The Business of Administration of the Church (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Business of Administration of the Church” - the president of our country chooses his “cabinet”, a group of advisors made up of the heads of executive departments, and he ensures that he surrounds himself with the best qualified men and women to hold these various offices. This is the format that successful church assemblies should use in selecting their department heads. A successful assembly should train capable men and women, and become very acquainted with these workers. The apostle Paul instructs us “to know them which labour among (us) and are over (us) in the Lord, and (who) admonish (us)” (I Thessalonians 5:12). Beloved, many times churches are handicapped in their attempted ministries by a lack of well-trained personnel. In addition, in order to have a successful ministry, the church is obligated to forge bonds and relationships among its members. Paul goes on to instruct us that we should “esteem them (the workers in the church) very highly in love, for their works’ sake...and (to) be at peace among (our)selves” (I Thessalonians 5:13).

Precious Ones, the pastor should therefore be informed, so that he or she would be able to train and make able assistants for each of the required offices of the church. Beloved, in the complex 21^st century society in which we live, the pastor needs much knowledge in addition to that contained in his/her Bible and songbooks. For example, there is nothing, to my knowledge, to instruct a spiritual leader concerning Internet operations. This is just one of many challenges that one faces in this time which the scriptures do not directly address. Therefore, Beloved, in order to equip a local assembly to be well balanced and technologically apt to effectively minister in this age, it is necessary for these professions to embroider the leader.

Chosen Ones, each pastor should adopt, for the local assembly that the Holy Spirit has placed under his/her leadership, a code of ethics or governance by which the business of the church should be operated. We have already accomplished this at the Anointed Harvest Fellowship Church. God’s Word enjoins us to comply with every ordinance of man. “Render...unto Caesar (the kings of this world) the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:25). Beloved, let our church be set in order according to God’s plan and according to the laws of our country, and we will not offend either God or man.

I will write more on this subject next week.

I love you all SO very much!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Business of Administration of the Church (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Business of Administration of the Church” - when God’s methods are used, all needs will be supplied. While it is necessary and essential for the church to keep accurate records of all monies kept (which we are delighted to report that we do here at Anointed Harvest), it should always be remembered that the Church does not own the people’s money. This is not a banking establishment or a credit union. All monies that come into the church belong to God, and must be “administered” as He directs. Remember, we are taught in the Acts of the Apostles (in actuality, the Acts of the Holy Spirit) that “all (who) believed were together (in one accord), and had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). Beloved, this is the way that the first established church administered its business. We would do well to follow their pattern. In addition, it is said that “there (was not) any among (the saints of the first church) that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet (at the feet of the local pastors or overseers, and again) distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 2:34-35). Beloved, I’m not the author of these words - they are straight from the scriptures.

Precious Ones, in order for this task to be effectively accomplished, a pastor must surround himself with various helpers made up of the best material and character available in the church. Again, Beloved, I say this because the early church set the pattern for us. As recorded in Acts 6:3, the pastors chose “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, (to) appoint over...business”.

I will write more later on this subject. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Business of Administration of the Church (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Business of Administration of the Church” - it is true that our names are “written in heaven” (Revelation 13:8), but all churches should keep a complete record of the members over whom God has placed them. Our God has a definite plan which we would do well to implement in our church. It is still believed by some that “tithes” are under the Law, and is merely an Old Testament doctrine which is not applicable today. However, Beloved, please consider this - the scripture teaches us that we are “(the true-born) sons of Levi” (Hebrews 7:5), and a “royal priesthood” (I Peter 2:9). According to Hebrews 7:5, “they that are (today)...of the sons of Levi; who receive the office of the priesthood (ministry) have a commandment (not a privilege, but a commandment) to take tithes of the people according to the law”. In other words, Beloved, pastors today are “commanded” by God’s law to receive “tithes” from the congregation. Furthermore, the system of the law required “the sons of Levi” to keep a record of those who worshiped God with their tithes and offerings (see Leviticus 27). Each pastor should see that this is accomplished in God’s Church. The system of Tithing is ordained of God. It is a vital part of “the business of administration of the church” to give a tenth of your increase to the House of God.

