ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION

1.     The words involved in this study
 

2.     Words are used interchangeably

a.     Acts 20

                                                    i.     17 – elders (presbyteros)

                                                   ii.     28 – overseerers (episkopos)

                                                 iii.     28 – to feed the church of God (poimien)

b.     1 Peter 5

                                                    i.     1 – elder (presbyteros)

                                                   ii.     2 – feed the flock (poimien)

                                                 iii.     2 – taking the oversight (episkopos)
 

3.     Every denomination tried to:

a.     Correct the corruption of the Catholic structure

b.     They made the same mistakes, just different terms

                                                    i.     Instead of Pope – President

                                                   ii.     Instead of Parish – Synod

                                                 iii.     Instead of Priest – Pastor

                                                 iv.     Instead of Councils – Conventions
 

4.     Much misunderstanding

a.     About the terms

                                                    i.     Pastor = preacher or minister

                                                   ii.     Deacon = member of a church board

b.     About the qualifications

                                                    i.     Must a pastor be married?

                                                   ii.     Paul was not married.

c.     About the duties of these offices

                                                    i.     Elders only over the spiritual

                                                   ii.     Deacons only over the material, physical

d.     About the structure of the church

                                                    i.     Autonomous congregations (self-governing)

                                                   ii.     Should there be a structure larger than the local church?

e.     About the area of power and authority

                                                    i.     Who has power?

                                                   ii.     What power do they have?

                                                 iii.     What limitations are there to that power?

                                                 iv.     Is there a system of checks and balances?