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1. Which form of church government
is the correct form?
2.
Why have a church constitution? Isn’t the
Bible enough?
3.
Why have purpose and vision statements?
4.
Why
have church membership? Isn’t being a member of the Body of Christ enough?
5. Why have elders
and deacons?
6. What are some
of the responsibilities of elders in the church?
7.
What
are the responsibilities of the congregation in the church?
8.
What
are the lines of communication at CBC? How do “lines of communication”
work?
9. Is
“mutual submission” optional for a Christian? What results from
“mutual submission?”
10. A Quote Note
Christians
have held to various forms of church government such as Episcopal
with a hierarchy of bishops over priests; Congregational
with the people of all differing maturity levels and doctrinal persuasions
making the spiritual decisions; Patriarchal such as home
churches where a key family or leader informally leads the church;
Apostolic, with present day apostles leading the church.
We believe that the scriptures clearly teach an Elder led
local church.
Acts
14:23, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church
Acts
20:17, From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the
church
Titus
1:5, straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders
in every town
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The Bible is enough
for us as believers, however for us to give tax receipts and meet
other governmental guidelines it is helpful for us to be incorporated
and therefore have a constitution. Though some make a big deal about
“The Bible Only” in reality they have an informal constitution since
they often have doctrinal beliefs and a form of church government
that they require for “you to be considered spiritual.” Our church
constitution lets you know upfront who we are, how we operate, and
what we believe about key Bible truths.
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These are the ways in which we can communicate clearly
to those who attend and who are considering attending, what we believe
the Lord has set as the direction, purpose and future of CBC.
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We believe that
everyone, from the first Christian of the first century, to the
last Christian born again just a twinkling of an eye before the
rapture of the church, from every nation and language are part of
Christ’s Body. Church membership is not about being part of the
Body of Christ but about identifying with a local church in a specific
geographical area. By joining a person is saying, “We believe doctrinally
what this local church believes and we want to go where God is leading
it.” The principle of having a list of people who met certain qualifications
is not foreign to the NT (1 Tim 5:9, No widow may be put on the
list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her
husband.) The wedding ring good illustration of a practice that
is not required biblically. But because a ring is not a biblical
requirement, it needs to be also noted that it is not NON-biblical.
A ring is a culturally important symbol of identification that shows
love and commitment to those who observe it. We believe that in
a similar way, that church membership is a helpful symbol of identification.
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These appear in
scripture as two offices that continue throughout the church age
until the Lord comes back for His church.
Phil 1:1, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi,
together with the overseers and deacons
1 Tim 3:1, if anyone sets his heart on being
an overseer, he desires a noble task
1 Tim 3:8, Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy
of respect
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1 Peter 5:2-3, Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care,
serving as overseers
James 5:14, call
the elders of the church to pray over him
Acts 15:6, The apostles and elders met to consider
this question
Acts 16:4, the decisions reached by the
apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey
Acts 11:30, This they did, sending their gift to the elders
1 Timothy 5:17, The elders who direct the affairs
of the church well are worthy of double honor
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Acts 12:5, So Peter was kept in prison, but the church
was earnestly praying to God for him
1 Corinthians 10:32, Do not cause anyone
to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
1 Corinthians 14:12, try to excel in gifts that build
up the church
1 Corinthians 16:2, each one of you should set aside
a sum of money in keeping with his income
2 Corinthians 8:5, they gave themselves
first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing
Hebrews 13:17,
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch
over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their
work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage
to you. (Note: “Obey” in Heb. 13:17, has the idea of allow them
to persuade you ... be open to what the Lord would teach you through
them.)
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Besides the weekly
bulletin, bi-monthly newsletter, brochures, church website, bulletin
boards, and annual reports you can always ask questions. Seek out
a staff member, elder or deacon and ask your question. Communication
is a two way street that requires people who have questions to initiate
the communication process. Mind reading is not a highly developed
gift at CBC. Ask and re-ask if the answer is not clear.
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Mutual submission
is a key value at CBC. We desire mutual submission between the generations;
between the church body and the church leadership, and between those
who are new to CBC and those who have attended a long time.
Ephesians
5:21, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
1 Corinthians
16:16, submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the
work, and labors at it
Romans 12:3,
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think
of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God
has given you
Job 22:21, "Submit
to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity
will come to you
Phil 2:3, Do nothing
out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves; 1 Peter 5:5, Young men, in the same
way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
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“With respect
to the duties of an elder, there is a continuity with the basic
tasks of the elder in the Old Testament. All elders have the task
of oversight and discipline of the congregation (Acts 20:28) and
all have the responsibility to rule and guide the people of God
with the Word in a manner that is pleasing to God (Acts 20:29-31).
Also elders in the new dispensation are to preserve and nurture
life with God in the covenant community (1 Thess 2:11-12). In executing
this task they are in the service of their risen Lord (to whom they
will have to give account; 1 Thess 5:12; Heb 13:17) and they are
empowered by his Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 12:4-6).” (Evangelical
Dictionary of Biblical Theology)
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