Precious Ones, tithes began with Abraham long before the Law was handed down to man (see Genesis 14:20), but there was no designated system in Abraham’s time. The Law, which came to us during the time of Moses, merely gave us God’s system of tithes and offerings - a system which we must follow even today (see Hebrews 7:5). Beloved, a close study of the laws concerning the proper system of tithes and offerings is very enlightening. Tithes were designated for the particular purpose of providing for the priest, and, special additional offerings were designated for the temple (see Numbers 18:24-32). How then can the business of the church be properly administered if this principle is lacking in the church?

Chosen Ones, no business of any size could exist unless provision is made for running expenses (overhead), depreciation, taxes, etc. In like manner, God, through the system of tithes and offerings, has made provision for every expense incurred in running a local church such as ours.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much!

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Business of Administration of the Church (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Business of Administration of the Church” - no one man can carry out all the tasks that need to be performed in a church. The work requires more than just a handful of members. Furthermore, the growth of a church (and we are growing rapidly) demands an increase in the level of organization. Although the Pastor is to retain leadership in all things, he/she cannot, by him/herself, provide leadership over every individual auxiliary that is required for the proper functioning of the church. For example, there may be matters that arise concerning grievances between individual members. In Jesus’ great wisdom, He teaches that if this occurs, and the problem cannot be resolved between the individuals directly involved, then one should “take with him one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:15-17). Sometimes, there are differences in opinion concerning how certain tasks should be carried out in the church. That is why, in God’s wisdom, He has provided that a Board of Elders should represent the church. This Board may consist of “two or three”, and a larger church may require several more. It is the same in this nation’s government. We, as United States citizens, have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It would be impossible for every case to be presented before all of our citizens, so we elect men and women to represent us, and their decisions become the decisions of the people.

Precious Ones, the Apostle Paul puts it another way - “Dare any of you (Christians), having a matter against another, go to the law (court) before the unjust, and not before the saints?” (I Corinthians 6:1). In other words, Christians are not to allow the United States judicial system to handle grievances between them! It is therefore necessary for a church to have “court” to deal with all cases that may arise. Again, the members involved in such cases would be a representative group and not the whole body. In the United States legal system, a case is stated as “the people vs. the defendant”, yet not all of the people are present to try that case. The only ones who are required to be present are those who have been appointed to represent the people. So should this type of “business” be “administered” in the church. Again, let us remember that the Pastor should control and direct this, as well as setting all other church policies and practices. All others must simply be assistants. Beloved, this is why one must select a spiritual leader with all prayerful consideration, because “they watch for your souls” (Hebrews 13:17).

I will write more on this subject next Sunday.

I love you all SO very much!

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Business of Administration of the Church (Part 1)

Beloved, it is this thought that will provide a segue to our new theme, “The Business of Administration of the Church”. It has been said that in running the business of a church, “any way that will work is alright”. If there is no scriptural way, then this statement may be true, but I want to share with you, Beloved, that if the Word of God gives us a way to perform a task, then that way is the only right way to perform it. No other way is acceptable in the sight of God. Remember, Paul said, “let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). In performing any task, we should search the scriptures to find the one right way that is pleasing to God. We should therefore be just as informed on the administration of the church as we are informed on the plan of salvation, or any other doctrine.

Precious Ones, what I’m about to write will not come from my own opinion, but strictly from the Word of the Lord. Paul (an apostle) shared with Timothy (a future pastor) this principle, “Let the elders (pastors) that rule well (and remember, only pastors rule churches) be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine”. In the original context, the word “honor” meant “wages”. If you read the entire 5^th chapter of I Timothy, you will notice that Paul referred to “relief” (money) for the widows in the church (I Timothy 5:16). Yet, with respect to pastors or elders, “honor” means more than money. The scripture also teaches us that an elder is worthy of “double (respect)”. Paul also said, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father...” (I Timothy 5:1).

Chosen Ones, God commands that the pastor receive this kind of respect because it is His Spirit that oversees the pastor. Pastors are commanded by God to “take heed...unto (them)selves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made (them) overseers, to feed the church of God” (Acts 20:28). Beloved, this testifies that a church body can have only one head - otherwise, it would be considered a “freak”. In the church, the “feeder” is the head or overseer. These are the terms from which come the words “shepherd”, “pastor” and “leader”. Beloved, we must therefore conclude that the pastor is the head of everything in the local church. He or she is responsible for the proper administration of all church business. Whether spiritual or natural, every office in the church is subordinate and assistant to the pastor.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much.

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy