I'm curious to know what your understanding is of the hierarchy of an individual church group. We can leave out the fact that Jesus is the head of the church... that's understood. I'm talking about the day to day operation and oversight of a church assembly.
Who is in charge? Who "runs it" ... Who makes decisions, especially monetary ones? What about spiritual decisions?
Please explain your thoughts, preferably with scriptural examples for reference..
In the New Testament, I see these as aspects of decision-making:
- Direction from God, through the Holy Spirit, etc. given to individuals involved in decision-making.
- Apostles making decisions
- Elders making decisions
- Deacons administering
- Brethren making decisions
Regular brethren made a number of decisions in scripture. They didn't let Paul into the near riotous assembly in Ephesus. They collected money, and determined who to send it to. Paul wrote many letters to the whole congregation, not just the leaders. He did write to co-laborers and Philemon about various things. One letter to the churches (Philippians) addresses bishops and deacons, but is not addressed to them. No letter treats the instructions and congregational decisions to be made as solely the responsibility of a group of elders or one leader.
The church at Corinth was to deliver the fornicator to Satan in I Corinthians, and in II Corinthians the majority of the congregation had inflicted discipline and the congregation was to take the man in.
It is possible that Corinth didn't have any elders, but doctrinally, I don't think that should make a difference doctrinally as it comes to the collective responsibility that rests upon the congregation.
In Acts 15, members of the church speak up on the Gentile circumcision issue. The example given is the wrong perspective. But it does show that at church meetings regular believers could speak. This was also true about speech intended to edify the congregation such as teaching, tongues, and interpretation as we see in I Corinthians 14:26.
So 'regular believers' could speak in church, and this would have given them more input or participation in decision making.
In Acts 6, the apostles request men to feed widows who fit certain qualifications and the congregation put them forth. It also seems quite likely that the 120 put forth the two candidates to be considered to replace Judas in Acts 1.
Apostles made decisions for congregations early on in their development. Gifts were also laid at the 12 apostles feet. But as time progressed, elders received gifts from Antioch. The apostles devoted themselves to prayer and being witnesses of the resurrection. When Paul arrived to Jerusalem amidst controversy, he was sent to James and the elders for advice. The gave advice based on the decision, based on their perception of the Spirit's will, described in Acts 15.
Apostles tended to make decisions soon after churches were forming, but they let go of those responsibilities as the church matured and other gifted saints arose. In Paul's case, he would go elsewhere, preaching, which would result in new churches that needed nuturing.
In Acts 15, both apostles and elders were involved in discussion, considering scripture, and perceiving the will of the Spirit regarding the legal obligations for Gentile believers.
In Acts 20:28, the elders of the church in Ephesus are told to pastor the church of God over whom the Holy Ghost has made them bishops/overseers. Elders in I Peter 5 are charged with pastoring the flock of God and taking the oversight thereof. They are not to lord over that allotted to them, but to serve as examples to the flock.
The exact duties of elders are not laid out in great detail. Apparently they are to have a role in stopping the mouths of those who teach false doctrine and it is honorable for an elder to engage heavily in preaching and teaching. They are to oversee the church. A requirement is to rule their household well, and being given the church is a larger responsibility similar to that.
