Elders and Leaders God's Plan for Leading the Church - A Biblical, Historical, and Cultural Perspective

by Getz, Gene A.; Smith, Brad; Buford, Bob

• ISBN13: 9780802410573
• ISBN10: 080241057X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-01
• Publisher: MOODY

Summary

Strong leadership in the church is exactly what God had in mind. However, very few people, Getz believes, understand the biblical pattern for church leadership. He has written Elders and Leaders to unravel the mystery and alleviate the confusion surrounding this critical topic. In the first part of the book, Getz lays the historical and biblical groundwork for the position of elder. In the second part, he shares how he has applied or has seen these principles applied over the years.

Author Biography

Gene Getz is the senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church North in Plano, Texas. He's the best-selling author of over 50 books and the host of the radio program, "Renewal"

Table of Contents

Foreword	11	(4)
Acknowledgments	15	(2)
Introduction: "Who Leads the Church?"	17	(6)
Part 1: Foundations
1. Flying in Formation: A Community Project	23	(10)
2. Our Frame of Reference	33	(6)
3. Discovering Supracultural Principles	39	(8)
Part 2: The Biblical Story
4. The Ekklesia of God (A.D. 33)	47	(6)
5. The Elders in Jerusalem (A.D. 45)	53	(8)
6. A Prayer and Healing Ministry (A.D. 45-47)	61	(4)
7. The First Church-Planting Mission (A.D. 47)	65	(6)
8. The Law-Grace Controversy (A.D. 49)	71	(4)
9. Character-Based Judgments (A.D. 49-50)	75	(6)
10. Respect and Esteem (A.D. 51)	81	(6)
11. The Ephesian Elders (A.D. 58)	87	(6)
12. Leadership Qualifications (A.D. 63)	93	(8)
13. Assistants to Elders/Overseers: Deacons (A.D. 63)	101	(10)
14. A Woman's Role in Ministry (A.D. 63)	111	(12)
15. The Household Model (A.D. 63)	123	(8)
16. Financial Support (A.D. 63)	131	(8)
17. Protection and Discipline (A.D. 63)	139	(8)
18. Shepherding God's Flock (A.D. 63)	147	(8)
19. A Doctrine of Character (A.D. 65)	155	(8)
20. Marriage and Family Requirements (A.D. 63, 65)	163	(10)
21. Serving with Joy (A.D. 66-70)	173	(10)
Part 3: Scriptural Observations
22. Titles and an Overarching Function	183	(8)
23. Specific Leadership Functions	191	(10)
24. Selecting and Appointing Elders	201	(8)
25. Plurality in Leadership	209	(2)
26. The Need for a Primary Leader	211	(16)
27. Accountability, Delegation, and Forms	227	(10)
Part 4: Supracultural Principles and Practical Applications
28. Principles for Leadership Appointments (Part 1)	237	(12)
29. Principles for Leadership Appointments (Part 2)	249	(12)
30. Principles for Leadership Functions (Part 1)	261	(12)
31. Principles for Leadership Functions (Part 2)	273	(8)
32. Principles for Leadership Functions (Part 3)	281	(6)
33. Age Requirements	287	(6)
34. Leadership Selection	293	(8)
35. Board Size and Length of Service	301	(6)
36. More Form Questions	307	(10)
37. A Succession Plan	317	(8)
Appendices
A. Use of the Word "Church" (Ekklesia) in the Book of Acts and the Epistles	325	(6)
B. A Biblical Perspective on Healing	331	(10)
C. Determining a Candidate's "Maturity Quotient"	341	(4)
D. Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers	345

Excerpts

In defining the "church," we tend to focus on the literal definition of the word ekklesia, which actually means an "assembly" or "congregation" of people. However, this definition is too narrow when we observe the way believers functioned in the New Testament world. Biblical writers used the word to describe Christians whether they were gathered for worship and practicing certain rituals or scattered throughout a particular community-in their homes, at work, shopping, visiting relatives, or recreating at the local spa. Furthermore, each believing family in a given community, ideally speaking, was to be the "church in miniature" and the father the primary spiritual leader (1 Timothy 3:4-5). In order to understand the scriptural meaning of the local church, we must think in terms of people in relationship-not structures, not meeting places, not buildings. New Testament writers used three basic concepts almost exclusively to describe the church as God's people in community. They were called disciples, brothers, and saints.