GOD'S PLAN FOR CHURCH GOVERNANCE
March 14, 1998
Don Hawley
When the Holy Spirit ushered in the New Testament church, he also inaugurated a new form of church governance under the head of the Body, Jesus Christ. This was not change for the sake of change, but a necessary modification if the Body was to carry out its commission and bring in the final harvest. Unfortunately, the Holy Spirit's plan began to unravel early on, and by the time of the Dark Ages proper church governance had been turned upside down. Members of the Body were oppressed by a rigid, self-perpetuating hierarchy appointed by man rather than God, and the Holy Spirit was effectively shut out of his own ministry.
The ensuing Protestant Reformation not only brought to view the lost truth about salvation by faith alone, but also began reinstating all that God originally had set up inthe first century. That reformation has been ongoing, and is climaxing in our own day. What God designed to initiate his new church, also will have to be in place for him to finish his work and establish the Kingdom.
One of the last steps of the Reformation is that of re-establishing a biblical form of church governance. This will not be an easy process, as what God has in mind is vastly different from what denominationalism has taught. And those bound up in denominationalism are going to entertain grave questions about this "new thing" that God is doing in the world. This new approach is not optional, however, as the Holy Spirit will never fully empower that which is designed by man rather than by God. Any religious entity that refuses to move with the Spirit in this matter, will not play a significant role in final events.
Although accepting this governance plan may be a challenge for some, outlining it is really quite simple. It is simple because the Bible spells it out in detail. One single text reveals the plan in broad strokes:
We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Eph. 2:20, 21.
As clear as this pattern is, we can see immediate problems for many Christians; they've been taught that apostles and prophets do not even exist today. Such personages are considered the product of a bygone age. Not so. Since Pentecost we've been living in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, and his original plan for church governance is still in effect. It was merely lost sight of for a time.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul lists the five principal governance gifts ordainedby God.
He (Christ) is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Eph. 4:11.
There are many gifts of the Spirit, but these governance gifts actually are extensions of the ministry of Christ himself. Paul also tells us the purpose for these gifts, and how long they were meant to remain in effect.
Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Vs. 12, 13.
No responsible person would claim that today the Christian church has attained to the maturity God seeks for his people. And the members of the Body will not reach maturity in Christ unless the Body is built up according to the pattern of Scripture. Some, who've been subjected to the dictates of a human hierarchy, understandably may be concerned about the leadership of apostles and prophets. Note, however, that they are to be the "foundation." Their assignment is not to play a kingly role, but to be servants to the Body as was Christ. Many see such leadership opportunity as a great "privilege." Perhaps it is best to see instead a great "responsibility." Let's note how this so-called privilege played out in the life of Paul the Apostle.
They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and day adrift at sea. I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers, and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, beside all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along. 2 Corin. 11:23-27.
And God holds such leaders more accountable than others. Volunteer, anyone? I suppose a few would be inclined to seek such a position, hoping somehow to avoid the trials while garnering a reputation. However, God does not accept volunteers for such service; he appoints and anoints apostles and prophets personally. The Body can affirm such individuals in their service, but cannot select them.
There will be others in the congregation with strong leadership abilities, along with others who will exercise the gift of prophecy. I am here referring to those chosen by God to receive the mantle and office of apostle or prophet.
Could there be false apostles and false prophets in our day? It isn't a matter of could there be; there are. Satan is frightened to think what will transpire if God's original pattern for church governance is re-established. He must try to resist such a move at all costs, and bringing forth false servants can cause much difficulty. God, however, is quite adept at reading hearts, and he is capable of protecting the Body if they keep their eyes firmly on Christ.
Every member of the Body of Christ has been gifted by the Spirit, although some are not yet aware of their gifting. It is vital for the health of the Body that all know their gifts, and excercise them to the glory of God. Here are some of the spiritual gifts the church needs to fulfill its commission.
To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corin. 12:8-11.
THE FIVE EQUIPING GIFTS
Perhaps I should briefly describe the five equiping gifts as outlined above.
APOSTLE
Many consider Dr. Bill Hamon to be the leading exponent of the role of the apostle today. Here is the way he describes the office:
"Apostles have the delegated authority to represent the kingdom of God in a governmental, official capacity. It is not a religious hierarchical authority given by man but a spiritual authority given by Christ. The spirit realm recognizes this authority within the apostles who are not just 'called to be' but who have matured to the place of wisdom and ministry. This is one reason why the demonic spirit world will fight with all they have to keep the apostles from coming forth.
