Church Government

In the past couple months, after prayer on Wednesdays, we've been digging into, "What is an elder?" and tonight we discussed, "What is a deacon?" Here at NSC we're not into titles. You won't hear many call Dave, "Pastor Dave". Pastor is his function not his title. We want to build this church according to God's Word and how He designed it to be, we are a New Testament church. So we're not talking about titles here but the role of the elder and/or deacon.

Elders are the highest human authority in the church body, i.e. a pastor is an elder. Elders are not elected. They are appointed by God and set in by apostles. Elders are overseers (Episcopos) and shepherds (Poimen) of the flock. They are vehicles for God’s authority to bring order, protection and fruit to the body. (Read Titus & Timothy to start to find out more about the elder’s role in the church.)

What do deacons do?

It's more than a checklist; yes they pay their tithe and give offerings, they volunteer, they arrive on time, but it's more than just that and it's more than a "job" or title - it's who they are... they are already doing ~ before they are "officially" recognized.

1) They help administrate growth, speak it, act it, manage it. Deacons are people who are thinking and living out growth.
2) People who help resolve relational conflict. They do not have a history of broken or fractured relationships. They manage well with their kids and spouse. Are able to give and receive correction.
3) They handle cultural differences well. They are people who can minister to old and young.
4) Competent in dealing with complaints i.e. murmuring, division, gossip.
5) They care for neglected ones, hurt, single, etc.
6) Meet the needs of others.
7) Deacons release the elders to do their job.
8) They operate within their own giftedness; each one had freedom to move in their strengths.
9) Evangelism i.e. Stephen
10) Deacons must be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

God did not call us to build a corporation style organization ~ He modeled the church after the family and that's what we are aiming for.

We're not interested in necessarily being the biggest church in town but we want to be the strongest. "An inch wide but a mile deep" is fine by us. We will continue to do what God wants us to do, using His Word as our map and the Holy Spirit as our tour guide!