The Principle of Autonomy
The local church is sovereign under Christ’s headship, and it is autonomous, but advice and counsel from qualified ministers of other Glad Tidings Fellwoship assemblies may be sought.
Pastors
C. Kwambana
W. Chiparaushe
J. Muwunganirwa
A. T. Gore
Elders
Bishops (pastors, overseer, elders), are mature MEN, with integrity and spiritual experience, responsible to lead the church.
In the New Testament, the words “bishop,” “elder,” “overseer”, “shepherd” and “pastor” are used interchangeably to describe the same men (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-2).
From a biblical context, we treat responsibility of bishops as an office, to function as God’s stewards. 1 Tim. 3:1, says, “It is a trustworthy statement, if any man aspires to the office of bishop/overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”
At Glad Tidings Fellowship, a pastor is also called a servant, reminding him that he is to minister to others; and he is a steward, managing the property of others (the church of Christ).
Our criteria to choose church elders, follows that which was used in Israel. The men chosen are mature men, able men of strong moral character; men who fear God, men of truth and integrity (Exodus 18:20-21), men full of the Holy Spirit (Numbers 11:16-17); capable men of wisdom, discernment, and experience— impartial and courageous men who intercede, teach, and judge righteously and fairly. As church leaders, much emphasis is on maturity and spiritual experience. Just like what the bible shows us, we only choose men to become bishops or elders. The qualifications of elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), provide us with a guide in choosing the elders at our local church.
We consider a man for leadership as an elder only after he has proved himself suitable for a ministry of leadership through a period during which he is tested, during which he is observed functioning in a limited position of delegated oversight. If he demonstrates capability in leadership and loyalty to the message, he can be publicly acknowledged as one who is to be trusted in the service of leadership. We also find out on personal and spiritual life on the man from his wife.
We take a close look at the start of the church in the book of Acts, and follow how the church leadership was identified.
In Acts 14:21-23, we see that one of the key steps in establishing a new church was to identify and appoint elders for church leadership.
“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed (Acts 14:23). At Glad Tidings Fellowship, after a new church has been planted in a particular area, the presiding pastor appoints the elders after having prayed with fasting.
At Glad Tidings Fellowship, we believe in the plurality of church leadership.
This biblical norm is substantiated by the fact that wherever specific local churches in the New Testament are described as having elders, they always had a plurality of elders. For example, there were the elders (plural) of the church (singular) at Ephesus (Acts 20:17). There were the overseers (plural) along with the deacons of the church (singular) at Philippi (Phil. 1:1; 4:15).
As a church, our norm is that we have more than one elder (pastor) in each individual church. As a church, we believe that the office of elder or Bishop or overseer, is the highest level of local church leadership. Thus, it carries a great amount of responsibility. 1 Tim. 3:1, says, “It is a trustworthy statement, if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”
One who is qualified to be an elder will be eager to give his life totally to the teaching of the Word of God and shepherding the flock of God, without any thought of gain at all. He will desire the office, pursue being set apart, and devote himself to the Word of God.
While there may be many ways to organize leadership within a church, there can be no substitute in fulfilling God’s commands in the qualifications and functions of church leadership, if a church is to provide an environment conducive for the spiritual health of its people. Therefore, it is vital to have a clear and uncompromising understanding of how church leadership is to be organized.
At Glad Tidings Fellowship, we are guided by what the bible says regarding these qualifications. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was to instruct Timothy regarding the choosing of elders for the church.
● BLAMELESS–above reproach, people are looking at this man’s life trying to find something that is wrong which they can use against him.
● THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE–faithful to his marriage partner and exemplifying what Christian marriage really ought to be. He is to be a “one-woman man. “No background of divorce.”
● VIGILANT–temperate, sober, mentally alert. Having a well-disciplined mind, in possession of the full use of all his faculties.
● SOBER–sound mind, sensible, serious, “in his right mind” (Mark 5:15), having a serious attitude. There is a need for balance here. He is not to have the reputation of always cracking jokes and being a clown (Eph. 5:4), nor is he to be one who casts a cloud of gloom everywhere he goes. A serious attitude can be blended with a healthy and Christ honouring sense of humour.
● OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR–orderly, organized, a well-arranged and well-ordered life (opposite of “chaos”). A man who is disciplined and faithful in his stewardship of time. His life should exhibit good planning and purpose.
● GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY–a lover of strangers. A real love and concern for people. One who manifests a genuine love for the brethren. His door and his heart are always open when it comes to rightly ministering to the needs of others.
