September 8, 2013

Who Runs the Church? Part 4

Pastor: Pastor Marc Wragg Series: Selected Scriptures

We've see from the Scriptures that elders are granted authority to proclaim and teach the Word of God, and therefore to shepherd the church according to the truth. But what role do deacons play in church life? Deacons and deaconesses are to be faithful Christians of godly character who are given charge by the elders over particular work within the church. The ministry of the deacon is both critical and honorable, but it does not include the authority to lead the people of God because the deacon's role does not include the task of rightly dividing the Scriptures. Finally, what is the congregation's role? The congregation has the responsibility to actively embrace the truth, speak it to the world and to one another, live it out in daily life, and defend it by upholding sound doctrine. Where you see elders leading by humble dependence on the truth, deacons serving with diligence and love, and congregations joyfully submitting to godly leadership and supporting the ministry, there you'll find a healthy and dynamic church.