on Church Leadership.  It will center on an aspect of Church leadership which has given me much angst. Namely, that of recognizing and appointing elders.  There is little in the New Testament on the actual process of appointing elders, and in fact only two mentions of it.  Those are Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5.

These examples show that in one case, the appointment of elders followed disciple making (which includes evangelism) Acts 14:21-23:

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

In the other case, Titus was delegated to “appoint” elders by Paul.  Titus 1:5

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you”

Again, we can extrapolate very little on the process of appointing elders from these two verses.  We can however know more about the characteristics of elders from these passages:

1 Timothy 3:  ”It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”  

and

Titus 1:  ” For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

It is important to distinguish the qualifications of and elder and the recognition and appointment of an elder.  They are two different things.  Certainly and elder must have those qualifications.  For the purposes of this post, I will not ask my normal 3 questions, but these ten:

1.  Are Elders to be appointed in the Church today?  What is the biblical justification for your answer?

2.  What did is mean to “appoint” and Elder?  What should it mean today?

3.  Does the appointment of elders justify the modern-day church’s practice of ordination?

4.  Are elders to be appointed only by Apostles or their delegates?

5.  Is Eldership an “office?”

6.  Is Eldership a “position?”

7.  Is it ok for a man to want to (aspire to) (desire) (seek out) the role of an Elder?

8.  How does one get to be the kind of leader spoken of in Hebrews 13:17?

9.  Since there is no biblically justifiable leadership hierarchy in the New Testament Church, how do we define words like “obey,” “submit,” “oversee,” “lead,” “take charge,” and “rule.”

10.  Are Elders still needed for special circumstances such as praying for the sick (James 5:14), shepherding the sheep (1 Peter 5:1,2), and protecting them from wolves (Acts 20:28,29)?

In answering these questions, try to avoid what some would call “good and necessary consequence” from logical conclusions.  I come from a strong Presbyterian background and I have been steeped in the logical exaggeration on the role of, recognition of, and the appointing of Elders. 

 
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7 Ways to Sneak into and Keep a Church Leadership Position

Convince people that it’s a needed and biblically warranted hierchacal position.

Convince people that leadership is a “Spiritual Gift” (Romans 12) which some have and others don’t, and that the Ephesians 4:11 gifts are “Leadership Gifts.”

Convince people that they should esteem you higher than themselves.

Convince people that leadership in the New Testament Church is the same as leadership as modeled in the Old Testament Era.

Convince people that Hebrews 13:17 really means “you must obey your leaders.”

Convince others and speak often about the importance of “coverings.”

Convince yourself that people need to do what you say.

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Jesus Didn’t Reduce All of the Bible’s Commandments to Just 2

In cooking, reduction is the process of thickening and intensifying the flavor of a liquid mixture such as a soup, sauce, wine, or juice by boiling. Reduction is performed by boiling liquid until the volume desired is reached by evaporation.

In mathematics, reduction refers to the rewriting of an equation or a mathematical expression into a simpler form.

In Chemistry, it is a chemical reaction in which hydrogen is added to, or oxygen is removed from, a compound. Opposite of oxidation.

Do any of these definitions apply when it comes to the reduction of the Bible’s commandments?  Some are prone to say or insinuate that Jesus “reduced” all of the Bible’s commandments to just 2.  Let’s take a look.

One of the Pharisees, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

There’s simply no justification for the idea of reduction here.  The Greek κρέμαται (krematai) can mean “hangs on,”  ”depends on,” “is summed up in,” or even “is based on.”  The same word is used to describe the two thieves “hanging” on each side of Jesus at the crucifixion. Luke 23:39

What’s the point?  If we think that Jesus “reduced” all of the commands to only two, then we are likely to reduce their import in both being and making disciples.  The making of disciples requires and is accomplished by the means of “Teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.”  Matthew 28:19,20  

A disciple of Jesus “hangs on to” “depends on,” and “bases” their followership on the sum total of all the commands so that they may obey the two greatest commands.  They are not the only commands.  A disciple is never made by teaching someone these 2 commands and then leaving them to figure out how.  They knowledge and obedience of the commands are fleshed out in community.  The how depends on, is hung on, and are summed up in ALL of the other of Jesus’ commands.  If you reduce Jesus and His commands, you reduce and repackage Jesus Himself.  A few questions:

What are the dangers in overemphasizing that there are only, really two commands?

