How We Function
The New Testament indicates that the church must have godly leadership. God has high standards for those who hold the offices of leadership in the church. The standards are clearly prescribed in
1Timothy 3:1-12. According to these verses, the two offices of leadership in the church are pastor/elder and deacon.
PASTORS/ELDERS
The words, elder, overseer, and pastor are used interchangeably in the Scriptures. (Acts 20:17, 28 and 1 Peter 5:1-4) The office of pastor (overseer/elder) is to be held by a man who exemplifies the character qualities described for him in 1Timothy 3:1-6. The New Testament encourages plurality (more than one pastor) in the local church. (Acts 13:1-4; 14:23; 20:17; 1Timothy 5:17 and 1 Peter 5:1) Each pastor/elder shall have a primary or specific area(s) of focus for oversight such as education, administration, etc. All pastors on the pastoral staff may and shall exercise full authority as a leader and pastor in the church.
The pastors will ensure that sound doctrine is preached, taught, and practiced/obeyed. (1Timothy 4:15-16 and Titus 2:1). Pastors must reprove, rebuke, and exhort with godly love and great patience and instruction as the members mature in the Word. (2Timothy 4:2) They are responsible for praying for members and studying the Word of God.
In addition to teaching and preaching, pastors are also responsible for:
Decision-making or administration (1Timothy 5:17)
Keeping out false doctrine (Titus 1:9-11)
Discipline (1Timothy 1:19; 1Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
Pastors are to be added to the pastoral staff only as the needs of the church dictate: when existing pastors cannot minister effectively because of increased ministry demands.
There will also be a chairman among the pastors. This is also consistent with the pattern of leadership throughout the Scripture, including the New Testament order for the local congregation.
(Acts 15:1-29; 1Timothy 4:12; and Titus 2:15). The chairman will ensure unity and effectiveness among the pastors. He will also ensure that pastors discern and apply God’s will for the congregation.
DEACONS
The office of deacon is to be held by a man who exemplifies the character described in 1Timothy 3:8-10,12. Candidates for this office shall be selected (or nominated) by the congregation when pastors are no longer able to effectively meet the physical needs of the membership (Acts 6:1-6). A deacon candidate may then be ordained (approved) for ministry by the pastors only after he has proven, over a period of time, that he truly has the character mentioned above. The primary responsibility for deacons is to ensure that the physical needs of the membership are met, especially the poor and helpless. This will include such things as handling the collection of offerings, preparation and administration of the church budget, distribution of food, clothing, money, etc.
The number of deacons shall be determined by the pastors. This will be done after prayerfully considering the physical needs of the church and their ability to meet them effectively.
TREASURERS
The church treasurers shall be deacons who have clearly demonstrated the ability to handle finances accurately, who sense the call of the Lord to this ministry, and are approved by the pastors for this ministry. The treasurers shall ensure that all financial transactions are handled accurately and efficiently. They shall also maintain an official record of all financial transactions.
CONGREGATION
The members of the church are to be equipped by the leadership to do the work of service or ministry (Ephesians 4:12). True ministry, as God designed it, must be done by the members of the local church individually and collectively. Every individual member of the church has been appointed by God to the local church for a specific service (ministry); to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18 and Ephesians 4:12). Each member must identify needs in the church and needs that others outside the church may have. Each member should then seek the Lord and counsel from other Christians for ways to meet those needs through their unique spiritual giftedness. This is the method by which ministries begin and are maintained.
There are also some specific duties prescribed for the congregation in
1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These instructions were given to us as Christians so that we “may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God (1Timothy 3:15).
Members are to:
Pray for public authorities (1Timothy 2:1-2)
Financially support older blood relatives (1Timothy 5:4-8)
Honor elders/pastors financially (1Timothy 5:17)
Be godly employees (1Timothy 6:1-2)
Be content with the essentials of life (1Timothy 6:6-10)
Moreover, each Christian is instructed to be filled with the Holy Spirit in accordance with Ephesians 5:18. As a result, each Christian will be empowered to obey the Lord in all areas of life and relationships, i.e. family, church, government, employment, school, etc.
ALL MINISTRIES
According to Romans 12:3-8, God has given each Christian a spiritual gift to motivate him/her into service or ministry for the Lord. As each Christian spends quality time in prayer and in the Scriptures, God will begin to reveal how He has gifted them for ministry. Likewise, as each Christian spends time in worship and fellowship with others, they will discover specific needs that can be met for individuals and for the church collectively. Out of a sincere and loving desire to meet these needs, ministries will emerge.
All ministries must be approved by and under the authority of the leadership. For example, the church leaders ordained Timothy by the laying on of hands (showing their approval), and sent him out to assist Paul in ministry (Acts 16:1,2; 1Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).
AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Trinity Community Church receives the scriptures as its authority in matters of faith and practice. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and all authority is derived from Him (Ephesians 5:23 and
Matthew 28:18). God has given leaders to the church for equipping, feeding, and protecting the saints. Therefore, because leaders will give an account for their stewardship over the souls of the saints, God says that leaders should be respected and obeyed. Leaders, however, are never to lord their authority over any member of the church
(Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:17; and 1 Peter 5:1-3).
Each Christian is challenged to test the spirit and fruit (deeds) of a leader’s life and if these are inconsistent with scripture, an appeal should be made to that leader for change in his life (1Timothy 5:19 and Matthew 18:15-17). Leaders will always be open and considerate toward godly appeals for change where error has been made in their motive, methods, words or deeds. The Lord Jesus is the ultimate authority in the church and each member will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for their life. Therefore, each Christian should live their life in godly fear of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
The Great Commission of Trinity Community Church is to MAKE DISCIPLES (Matthew 28:19-20). This is to be done by going, baptizing, and teaching. We believe that we must go and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved. We believe that after salvation, the Christian should obey the Lord in baptism, communion, and other essentials of the faith (Acts 2:37-47). We also believe that the Christian must be taught the way of maturity with sound doctrine.
Amen