"They especially do not want the apostles and prophets, who have a similar commission and much of the same anointing and authority, to be fully restored and joined together in unity. Hell shudders at the very thought of such a thing happening. And they become frantic when they think all fivefold ministers would unite together against the forces of hell. They throw up their hands in despair when they think of all Church members and all fivefold ministers becoming unified in Jesus Christ to fulfill His purpose." Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God, page 32.
True apostles are more interested in helping others come into the fullness of their ministry, than in magnifying their own. They help establish correct doctrine according to the Word. In their leadership role, apostles have the ability to bring people together into new church groups. Signs and wonders follow the apostles, primarily in the areas of healing, faith, miracles, words of wisdom, discerning of spirits, and sometimes prophecy.
Dr. Hamon lists the six main functions of first-century apostles:
1. Taking the gospel to unreached areas.
2. Planting churches upon the foundation of Christ and helping established churches return to this scriptural foundation.
3. Appointing and training the initial leaders of a church.
4. Dealing with specific problems, false doctrines or sins.
5. Promoting unity in the Body of Christ and networking churches.
6. Demonstrating and imparting the supernatural dimension of the kingdom of God.
Ibid., pages 3, 4.
The Apostolic Movement is now emerging rapidly, and is being properly accepted around the world by those groups moving in the Spirit. It is the final step in the Reformation, and when fully recognized the Church will be ready for the last events in human history.
PROPHET
The Christian God is a personal God who desires intimate fellowship with his people. Face to face companionship was severed when sin entered the world, so a merciful God has chosen certain individuals to be "prophets." God communicates his will to them, and they in turn share the divine thoughts with the rest of the human race. The prophets are God's communication channels, and they represent the only ministry that can be found consistently functioning with the same name in every age and dispensation from Genesis to Revelation.
Prophets speak for God, not merely about God. The prophet has rights and authority in his prophesying that others do not have, such as those with the gift of prophecy or those who function on the saints' level of prophetic ministry. Prophets often are able to prophesy into the lives of individuals, and are the eyes of the church.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Prov. 29:18.
EVANGELIST
The evangelist has the responsibility of taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and the "evangel" is the Good News. Anyone claiming to be an evangelist, but who is preaching anything but salvation by the blood of Jesus alone, is a false minister. Due to the nature of his work, the full-time evangelist often has to move from one location to another. It's a demanding ministry, but an important one.
PASTOR
The true pastor has a shepherd's heart. His life is bound up with protecting, nourishing, and guarding the sheep the Master Shepherd has placed in his care. Because of the intimacy of this ministry, one with the anointing of pastor cannot properly shepherd more than perhaps 50 members. Those we commonly refer to as "senior pastors" seldom have the gift of pastor, and this has caused problems in the Body of Christ. Such individuals are more apt to have been called to the office of apostle.
TEACHER
Since everything must be tested against the Word of God, the gift of teacher is vital to the Body. God has called such individuals to share not the traditions of men, but to expound the Bible line upon line, and precept upon precept. This ministry is very important at a time when every wind of doctrine is blowing.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Only Jesus had the fullness of all five ministries in one human body. You will never find all five gifts and anointings in any other person. All fivefold ministers will demonstrate some gifting in each of the five areas, but each has been given special grace and ability in one area more than the others.
Once again I am indebted to Dr. Hamon for a final observation.
"Apostles and prophets are now being restored, recognized and reactivated within Christ's Church. The Prophetic Movement has been active for the last ten years. The Apostolic Movement is now emerging. The Apostolic along with the Prophetic Movements are bringing revolutionary ministries and truths back into the Church. Ministers and saints are going to be challenged with the apostolic and prophetic ministries and truths. Old order pastors and denominational leaders always try to protect and warn their people against the new restorational, truths, ministries and spiritual experiences that the Holy Spirit is bringing forth in Christ's Church. There are only three options for our response to new truth: We can persecute it, be passive about it or participate and propagate the new restorational truths and ministries. Personally, I never want to be found resisting or fighting any new thing that Christ Jesus is doing within His Church." Ibid., p.66.