What are “all” the commands of Jesus?

Is using the word “reduce,” when it comes to the greatest commandments, wise?

Would you like to see “ALL” of Jesus’ commandments laid out in an organized form with scripture references?  CLICK HERE 

 

 
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Is The Church What It Is, Or What It Does?

Before answering “both,” prove it!  Search the scriptures and provide justification for your answer.  What texts would suggest that the church is what, or who it consists of?  What texts would suggest that the church is what it does?  What are the results of confusing the purpose of the church with the church itself?  

 
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What Should Multicultural Disciple Making Look Like?

From time to time I’ll ask a 7-word question or make a 7 word statement.  I call them 7 Word Provocations.  Here’s another one:  

 

What should Multicultural

Disciple Making Look Like? 

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What Do We Need Church Leaders For?

Believe me, I’m not being snarky or condescending when I ask this question.  But, if you are a church leader, why do we need you? If you are not a church leader, why do you think we need them?  Anyone can answer these questions.  Your thoughts? 

 
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Was Discipleship Happening at the New Testament School of Tyrannus?

“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.  This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” Acts 19:8,9,10

Paul the Apostle journeyed to Ephesus before and was fulfilling a promise he made to return.  Acts 18:21  This text opens with Paul’s arguing or reasoning persuasively about the Kingdom of God.  In other words, he was proclaiming the gospel.  His time in the synagogue was productive, but eventually, the minority opposition voice made it impossible to continue.  Paul took his new his new disciples, Acts 19:1, and went to a place called the School of Tyrannus.”  There, he did the same thing and more that he was previously doing in the synagogue.  I say more, because The region of Ephesus exploded in the faith.

Paul would write layer in scripture, the following concerning the Ephesians:

“To the saints in Ephesus,a the faithful in Christ Jesus”  Ephesians 1:1

and

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesian 1:15,16,17

There was a multiplying movement that was a direct result of what took place in that school.  The details of exactly what Paul was teaching, who else joined him, and what kind of system they had, are sketchy.  Regardless, I’ like to ask one question:

Was Discipleship Happening at the New Testament School of Tyrannus?

 

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Harvesting Harvesters, or Making Disciple Makers Of Those Without Means

I can remember having a discussion with an elder of a local church in North Carolina about how much it cost to make a disciple.  No, I’m not talking about how much it costs to be a disciple, that costs everything.  Matthew 16:24  I’m talking about how much the average congregation expends financially for every new “church member.”  When he told me that figure, I about dropped my four dollar Frappuccino!  Let’s just say it was in the thousands… 

Fast forward a few years…

Now, along with my wife, we find ourselves in the Andes Mountain’s Cloud Forest Region of Ecuador working with those who are primarily harvesters themselves.  Literally, the people here are land workers, laborers, harvesters, and caretakers of other people’s land.  These are people who barely, in most cases, have enough money to make it through the next week, let alone the next month.  And yet, this is the vine that the Lord has us tending.  

How is it possible to make disciple makers of those who do not have means?  It’s simple, the support, for now, comes from outside.  We could debate for hours as to whether or not it affects the future sustainability of the movement here, but for now, this is the way the Lord has chosen to work.  There is no financial return on investment.  There is no making church members of those with means hoping to recoup some of the cost it took to make them a disciple of Jesus.  There is no passing of collection plates among them.  What there is though, is giving out of their poverty to those who have need. Acts 2:45  There is a genuine desire amongst those who have been made disciples to make more.

