Last month, the leadership of First Baptist Wellsboro enjoyed our annual “Deacon’s retreat” wherein we prayed for and discussed life and ministry at our church. One of the important points of discussion, even carried over from the previous year, included how to grow and disciple future leaders. Healthy churches make disciples, and, in making disciples, healthy churches grow and equip healthy leaders. What does raising-up leaders in the local congregation look like according to Scripture?
Offices
The New Testament gives clear prescription for two church offices: elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; also Acts 20:17). Flowing from that leadership, there are structures a local congregation may set in place to make sure everything is accounted for (missions, Christian education, organization of worship services, etc.). This early church structure is hinted at in some ways going back to the synagogues of the Old Testament—though not one-for-one. Still, the charge upon a local congregation is to disciple, mature, call, ordain, and submit to set-apart men from within the assembly.
New Testament Leaders Described
We observe discipleship implicitly within these “leadership” passages as men are instructed and taught to teach and shepherd their families. Men of character are ascertained as those whose families exude holiness such that the assembly can point them out and see a modeled Christian walk. This then leads to the man exercising gifts for the sake for the congregation which have been stirred up and demonstrated as he walked with the church prior to an official calling. The natural leadership of the man is not only embraced by the assembly, but something discipled in the man as the Spirit gives witness.
When passages like Hebrews 13:17 set alongside Matthew 18, and its exhortation concerning elders discipling members through conflict, we understand an affectionate relationship among the churches and their officers. That’s even where we get the nickname Shepherd (or from Latin: Pastor). The office is entitled “Elder,” but the people, in reverence for God’s charge on the congregation and marked by sincere submission to the Elder’s leading, designate the man as their shepherd: they listen to him as their particular leader, given them from God for this location and time.
Discipling Multiple Leaders
Scripture demonstrates more than one elder and more than one deacon for His churches. Historically, the British Baptists trained up these men, specifically elders, as called men took other gifted leaders to go out across rural villages (Hampshire), into worst docks and dives (Portsmouth, Portsea, and Plymouth—especially during the Napoleonic wars), and do village preaching. Through this work they inevitably planted churches and trained local, revived and godly men to lead in their communities (spreading over 150 churches in the span of a couple decades). The blessing of following a biblical model for church leadership is beautifully witnessed in such accounts.
Forward Momentum
One of our goals for this year is the continuing desire to train men to lead their families in godliness, to take seriously their own calling and giftedness, and to practice their zeal in the life of the church as observed in the New Testament church. Though not all are called to the office of elder or deacon, yet the office remains a model for the spiritual, sincere obedience the whole church is called to practice, as led by their elders.
Can we grow our church even more in biblical governance? Can we work even harder in the glorious work of training up men and women in godliness? Is there room for more exercise in equipping saints for the work of the ministry? I praise the Lord for our leadership and their desire to see such needs; they openly, honestly desire for God’s continued blessing for FBCW. Pray for our church this year as we seek God’s leading in biblical discipleship for an even healthier church. I hope you are excited for what He has in store!
Pastor Chris
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