● APT TO TEACH–able, skilled and willing to teach and communicate God’s truth. According to Titus 1:9 he must be able to exhort and bring conviction by sound doctrine, “holding fast the faithful word.” This does not necessarily imply pulpit ability, but it does imply the ability to rightly use and communicate God’s Word in helping and confronting and admonishing others (see 1 Tim. 5:17). 1 Tim. 3:3
● NOT GIVEN TO WINE–literally, no affinity for wine. In a society infatuated with alcoholic beverages and defiled by the unwholesome things associated with drinking, total abstinence from alcoholic drinks and avoidance of any wrong or questionable association is the only truly safe choice for the elder.
● NOT A STRIKER–not quick tempered to fight. The man must not be a fighter (ready with his fists). Comes from a verb meaning “to strike.” You rub this kind of violent person the wrong way and he will really let you have it.
● NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE–not someone who is out for personal gain and profit. The man’s financial dealings must be blameless and not in the least bit questionable. Free from greed.
● PATIENT–gentle, forbearing (Phil. 4:5), sweet-reasonableness, considerate of the feelings of others, a man who is able to yield and who does not always insist on having things his own way, willing to concede, and yet not compromise when it comes to truth.
● NOT A BRAWLER–not a fighter (literally “without war”), not one who is always arguing and getting involved in carnal disputes and quarrels. A man who is peaceable (Rom. 12:18).
● NOT COVETOUS–literally, “not a lover of money” (Heb. 13:5). The ruling motive in his life is not money or possessions, but the glory of God. 1 Tim. 3:4-5
● RULES WELL HIS OWN HOUSE–faithful in superintending his own household, having children who are obedient and respectful and well-disciplined (kept in line). Compare Titus 1:6-his children are properly controlled and not accused of riot or unruly. They are not wild and disorderly and rebellious. 1 Tim. 3:6
● NOT A NOVICE–not one who has newly come to the faith, not a new convert, not one who has recently become a Christian, not a new believer, but rather one who has had years of growth and development in the faith (well tested by time). 1 Tim. 3:7
● A GOOD REPORT–an excellent testimony before the unsaved, a good reputation among the community.
Our clear understanding is that the terms “bishop/overseer” or “pastor/shepherd” are not distinct from “elder.” Each term is simply a different way of identifying the same person. The roles, functions and responsibilities of this office are outlined below;
● To be caretaker (steward) for the church of God as primary responsibility;
● To shepherd the flock of God – feeding, caring, leading, healing, protecting and generally nurturing the flock of God; (1 Peter 5:1-2 & Acts 20:28)
● To give oversight and direction in the character and priorities of Christ – spiritual guidance of the entire church; (What must we do as a church?)
● To oversee the direction and belief system of the local church; (1Tim. 5:17 says, Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour)
● To lead the congregants in implementing the church vision, (both local and global to GTF);
● To guard and protect the flock of God against false teachers; (Acts 20:28-30)
● To preach and teach the word of God; (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:9)
● To baptize new converts with water; (Mat. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48)
● To regulate doctrinal issues for the church. Thus, the overseer must be understand true and sound doctrine, be consistent and defend it. (Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Tim. 6:3)
● To be responsible to God for the spiritual welfare of the church: (Acts 20:28)
● To consistently lead and model these traits; (1 Tim. 3:2-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3), to others.
● To pray for those who are sick; (James 5:14)
(The elders of a local church are also to be a resource for those who seek partnership in prayer)
● To comfort congregants; (1 Thessalonians 2:11)
● To determine church policy, to guide the flock.
● To provide counselling to the congregants on various life challenges, socially and spiritually.
● To carefully recognize the gifts and desire placed in a person Christ is giving to His church and of Whom the Spirit is working to become an elder/pastor/bishop – leads to one to be appointed and ordained; (1 Tim. 4:14)
● To encourage and rebuke; (Titus 1:9; 1 Thes. 4:1)
● To prescribe discipline for congregants for wrong-doing.
● To exhort; (Acts 13:15; Acts 20:2)
● To keep and practice events which the bible instructs us to do, such as conducting Holy Communion.
● Devotion to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.
● To select deacons to handle the matters of physical needs that may distract elders from functioning in their sphere of responsibility. (Acts 6:3-4), i.e. choose and ordain other leaders.
● To ensure orderliness in conducting worship services;
● To pray for the believers to receive spiritual gifts. (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6)
● To pray for people who are spiritually oppressed, to be set free.
● To help believers in identifying their gifts to utilize them.
