West Columbia Church of Christ, South Carolina
Church Organization
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Church Organization |
Christ is the head
The church here has had elders in the past, but presently has none.
Each congregation is to have qualified elders (plurality)
Elders are answerable only to Christ for their work*
Elders are the shepherds, with deacons, preacher(s), teachers,
and all members under their oversight.
We want to remedy this.
Meanwhile, until we have qualified elders, we do as best we can to follow the Bible.
"
and called the elders of the church ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:17,28
SCRIPTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF ELDERS
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." - 1 Timothy 3:1-7
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." - Titus 1:5-9
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us." 1 Thessalonians 3:6
* However, all members of the church, including the elders, must obey the Lord's teachings as we've been commanded:
