The Organization of the Church Part 2 Ecclesiology The Organization of the Church Part 2

The ultimate head of the church is Christ The ultimate head of the church is Christ. He is foundation and the ultimate ____________. Nothing contrary to His character, instruction, and will is ____________ for His church. No congregation ever has the authority to __________ the head of the church! It is interesting that nearly every form of church organization will tacitly acknowledge the headship of Christ. The sad reality is that the acknowledgement seldom translates into __________. Leadership The New Testament only references ______ offices for the church. There are three terms used to describe the person particularly charged with leading the local church. These are bishop, elder, and pastor. The terms are used interchangeably because they all refer to the ________ office. Elder – Bishop – Pastor – Preacher – Teacher – Servant – Steward –

Every church has ______ pastor. There may be men who assist him Every church has ______ pastor. There may be men who assist him. There is no one who carries greater ___________________ and accountability before God than the pastor. It is interesting that the primary passage (1 Timothy 3), which defines the qualifications for scriptural office in the church speaks of the bishop in the ___________ only and the __________ always in the plural. There is one pastor and a multiple of deacons. Looking at the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three, we find a __________ messenger (aggelos) addressed in _______ of the seven churches. If indeed the pastor is the primary leader of the church under the authority of Christ, it is critical that he be uniquely _____________ for that role. (1 Tim. 3:1-7) The desire for the office of pastor must be generated in the heart by the _______ of God. While the call of God may well seem mysterious and inexplicable it is nonetheless very _______. (Heb. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 1:12) His preparation for ministry is extensive and ___________. Preparation of the heart in personal character Attentive Abstinent Altruistic Mature Preparation of the home in domestic character One-woman man Leading his own home

Preparation of the honor in public character Personal Integrity Principled Integrity Public Integrity Preparation of the hand in social character Hospitable Not an Angry Man Preparation of the head in intellectual character Master of the content of Scripture Communicator of truth Studious Truly the pastor must _______ with God so that he can discern the will of God. He must continually __________ his craft as a preacher, teacher, exhorter, and leader. He must understand the times and __________ the flock. The insidious attack of false teachers is greater today than at any time in church history. Sound doctrine, godly lifestyle, discipleship and spiritual discipline must flow from the _________ to the ______.