“…that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the church of God…” (1 Tim 3.15)

1. “…that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the church of God…” (1 Tim 3.15) Caring for the Faith Community Through Effective Leadership Larry Perkins, Ph.D. 2014

2. Introductions and Goals Some information about the presenter – Larry Perkins. Goals for the workshop: 1. discern how the NT anticipates the church will work; 2. understand the NT vision for the work of the church; 3. grasp the essential relationship between the way the church works and the work of the church; 4. establish foundational principles for workshop # 2.

3. Four Segments: • Understanding NT conversations about the church. • Leadership within a congregation – importance of mission • Congregations and ‘navigation’ – who’s in charge? • Pastors, boards and congregations – ‘shared governance’ Workshop #1 Overview How does an Evangelical Baptist church organize itself to advance its mission effectively as Christ’s witnessing community?

4. Key Principles: • Good leadership, effective organization, and continual communication are essential divine gifts for mission advance. • Mutual submission in love and service is a critical value. • Unshakeable conviction that God desires Whitehorse Baptist Church to flourish – for his glory. • Mutual respect because God’s Spirit is resident in each Jesus follower. • Continuing prayer is essential. Workshop # 1 Key Principles

5. Issues already identified • Report by Steve Anderson, church consultant (2014) “No one…could provide a clear explanation of the roles or delineation of responsibility of or between the board and the elders. This lack of structure and delineation of responsibility leads to confusion, frustration, conflict, and wasted time and effort in the decision-making process.” “It is time to make sure that we go over and above in our efforts to communicate well and to minister to each other and the body to help heal, strengthen and move on.” • Church Consultation discernment and recommendations (2009) Call for clarity of vision, resolving conflicts, and dealing with leadership challenges.

6. SEGMENT ONE: Understanding NT conversations about the church. • What is the work of the local church? • NT – What is the same? What is different? • Interpreting the NT – a cross-cultural challenge • What is authoritative and the norm – what is adapted to first century realities? • Some examples: • Small groups of believers met in local house. • Terms describing congregational leaders borrowed from the surrounding culture – words describing older people, administrators, managers. • Social-political reality – slavery, Roman gov’t, technology.

7. SEGMENT ONE: Understanding NT conversations about the church. The Scope of NT Information about local churches and their mission: Jesus’ intent – Matthew 16:18; 18; 28:19-20 Jesus on leadership – Mark 10:43-45 Paul on leadership – Acts 20 Paul on church organization – 1 Corinthians 3-4, 12-14; Ephesians 4; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1 Peter on church leadership – 1 Peter 5 Hebrews 13 Kingdom agencies Kingdom communities Resourced by God

8. SEGMENT ONE: Understanding NT conversations about the church. • Biblical Metaphors of church life: • “People of God” • A “body” • A “family” / “household” • An “assembly” • Key Principles: • The “Messiah’s Assembly” • Relationships within structure – agape, diakonos, hypotasso • Organism and organization • Organization serves mission -- accountability • “Caring for the body” – essential responsibility

9. SEGMENT ONE: Understanding NT conversations about the church. Identity -- present/future tension Place within the community – ethics and witness An ordered life of faith within community reflecting God’s values and advancing God’s mission.

10. SEGMENT ONE: Understanding NT conversations about the church.

11. “…that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the church of God…” (1 Tim 3.15) Caring for the Faith Community Through Effective Leadership Larry Perkins, Ph.D. 2014

12. Four Segments: • Understanding NT conversations about the church. • Leadership within a congregation – importance of mission • Congregations and ‘navigation’ – who’s in charge? • Pastors, boards and congregations – ‘shared governance’ Workshop #1 Overview How does an Evangelical Baptist church organize itself to advance its mission effectively as Christ’s witnessing community?

13. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How does a local church work? Contexts where we see the local church at work: Acts 6 – problem-solving Acts 15 – problem-solving 1 Corinthians 5 – problem-solving Hebrews 10:32-35 – persevering in suffering (1 Peter 2:18ff) Romans 16 – believers helping believers Matthew 18 – conflict resolution and forgiveness Ephesians 4:11-13 – restoration for serving 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 – financial commitments to assist others

14. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION • How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? • Discernment of mature, wise believers to care for the local church • General qualifications – 1 Timothy 3 – where does Paul place the emphasis? • Acts 14:23 – a shared responsibility (Internet Moments #116) • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 – “those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord, and who admonish you.” (NIV 2011)

15. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION • How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? • The concept of “elders” – Acts 20:17, 28 – the elders of the church, serve as “responsible, mature, wise leaders” which means“shepherding (‘pastoring’) the church of God.” • Peter’s description in 1 Peter 5:1-7 – be examples, submissive, humble service. • Philippians 1:1-2 – Paul writes to the church but especially to “responsible leaders and assistants”. • Romans 16:1-2 – the example of Phoebe. • 1 Tim. 3 (responsible leaders and assistants); 5:17-22 (elders) and Titus 1. (elders and responsible leaders)

16. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? Terms for church leaders: “elder” – presbyteros – “older person” (1 Tim. 5; Tit.1; 1 Peter 5) “overseer/responsible leader” – episkopos (1 Tim. 3:1) – be responsible to care for, administer, look after (cf. Matthew 25:36,43 “I was sick and you looked after me”) “financial administrator, steward” – Tit. 1:7 (cf. Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 4:1 “stewards of the mysteries of God”). Applied generally to believers in 1 Peter 4:10. “those who lead you” -- Hebrews 13:7 (by word and example), 17. (cf. Luke 22:26 A few comments on Ephesians 4:11-12.

17. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? What is the nature of the work such leaders provide within the congregation? The language of care – 1 Thess. 5:12-15; 1 Tim. 3:4-5,12; Romans 12:8 The language of truth-telling for purposes of discipleship – 1 Thess. 5:12-15 The language of teaching – 1 Tim. 5:17-18 The language of encouraging example – 1 Peter 5:3-4; Hebrews 13:7 The language of protection – Acts 20:28-30 The language of “restoration to working order” – Eph. 4:11-12 The language of witness -- 1 Tim. 3:13 The language of sacrifice – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. The language of discipline – 1 Corinthians 5.

18. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? Implications 1. In the local assemblies a leadership team emerges. Plurality of leadership seems normal. A generic term for this group is “presbyteroi” (elders). 2. Leadership terminology is applied in flexible ways. Functions include care (episkopos), management (oikonomos), assisting (diakonos), teaching (didaskalos), shepherding (pastor). 3. This leadership group is responsible for the spiritual care and protection of the assembly, enabling it be a representative Kingdom community in that location.

19. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? Implications 4. From time to time local assemblies appeal to apostolic leaders for advice. 5. The expression of this leadership is within a framework of agape (sacrificial love), diakonia(assisting, serving), vouthete(truth-telling advice), hypotasso(mutual submission and humility), encouragement and perseverance. 6. Jesus followers in these local assemblies had responsibility to listen to the spiritual care-givers and follow respectfully their example.

20. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION How is the work of a local church to be organized and sustained? Implications 7. Jesus followers in a local assembly had voice in key decisions (leadership appointments, discipline matters, resolution of theological issues, resolution of practical issues). 8. Leadership teams seem to have had some role in discerning strategic mission advances (e.g. Acts 13:1-3). 9. Discerning God’s will requires spiritual leaders to take note of and propose solutions to problems, as well as agreement by those in the assembly that such direction was wise and appropriate. The leadership proposes and the assembly discerns the wisdom of the proposal. Together they discern and support God’s direction.

21. SEGMENT TWO: LEADERSHIP WITHIN A CONGREGATION

22. “…that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the church of God…” (1 Tim 3.15) Caring for the Faith Community Through Effective Leadership Larry Perkins, Ph.D. 2014

23. Four Segments: • Understanding NT conversations about the church. • Leadership within a congregation – importance of mission • Congregations and ‘navigation’ – who’s in charge? • Pastors, boards and congregations – ‘shared governance’ Workshop #1 Overview How does an Evangelical Baptist church organize itself to advance its mission effectively as Christ’s witnessing community?

24. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. 1. The concept of ‘governance’ in the NT. 1 Corinthians 12:29 – God’s gift to the local assemble – kybernēsis (“navigation”) --resourced from the Holy Spirit --for the good of the body

25. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. 2. The idea of “shared governance” Local Assembly Church Board Lead Pastor & Ministry leaders Lead Pastor & Board Chair

26. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. 2. The idea of “shared governance” Various entities in the congregation have assigned, defined authority and processes are in place to ensure that their authority is exercised in an appropriate way, at the right time, on the right issue. It is the responsibility of the governing board to guide this conversation

27. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? • The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. • 2. The idea of “shared governance” • Defined biblically • Defined in your bylaws • Defined in role descriptions • Defined in policy • Defined legally

28. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. 3. A definition of ‘governance’ “Governance is the process by which a congregation makes the decisions that identify and renew its mission, implement the mission, and assess the degree to which and the way in which it is being attained.”

29. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE? The connection between the work of the church and how the church works. 4. Implementing good governance within a congregation: -- requires clear bylaws that specify who has authority to make which decisions. -- requires a church board entrusted by the congregation to ensure that good governance is developed and implemented. -- requires the church board steward this trust responsibly, spiritually, and effectively for the health of the congregation.

30. SEGMENT THREE: CONGREGATIONS AND ‘NAVIGATION’ – WHO’S IN CHARGE?

31. “…that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the church of God…” (1 Tim 3.15) Caring for the Faith Community Through Effective Leadership Larry Perkins, Ph.D. 2014

32. Four Segments: • Understanding NT conversations about the church. • Leadership within a congregation – importance of mission • Congregations and ‘navigation’ – who’s in charge? • Pastors, boards and congregations – ‘shared governance’ Workshop #1 Overview How does an Evangelical Baptist church organize itself to advance its mission effectively as Christ’s witnessing community?

33. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Foundational Principles: 1. A local church involves various stakeholder groups – boards, pastors, staff (paid/volunteer employees) and the congregation. They must work together. 2. Congregation’s bylaws define how the church board is formed and what its responsibilities will be. 3. Congregation’s bylaws define what decisions the congregation must make. 4. Congregation’s bylaws define to whom the lead pastor is primarily accountable.

34. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Foundational Principles: 5. There can only be one church board within a congregation. It possesses authority from the congregation to govern. Elders do not govern unless they are members of this board. Governance is the responsibility of the “directors.” 6. The selection and composition of the church board is determined by the bylaws. 7. Elders work with and under the direction of the Lead Pastor, who is the lead elder, assisting him to implement the mission. The Lead Pastor also is assisted by the staff in this process.

35. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Concept of a non-profit charitable society. 1. In Canada most local churches are constituted legally as non- profit, charitable societies. 2. This is a legal structure that requires the society to follow certain principles in order to retain its charitable status. 3. Local churches do not have to organize as non-profit charities, but there are many benefits for doing so in our culture. 4. Most local congregations find this status to be quite compatible with biblical principles of church life and to provide an organizational structure that is simple and clear.

36. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Implications ofregistering as a non-profit charitable society. 1. The society has to have a constitution and bylaws approved by the “members” of the society. 2. In the context of a local church the members of the society are the members of the congregation. Bylaws define how one becomes a member, the duties of a member, and how a member might be dismissed. Maintaining an up-to-date membership list is an important issue. 3. A non-profit charity must have a governing board (trustees) in whom the members vest authority to ensure that the charity’s mission is being advanced prudently, ethically and legally.

37. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Implications ofregistering as a non-profit charitable society. 4. The members of the society vest in the board the necessary authority to accomplish the society’s mission. It is the board’s responsibility to define the ends which have to be achieved in order to advance that mission. 5. The board works closely with the primary leader in the society (in a congregational setting this is the lead pastor. This leader is accountable to the board for his work. The board implements its decisions primarily through the lead pastor. 6. The board is accountable to the society members and demonstrates this accountability at an annual general meeting. 7. The board cannot divest itself of its key responsibilities. It may delegate aspects of its work, but remains ultimately responsible for the work of the society.

38. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Implications ofnot registering as a non-profit charitable society. 1. No ability for the charity to provide charitable tax receipts for donations received. 2. Probability that local tax authority will apply property tax to the charity’s assets. 3. There is no legal control by the members of the society and its operations. This results in a loss of accountability.

39. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Three challenges and three recommendations. The evaluations you have received in the past four-five years have a consistent message – your organizational structure is broken. This generates conflict, prevents concerted action, and hinders communication. No one knows who is in charge. If these issues are not attended to, you will not thrive as a congregation. Good governance correlates with healthy agencies. So what key things must be attended to in order to enable WBC to flourish and achieve its God-given mission in this city?

41. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Three challenges and three recommendations. Challenge # 1 – Structure At this point WBC has two board-like entities – board of directors and elders. The boundaries of authority between these two groups is quite unclear. This needs to be resolved. I would recommend the following: change your bylaws to indicate that elders will also be directors, alongside other directors. If you need to limit numbers, then do so. An elder who is unwilling to serve as a director, then should resign. give the board of directors the authority they need to govern well.

42. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Three challenges and three recommendations. Challenge # 2 – Pastor-Board Relationship The lead pastor is unclear as to which group in the church he is accountable – the board of directors, the elders, the council? This has to be clarified. a. The lead pastor should be accountable to the board of directors for all of his responsibilities. b. The board of directors should make clear the limits of authority that the lead pastor has to fulfill his responsibilities.

43. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Three challenges and three recommendations. Challenge # 3 – Pastor-Elders Relationship In the NT pastors are elders. Your lead pastor should be your lead elder. the other elders appointed by the congregation form a pastoral care team to assist the pastor in fulfilling functions such as visitation, evangelism, discipleship training, pastoral counselling. However, the lead pastor is not accountable to the elders. He is accountable to the board of directors. when elders serve as members of the board of directors, they serve as directors, not elders. All directors are equal in voice.

44. SEGMENT FOUR: BOARDS, PASTORS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONS Three challenges and three recommendations. Why will this be better and biblical? it creates a unified strategic ministry leadership team (plurality of leadership as in the NT) who is responsible to advance the mission of WBC; it enables this team to ensure that good pastoral care is being provided to the congregation; it provides a clear sense of direction for the lead pastor, simplifying his responsibilities and enabling him to develop an effective mission-implementation team; it provides clearer lines of accountability, i.e. board to council, pastor to board, elders to pastor, and staff to pastor.

45. Thank you.