1. The Ecclesia:
Organisation
and
Arrangements

2. Promoting Healthy Ecclesias Workshop December 2011
Summary thus far
Ecclesia – an assembly of called out people for God’s name
Ecclesia – as the bride of Christ preparing for the coming of the Bridegroom
Ecclesia – as the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth
Ecclesia – as a lampstand to shine forth God’s Word
Involvement in a Ecclesia is for spiritual growth and preparation to become kings and priests in the age to come
Ecclesia – as the body of Christ, many members all working together in harmony and sympathy
The organisation and arrangements for the Ecclesia
should be with the aim to fulfil these Divine purposes
Study 5 - The Ecclesia: Organisation and Arrangements

3. Christ – the Head
Colossians 1: Christ: the head of the body, the ecclesia / the beginning / the firstborn from the dead  that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 4:15 We grow up into Christ, the head
Ephesians 5:21-24
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Christ is the head of the Ecclesia.
The Ecclesia is subject unto Christ

4. NO
Hierarchy
over
the
Ecclesia

5. Promoting Healthy Ecclesias Workshop December 2011
Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5)
Phil 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory
But in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves
Phil 2:4
Look not every man on his own things
But every man also on the things of others
Phil 2:6-8
Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (“a thing to be grasped” NASB)
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death of the cross

6. Failure to PLAN is a plan for FAILURE
1Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Failure to PLAN
is a
plan for FAILURE

7. Management Committee / Arranging Brethren
Serving Brethren
Management Committee / Arranging Brethren
 To organise and guide the affairs of the Ecclesia in harmony with God’s purposes for the Ecclesia
Schedule of speakers, chairman, readers, doorman, preparation of emblems etc
Bible Classes
Preaching activities
Sunday School / Oversight of young people’s activities
Welfare: physical and spiritual
Finances

8. How they should operate
Serving Brethren
How they should operate
Avoid having a one man show
We must learn to work together with others as a team
Share responsibilities for the development of others
In the multitude of counsellors purposes are established and there is safety (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, 24:6)

9. Serving Brethren – Offices
Recorder / Secretary – spokesman for the Management Committee / Arranging Brethren
Finance Brother – keep accurate records of finances / report to the Management Committee of Arranging Brethren

10. Serving Brethren – Qualifications
Jethro’s advice to Moses (Exodus 18:21) when Moses was doing everything himself (Exodus 18:13-18)
Able men – capable
Such as fear God – honour and uphold God’s requirements
Men of truth – honesty and integrity
Hating covetousness – single minded / won’t be compromised

11. Serving Brethren – Qualifications
New Testament qualifications for elders and bishops (overseer) 1Timothy 3; Titus 1
Focus on what they are like, not what they do  the likeness of God
What they do will flow from what they are like
These qualities are not unique to elders; others must also develop these

12. 1 Timothy 3:2-7
Titus 1:5-9
a bishop
elders… a bishop
blameless
blameless as the steward of God
the husband of one wife
vigilant
sober
of good behaviour
given to hospitality
a lover of hospitality
apt to teach
holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers
not given to wine
no striker

13. Promoting Healthy Ecclesias Workshop December 2011
1 Timothy 3:2-7
Titus 1:5-9
[not greedy of filthy lucre]
not given to filthy lucre
patient
not a brawler
not covetous
one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly
not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil
he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil
not self-willed, not soon angry
a lover of good men
Just, holy, temperate
Study 5 - The Ecclesia: Organisation and Arrangements

14. Important to maintain the stability and harmony of the Ecclesia
Serving Brethren
Method of Appointment
No Holy Spirit appointments today
Election by the majority of the Ecclesia (this a common practice for Ecclesias in other countries but may not always be appropriate for Ecclesias in the Philippines)
Important to maintain the stability
and harmony of the Ecclesia

15. Serving Brethren Term of Appointment 3 year terms between elections
Does not have to be life long
If we miss out on being elected by the ecclesia – it is not the end of the world – we can still serve God in other ways