MINISTRY FUNCTIONS IN THE NEW TESTAMANT CHURCH
By Ron Fischer (c) 2005

Principles for ministry functions in the New Testament church:

• For believers, God is the true Father, Jesus is the true Teacher, and the Holy Spirit is the true Leader (Guide) (MT 23:8-12) to whom only these titles belong. Believers had received the Holy Spirit, were filled with the Holy Spirit, were led by the Holy Spirit and all had the same access to the throne of God. Jesus as the Head of the church did functionally work through believers to help father, teach and guide each other using ministry gifts and Spiritual gifts that were given by the Holy Spirit to build one another up and make disciples for Jesus. This allowed Jesus to live in and through believers. Older believers were to be imitators of Christ and examples for younger believers, to help them to learn how to receive the Holy Spirit, be lead by the Holy Spirit, and obey Christ according to the truth and principles in the Bible.
• Jesus taught the principle of believers being servants, that they were not to have authority over each other but submit to, serve and respect one another motivated by love (MT 20:25-28; MK 10:42-45; GAL 5:13; EPH 5:21). People seem to want and need titles and positions of power to feel significant but we are all significant in Christ so there is no need for titles and positions of authority in the body of Christ.
• There were ministry functions: apostles who plant churches; prophets who give vision, direction and exposed falsehood; teachers who explain the principles of God well; evangelists who love to share the gospel out in the marketplace; pastors (shepherds) who love to care for believers; workers of miracles and healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration (EPH 4:11-13; 1CO 12:28-30; 1TI 3:1-7; TI 1:5-9). There were also Spiritual gifts: the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (1CO 12:4-11; 1CO 14:1-19). Each person would make disciples and help train up others with similar ministry and Spiritual gifts. These ministry and Spiritual gifts were to be used to build up the church body and share the gospel with power.
• The body of Christ was made up of all believers under the headship of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Like each part of the human body, each believer had a ministry function in the body of Christ and had been given Spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to help fulfil their ministry function (1CO 12:12-27). Believers were to be a team working together under Jesus by being led by the Holy Spirit individually and corporately. There was no distinction between men or women, slaves or masters, Jews or non-Jews when it came to the importance or ministry function of each member (JOEL 2:28-29; AC 2:17-18; 1CO 12:13; GAL 3:26-29, COL 3:11; 1TI 3:1-7). Everyone was special and important in the body of Christ and needed each other to function properly as a body together.
• After time, some men who were mature in faith were recognized and asked to function as overseers (guides) (AC 14:23) to help care for the churches. The overseers most likely had the ministry gift of apostle, pastor, or teacher. They were not paid but were worthy of honour and lodging during their travels with perhaps an occasional gift from the church for their help. Also some men and women that were mature in faith were recognized and asked to function as social workers (referred to as deacons/deaconesses) to help take care of the practical needs of widows and other needy believers. They most likely had the ministry gift of pastor, helping others, or administration. Many overseers and deacons were appointed to serve and help the church body but did not have authority over or control believers. They had functions of extra responsibility (not hierarchical positional titles), which they had been given and were accountable to and rewarded by God for what they did. They deserved respect so they could fulfill their roles (HEB 13:17). Overseers and deacons were simply mature believers among the flock who were asked to help care for the flock.
• Every man and woman has a ministry gift and should fulfill it. Being an overseer or deacon is an added responsibility for a believer who is mature in their faith, who have been recognized and asked to help, and wish to serve in that way.
• Problems and needs in the church were dealt with by the whole church seeking the mind of Christ and obeying Jesus as the head. If overseers were appointed then they would help the churches to solve their problems.

There are specific qualifications for an overseer (also referred to as an elder) (1 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Tim 5:17-22; Tit 1:5-9; Pet 5:1-4):

• A husband of only one wife
• Mature in their faith and understand the truth (not a new believer)
• Have integrity, humility, and a heart to serve (not control people)
• Not a heavy drinker
• Not greedy for money
• Have respect and favour in the community
• Have a good marriage
• Have a job and take care of their own family (be an example and not be a financial burden on the church)
• Have respectful and obedient children
• Able to teach God's principles

The functions of an overseer (referred to as an elder) who help care for believers:

• To help protect the sheep from wolves (non believers acting like believers that try to destroy the church) (Rom 16:17-18)
• To help protect believers from a false gospel and false teaching (AC 20:28-31)
• To help bring reconciliation among believers and help find solutions for any problems among believers (1 Cor 6:3)
• To help believers keep their focus on following Jesus Christ as the head and leader instead of exalting and following others (1 Cor 1:10-13; 1 Cor 3:1-7)
• To help teach what Jesus taught (God's principles) and encourage believers to mature, be faithful, and live a Holy life
• To encourage every believer to grow in their ministry and Spiritual gifts, participate and make disciples (help train others)
• To help recognize and encourage other servant leaders (overseers and deacons) in the church
• To help administer discipline when necessary - expose, silence, and excommunicate people who are trying to deceive and lead astray believers (teaching a false gospel or causing them to sin), or who are trying to cause divisions and destroy the church.

The qualifications for a social worker (referred to as a deacon or deaconess) (1 TI 3:8-13):

• A man or a woman (examples - a husband of only one wife, husband and wife team like Aquila and Priscilla; a woman named Phoebe)
• Mature in their faith and understand the truth (not a new believer)
• Tested to have integrity, humility, and a heart to serve (not control people)
• Not a heavy drinker
• Have respect and favour in the community
• Have a job and take care of their own family (be an example and not be a financial burden on the church)
• Have respectful and obedient children

The functions of a social worker (referred to as a deacon or deaconess) who help take care of the needy:

• To collect and distribute money or goods to care for elderly believers (widows) and care for poor believers (that cannot work or are working and need help)

For more articles about the New Testament Church you can visit http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/ARTICLES.html.