40 Questions About Elders And Deacons

by Merkle, Benjamin L.

• ISBN13: 9780825433641
• ISBN10: 0825433649
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-31
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional

Summary

Organized around common FAQs, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons tackles the major questions that pastors, church leaders, and students ask about congregational church government, a topic of significant interest in the church today. It provides readers with a clear analysis of key biblical passages and succinct answers (4-8 pages each). The unique format of the book allows readers to pick and choose what issues are most pertinent to their interests and needs. Thought-provoking discussion questions for each topic make it ideal for either personal or church-wide study. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Benjamin L. Merkle is professor of New Testament at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 11
Introduction	p. 13
Abbreviations	p. 17
Offices in General
Why Is It Important to Have a Biblical Form of Church Government?	p. 21
What Are the Various Forms of Church Government?	p. 26
Does the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 Support Episcopalianism or Presbyterianism?	p. 31
What New Testament Evidence Is There in Support of Congregationalism?	p. 38
Are the Offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, and Priest for Today?	p. 46
How Many Church Offices Are There Today?	p. 54
The Office of Elder
Questions Related to Background Issues
What Is the Background of the Terms "Elder" and "Overseer"?	p. 61
What Is the Origin of the Christian Elder or Overseer?	p. 66
Do the Terms "Elder" and "Overseer" Represent the Same Office?	p. 76
Does 1 Timothy 5:17 Make a Distinction Between Two Types of Elders?	p. 84
What Is the Role of an Elder?	p. 89
How Much Authority Should the Elders Have?	p. 95
Were Timothy and Titus Pastors/Elders?	p. 101
Questions Related to Qualifications
What Are the Situational and Family Qualifications for an Elder?	p. 109
What Are the Moral Qualifications for an Elder?	p. 117
What Does It Mean That an Elder Must Be "the Husband of One Wife"?	p. 124
Must an Elder Be Married and Must His Children Be Believers?	p. 130
What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Can Be Elders?	p. 135
What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Elders? (Part 1)	p. 142
What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Elders? (Part 2)	p. 150
Questions Related to the Plurality of Elders
Should Each Church Have a Plurality of Elders?	p. 161
How Many Elders Should Each Congregation Have?	p. 166
What Is the Relationship Between Staff Members and Elders?	p. 169
Should There Be an Equality (Parity) Among the Elders?	p. 173
How Should the Elders Make Decisions?	p. 178
What Are the Advantages of Having a Plurality of Elders?	p. 183
Why Do So Few Churches Have a Plurality of Elders?	p. 188
How Does a Church Transition to a Plurality of Elders?	p. 192
Questions Related to the Selecting, Ordaining, Paying, and Removing of Elders
How Should Elders Be Selected?	p. 199
Should Elders Have Terms or Serve for Life?	p. 204
Should Elders Be Ordained?	p. 209
Should Elders Be Paid?	p. 214
What Should Be Done If an Elder Is Caught in Sin?	p. 219
The Office of Deacon
What Is the Background of the New Testament Deacon?	p. 227
What Are the Qualifications for a Deacon?	p. 233
What Is the Role of a Deacon?	p. 238
What Is the Relationship Between the Office of Deacon and the Office of Elder?	p. 244
What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Can Be Deacons?	p. 249
What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Deacons?	p. 253
Is It Important to Use the Titles "Elder" and "Deacon"?	p. 259
Selected Bibliography	p. 263
Scripture Index	p. 265
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