Getting around in this part of the world is still very challenging.  Had it not been for the support of generous people and congregations outside of Ecuador,  it’s probable that we would have seen less “success.”  Regardless, what it costs financially to make a disciple here is but a fraction compared to more developed countries.  Throwing money at the unsaved has rarely, if ever been an effective salvation tool.  The gospel is the power unto salvation for those that believe.  Romans 1:16

Our “results” if you will, are not based on some secret system or clever strategy.  Nor is it a journey that hasn’t cost all of us greatly.  The ten, yes, ten generations of disciples making disciples, is all based on the price that Christ paid on the cross.  Romans 6:23  It’s based on the furtherance of the Gospel.  It’s rooted in loving God, loving our neighbors, and the desire to make disciples.  It’s rooted in one anothering.  Getting that gospel to where it needs to go is always under the Lord’s direction and providence.

Sometimes, and I do mean sometimes, I allow myself to fall under the criticism of those who say that my goal should be to created a self-sustaining disciple making culture and bug out.  It’s as if we’re doing something wrong by being a continual withdrawers verses depositors.  Then I remember, it was the Lord who called us here, and we will remain and continue to do what we do until He calls us to go somewhere else.  

I’d like to say we’ve discovered the key to effective disciple making, but in reality, we’re just a couple of folks who have stumbled along the path trying to figure it out.  Our last name, “Labrador” is the word that’s used in the Spanish Bible for Vine Worker.  We too are just harvesters, laborers, and caretakers of someones else’s property and people.  

This post will serve as part one of a series, Lord permitting…  

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What’s Wrong With This Disciple Making Picture?

On a whim, I put “Making Disciples” in the search box of Google Maps.

 This is what came up.  

What’s wrong with this picture?

 
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Mock Missions Moment #1 – An Interactive Scenario. What would you do?

Flash forward past all of the prerequisites of getting to go on a short-term missions trip…

“Hi, my name is Richard, mind if I ask you a question?” (Through a translator)

“Sure! Go right ahead.”

“Have you heard of Jesus?”

“Yea, a bit.”

“What’s your name?”

“Manuel.”

(Richard) “Ok, Manuel… Do you know that Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?”

(Manuel) “He does?”

(Richard) ”Yes!”

(Manuel) ”Can I ask you a question?”

(Richard) ”Certainly!”

(Manuel) ”You’re A Christian, right?”

(Richard) ”Yes, I am.”

(Manuel) ”And you believe what that Bible of yours says is truth, right?”

(Richard) ”Of course!”

(Manuel) ”So, when the Bible says, ‘Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.’ Matthew 5:42 , you believe that to be true, right?”

(Richard) ”Well… yeah, sure.”

(Manuel) ”So, if I were to ask you for….”

(Richard) ”Wait!… I know where you’re going with this, but like Peter the Apostle once said, “money I do not have, but what I have I give you.” Like Peter, I’m here to give you the Gospel, not money.”

(Manuel) ”Oh, so you’re saying that those nice shoes, backpack, clothes, and hat were all given to you? You didn’t buy them?”

(Richard) ”No, I’m not saying that… I did buy them.”

(Manuel) ”So you do have money?”

(Richard) ”Well, sure… but not a lot.”

(Manuel)  ”So, you didn’t come here prepared to do what Jesus tells you to do?” 

(Richard) “No, I didn’t say that.”

(Manuel) ”But you’ve got “enough” to stay at that nice hotel/restaurant where I’m a dish washer… Where I see the meals you eat and all of the very costly things you have…. and, you did fly an airplane to get here, right?

(Richard) ”yes… I suppose all of that is true.”

(Manuel) ”So, again, since it is within your power to do so, and since you’re a Christian, and since the bible says not to turn away anyone who wants to borrow from you, and since you’re preaching Jesus so that I can know Him too, can I borrow 100 dollars?”

*** End of Scenario***

What would you say or do next with Manuel?

 
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