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 5th 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,
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