How not to do church leadership (Or, ministry just doesn't happen)

We have been pursuing our Doctrinal Rethink for some time now. In the process of engaging it we have begun to question certain beliefs, church structures, and practices of the western church. Too often we have discovered unbiblical doctrines and activities. This causes us concern.

Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched? How did we arrive at our doctrines?

Today we are going to consider how churches are organized. 

Introduction

Churches and denominations create structures, procedures, and ministries in pursuit of their goals and vision. Every church or denomination has a different approach to this, based on what their reading of the Bible is, what their traditions are, and how much the denominational upper hierarchy dictates the way things are to be done.

Non-denominational or unaffiliated churches do not have a denominational upper hierarchy, which can be good or bad depending on the situation. Without this layer of leadership, the local leadership is left to create and implement the entire structure and vision of the church from scratch. This comes with its own challenges, and can possibly leave a church rudderless or uncertain, or rigid and uncompromising. Or, it can facilitate a unique and delightful church, flexible and even experimental.

I believe the proper structure of the church is to be lead by a plurality of mature men of faith:

1Pe. 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

The elders are the shepherds are the overseers. A properly structured church will facilitate the mission and ministries of the church, and God will surely honor a desire to make the church the way He wants it to be. Though a relative few churches are structured this way, I believe that this biblical model ought to be the benchmark.

My Church

My church is non-denominational, and the spiritual governance is done by a board of elders, some of whom have been titled as pastors. None of the elders are credentialed or have attended a seminary or Bible school. In addition to the elders is a lower echelon of leadership who are in charge of the various ministries of the church. Some would call them deacons. Then there are ministry people, who do not have a title or position but are recognized and approved in the church for their activities.

Though we have operated as an elder-led church for at least 5 years, we are still sorting through how the church is to be governed, what its identity is, and how to walk out its ministry in practical ways. This has often manifested as uncertainty in the leadership, which almost certainly can be discerned by the rank-and-file. Also, in the past there has been a paralysis, where the same issues get discussed for months on end with no decision and no resolution. 

Unfortunately, this means that my church has made slow progress in some areas while simultaneously showing great promise. I am convinced that God's calling on the church is not ordinary, and this calling involves breaking new ground. Since no one has been down this road, it is not easy to walk out such a calling. The Holy Spirit's ministry is to lead the church and each individual in the church in the ways of righteousness and fruitfulness, but that means the leadership must have the gift of discernment in order to bed led by the Spirit (Ga. 5:25). 

The identification of some of the elders as pastors was, in my view, an effort to compensate for this uncertainty, at least in part. The elders seemed to think that someone had to be at the top of the pyramid to make the final decisions. Thus the elder-led concept was modified to conform more with traditional church structure. 

The church leadership is ultimately responsible for the success of the various ministries, the atmosphere of the Sunday service, and the adherence to and implementation of the vision. This means the focus of everything the church does must be in pursuit of God's purposes for it. The leadership, then, must set forth the goals and identity of the church in no uncertain terms, and take steps to ensure that each ministry leader, and even, every attendee understands this.

This is where our church is at present. Some clarity has come in terms of vision and mission, we are beginning to come to grips with who we are as a church and who we want to be, and we are beginning to pursue making this happen.

My Story 

All this brings me to my point. Recently I was looking at the church's website and found my name, picture, and phone number on the home group leaders and ministry leaders page. I was listed as the prayer ministry leader. But I haven't been asked to be the prayer ministry leader. It is true that I am dedicated to prayer, and I have partnered with another person in the church who has a passion for prayer. We have weekly prayer meetings, which are open to anyone, and we spend much time interceding and discerning the direction of the Holy Spirit regarding our church.

We know the leadership places value on our prayer activities. We have been consulted on occasion, and have offered to the leadership the results of some of our prayer times as well. On rare occasion an elder will partake of prayer with us. 

But we have not formed a ministry. We have not made a proposal to the eldership. We have not been asked to lay out a vision or make any statement of how this prayer time should be integrated into the life of the church. None of this has been discussed by anyone.

A church ministry needs to have the following:

• Official recognition by the leadership to the congregation
• A statement of purpose
• A statement of goals
• A statement on how the ministry ought to be integrated into the church

Further, the nature of a prayer ministry is that prayers get answered. People get healed and saved. Marriages get healed. Relationships are restored. Victories are won. There needs to be celebration of these testimonies, because they build faith in the people.

In addition, there is a prophetic aspect, where the Holy Spirit reveals the spiritual conditions, direction for the church and individuals, and even correction. There is a substantial spiritual issue regarding prayer, and as such prayer ought to connect closely with the leadership.

And there are practical considerations. How should prayer manifest in the church service, and who should lead it? If a prophetic word comes forth, how is it weighed? If the Holy Spirit wants to change focus or direction during the service, the prayer people are likely going to be the ones to discern these.

Lastly, there needs to be teaching about prayer. Topics related to prayer ought to be woven into sermons, the announcements, and even the fellowship. A church is defined by what it values. A church is defined by what it talks about. A church is defined by what it does.

A church dedicated to prayer must be a church that prays.

So for me, my (non) appointment to the leadership was not appropriate. If there is to be a prayer ministry, it must be undertaken intentionally with certain goals and criteria. Prayer is that important, perhaps one of the most important things a church can do. It cannot be done casually.

I declined to be the prayer ministry leader and asked for my information to be removed from the website. If I am subsequently asked to assume leadership of the prayer ministry, or any ministry, I will expect to be asked very pointed questions about what I think constitutes a prayer ministry. In return, I expect to ask pointed questions to see if my understanding of a prayer ministry aligns with the leadership's ideas. 

Until then, I am just a guy who wants to pray.