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Church Study Series: The Bible-Presbyterian Church Government 3

Dear BPCWA worshipper, so far, we have understood the roles of elders, deacons, members, and the purpose of elections. As a worshipper in the church, we all must love God’s church and must be interested to know how God intends His church be governed.  I hope that the study has not been something that you are uninterested in. Church government affects the church as a whole, and an orderly church is well-pleasing to God, not to mention that it ensures unity and peace. While it is not necessarily a popular subject with Christians, it is a necessary subject that must be taught to every generation so that the government of the church is consistent through the ages for BPCWA and is according to God’s will and purpose.

What does it mean to you? We in BPCWA believe that the model of church government that we follow is based upon what was practiced in the early New Testament church. As such, we must staunchly uphold, support, and maintain this model in BPCWA as much as possible. We must believe and have faith that God’s system works. That is why we seconded an elder to form a Board of Elders in BPCWA. There may be times when we may not be in the most ideal situation, but should BPCWA have a lay elder in God’s time and will, we must be willing to change. One who agrees to take up an office in the church must be willing to step up and into that role and not be a mere figurehead. Ultimately, elders and deacons are based upon whom God intends for those roles and if He intends them for those roles, He will gift them with the spiritual gifts to perform those roles. One should not aspire to be in those roles if one knows (even if others don’t) that one is not qualified or disqualified from it. If so, we should also, with a good conscience toward God, resist efforts by any who may try to encourage us to take up a church office. No one should try to propose someone for office to curry favour or make him feel grateful that they are in office because he put them up. Mothers and wives should also learn from Matt 20:21 and not be ambitious for their sons or husbands for the sake of being in “positions of influence”. But all should instead endeavour to give our support to God’s workers for the progress of His work as He intends. On the other hand, if we have the gifts and do meet the qualifications, we should also not shirk from serving in the offices of the church simply because we want a more relaxed and easier life. There is a cross to be borne when one stands for an office.

There must be no informal leadership. The congregation should also support a model that adheres most closely to what we believe is Biblical, even if it means changing how we think after having understood the Presbyterian government system from Scriptures. So, it is very important to remember that we should not have “quasi” or informal church officeholders, i.e. people who think and act like they are church office holders when they have not been elected in. Order in a church means that there are officially assigned responsibilities and channels which should be followed. Not following it is therefore being disorderly. Those who have been elected into Session should be accorded the support as such.  There are a few common issues that often trouble churches. 1) There are the “wannabe” or self-appointed leaders. They are not elected into office, not appointed by the church but yet feel that they should lead others. 2) Those who previously held an office or official role in the church, and feel that they should be treated more or given more privileges and recognition than just an ordinary lay member even when they are no longer in the office or role. 3) Those who have been nominated or asked but either turned down the role themselves or were turned down by Session may feel that they are “special” compared to others.  How should worshippers respond to such ones? If someone is not officially appointed, do not approach them like they are. Speak to the officially and currently appointed people i.e. the Session members. Do not treat anyone as if they hold any current office in the church if they are not. If we do, we will eventually cause issues because they may not have the right information, give the right advice, or be able to resolve things rightly. If we used to hold an office or role and are no longer in it, we should not feel that we should still be treated so, but turn people to the right channels. I am thankful that we have some such good examples in our midst, people who understand proper church order and hence behave rightly. They have quietly retreated to the background such that newcomers may not even know of their past offices, much less look up to them. The church is grateful for those who used to serve in any capacity, but it must do what is orderly. Not treating one as still special after he is no longer in office is not unloving.

How to view the offices. The offices are meant to serve God and His church. They are not “positions of power” and “promotions upwards”. If anyone feels that serving is not enough and wants to have the “title” to go with it, then the person should not be in office in the first place. Such an attitude often ends up with many “title holders” who do not serve as they should i.e. they are just figureheads vying for positions that is all. We all should consider it a privilege simply to be able to serve and do so not caring about titles.  Not everyone is called to a church office, but everyone should be willing to serve. At the same time, those whom God calls, who are qualified and are not disqualified, must not refuse to step up if approached by the Board of Elders. Church offices are for orderly administration.  So let us not envy one another nor desire roles that He doesn’t intend for us. Instead, may we serve together in love only for one purpose – to work together to glorify the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Respond rightly for the sake of the future. Church polity is God’s means whereby His church, His local witness, functions. Good church polity will strengthen, support, and further His work. A lack of proper church governance will result in things being not “done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40). Having understood its importance, it is now time for us to come together to respond rightly. Also, we need to pray that God will provide for His church in this and future generations men of integrity that He will be pleased to use to further His work in BPCWA. This must be our burden because we want BPCWA to continue to be His witness here for generations to come. And if these are found within BPCWA and when they are approached by the leaders to serve, pray that they will be humble, earnest, sincere, and diligent in the use of what He has gifted them with for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor