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Understanding The Roles of Those Who Build Up The Church- 6-8-15

       Understanding The Roles of Those Who Build Up The Church

Written by Kevin E. Jesmer                                                                                            6-8-15

Inspired by the leadership teaching of Pastor Stephen Leston of KBC

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Acts 6:6-7,

“6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (ESV)

 

The following is a discussion about the different types of people God uses to build up the church. The body of this discussion was derived from material that was provided by Pastor Stephen Leston of Kishwaukee Bible church. (June 2016). In the material, the various roles of the Apostles, Establishers, Elders (including shepherds and pastors), and Deacons are discussed.

 

There are various roles that servants of God play in the formation of the church in the first century. These roles all work together. They provide a paradigm for mission; a view of mission; guidelines for caring for the flock; establishing future leadership as well as the local church. All of the positions must be represented in the church and must be in balance.

 

There are four positions that will be discussed, Apostle, Establisher, Elder (Shepherd/Pastor), Deacon.

 

     First, the apostles. These are not the same as the original twelve apostles, who were face to face with Jesus. “Apostle” literally means, “One who is sent.” These people are inspired with vision to advance the mission on new fronts. Being apostolic involves breaking new ground with new vision for the future. It involves visionaries and missionaries who are able to take Christ and the gospel to new areas where the Gospel is not known. It involves grappling with the popular culture to see it transformed by the Gospel in permanent ways. Long lasting, influential and global Christian movements operate in an apostolic environment, fronted by those who are functioning as apostles.

 

The way the church advanced was that God sent Apostles ahead to pioneer new works of God. As they were pioneering new regions, they were developing Establishers. Establishers were then left in the city to establish the church in a particular location.

 

An example of such an apostle would be Barnabas. We can see two apostles working together, Paul and Barnabas, cultivating new ground in the Lord’s harvest field, in Acts 14:8-18,

 

“8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.”  (ESV)

 

Second, Establishers. Establishers serve to establish the church. The way the church advanced was that God sent Apostles ahead to pioneer new Gospel works. As they were pioneering new regions, they were developing Establishers. Establishers were then left in the city to establish the church there. They put things in order and train and establish the next generation. They lay out and strengthen the foundations of a developing church. They network between existing churches and newly established churches. In other words, they have the skill set to move between a work already running and new works that are just forming.

 

They also had the gift mix in the area of training. They were gifted in producing the next generation of leaders. They trained both elders and deacons.

 

Though they hold a unique role in the church to appoint elders, they are not going to stay any length of time as an elder in any location. In the New Testament, it seems as if Timothy, Epaphroditus and Titus were living among the church for a season, to carry out a specific work. Then, they were sent somewhere else to develop and strengthen other churches.

 

From time to time, Establishers were brought back to the church to ensure that the church’s foundations were solid and strong. They were put in the position based on their gifts and according to the affirmation of the elders, not necessarily based on their age. Examples of establishers are Timothy and Titus.

 

Titus 1:5 reads,

 

“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—“ (ESV)

 

Third, Elders, Shepherds, Pastors.  These servants of Christ, shepherd and teach the flock of God so that the congregation may be faithful and remain aligned to the Word of God in the Bible. Elders stay in a certain location to shepherd the flock in God’s Word and to reveal the love of God. They show care for one another and work hard to see the church find its maturity in building each other up in love.

1 Peter 5:1-4 reads,

 

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (ESV)

 

Fourth Deacons. Deacons were put into their positions in the church. It was their role to serve alongside the elders, caring for practical needs, making sure that the ministry of mercy was being carried out faithfully. Deacons provide the Gospel care for the flock. They could do this through counseling or other forms of care. Some of the “hands on” things they do are what pastors are doing today. Like Elders, Deacons stay in a certain location to shepherd the flock in God’s Word and to reveal the love of God. They show care for one another and work hard to see the church find its maturity in building each other up in love.

 

We can find examples of Deacons in the choosing of the Seven in Acts 6: 1-7,

 

“6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (ESV)

 

Look at 1 Timothy 3:8-13, as it says about Deacons…

 

“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must[b] be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

 




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