● To encourage believers to utilise their gifts in the church.
● To provide pre-marital counselling to youths in relationships.
Deacons
Deacon means “servant” of the church.
Deacons have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders’. The biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling of shepherding and teaching the church).
We see the distinction between the two offices (elders and deacons) as stated in Acts 6:1–6. The apostles were devoted “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (v. 4). Since this was their primary calling, seven men were chosen to handle more practical matters in order to allow the apostles the freedom to continue with their work of prayer and ministry of the word.
Before one is chosen to become a deacon or deaconess, he/she is put to the test for approval, (1Tim. 3:10). We allow for some time before the judgment is made that this man should be a deacon. We give the man time to show his faithfulness and prove himself worthy of the office. We avoid choosing new converts, (1 Timothy 3:6).
At Glad Tidings Fellowship, deacons’ office bearers can be, men or women, this includes youths yet to marry.
Moreover, we also examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, doctrinal maturity, and also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.
We also find out with the wife, is the man is married, so that we get an understanding on personal and Christian lifestyle. The men chosen will be prayed for by the church leadership, laying hands upon them to commit them to the office for service.
Our biblical passage (1 Timothy 3:8–13), serves as our reference for qualifications to choose deacons’ office bearers. In this passage, Paul gives an official but not exhaustive list of the requirements for deacons. At Glad Tidings Fellowship, we have adopted this biblical qualifications to guide the elders in choosing deacons.
The similarities of the qualifications for deacons and elders/overseers in 1 Timothy 3 are striking. Like the qualifications for elders, a deacon must not be an addict (v. 3,), not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 3), blameless (v. 2; Titus 1:6), the husband of one wife (v. 2), and an able manager of his children and household (vv. 4–5). Furthermore, the focus of the qualifications is the moral character of the person who is to fill the office: a deacon must be mature and above reproach. The main difference between an elder and a deacon is a difference of gifts and calling, not character.
Some qualifications for deacons are identified in 1 Timothy 3:8-12 and Acts 6:3:
- Dignified (v. 8):This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,”;
- Not double-tongued (v. 8):Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
- Not addicted to much wine (v. 8):A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
- Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8):If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
- Sound in faith and life (v. 9):Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way Paul speaks of the gospel (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs, for he must also hold these beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is, the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
- Blameless (v. 10):Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Although Paul does not specify what type of testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined.
- Godly wife (v. 11): (we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife). According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10). This is a general requirement which functions similarly to the requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and for deacons to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
- Husband of one wife (v. 12):The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically. No background of devorce.????
- Manage children and household well (v. 12):A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.
- Full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3) Natural ability is important, but secondary to the motivation and empowering of the Holy Spirit. It is better to use someone who is sensitive to God and lacking natural ability.
- Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3) Individuals who are working in the name of leadership will need wisdom because they will find themselves in emotional situations where wisdom is demanded.
At Glad Tidings Fellowship, we acknowledge that deacons, have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders. The deacons’ role is more service-oriented. Our deacons’ role is to take care of the physical or material and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling.
The elders delegated certain administrative responsibilities to the deacons so that they elders can focus their efforts to accomplish their God-given calling of shepherding and teaching the church. The deacons could be responsible for anything that’s not related to teaching and shepherding the church. At Glad Tidings Fellowship, the deacons are responsible for:
● Facilities: Managing the church property. This includes making sure the place of worship is prepared for the worship service, cleaning up (which includes the washrooms). General Maintenance of the church buildings, utilities (water supply, electricity, fuel, toilets & sewerage system, grounds).
● Benevolence: Similar to what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily distribution to the widows, our deacons are involved in administrating funds or other assistance to the needy. Assistance given includes school fees, rentals, food, clothing, etc.
● Finances: Our elders oversee the financial business of the church (Acts 11:30), but they have left to the deacons to handle the day-to-day matters. Amongst the deacons, we have experts in handling finances and accounting offering the services voluntarily. The duties include collecting and counting the tithes, offering, keeping records, providing accounting information to outside interested parties, like ZIMRA (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority), and allocating donations to church workers.
● Ushering: Our deacons are responsible for, seating the congregation in the worship service or any other church gathering, maintaining order outside the church during services and assisting elders during Holy Communion services.
● Logistics: Our deacons are responsible for all logistical arrangements, whenever this is required, (E.g. during camps, outings, conferences, and any special event held by the church). Our deacons are available to help in variety of ways.
● Security: Our deacons are responsible for security at the church and anywhere, where this service is required.