clementsfamilyministry.com

THE CHURCH, STRUCTURE, AND ORDINATION

In order for a mission to be accomplished, there must be some form established to facilitate function. This facilitation function is accomplished through a structure or government. Because mission assumes priority over the form, the structure should be adaptive and sensitive to the demands of the mission. That is, the structure serves the mission and not the reverse. Structure is a process of allocating rights and duties while resolving conflicts and creating channels of communication. It is not just a body of rules or laws of “touch not, taste not, nor handle not.” It is people administering and negotiating. It is a living organism with sensitivity to the growing demands of people. Order is created in the delegation of duties and shared commitments. Structure is not simply a burden borne by a select minority called leadership. It is a majority function of all people manifesting a collective concern for an ultimate meaning and purpose in life. Shared commitment is the key phrase here.

Rules and regulations are necessary to promote the continuous process of government. Responsibility and accountability become practical when people know what they are called to do. Anarchy occurs as a reaction to oppressive government; failure to understand the functions of freedom; or ignorance of delegated assignments. Anarchy is freedom without government (1 Cor. 14:26).

Government must make provision for the involvement of people. It must provide for their suggestions and their complaints. The level of input should be in accordance with function of the individual. Once people grasp their abilities and how they can function, then creative energy can be channeled in the direction of their involvement. There can be a dimension of people sharing in the process of government without leadership abdicating its responsibility to lead. This requires a clear understanding of the leadership function to make decisions, establish directives, priorities, standards, and to activate and motivate the participation of people in the overall ministry. When people feel a part of the process, they will involve themselves in the mechanics of generating ministry.

Structure must embody character. Integrity, fairness, equity, humility, courtesy, love, nurturance, and patience are ingredients of character that must be a part of any productive order. Biblical character promotes trust, confidence, and cooperation.

The mechanics of the structure relates to the officers. There is a distinction between leadership and congregation. Paul expresses this principle of selectivity in several of his epistles (Eph. 3:1-5; 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:4-25;28-31; 1 Tim. 3:1-10; Tit. 1:7-9). The offices of the Church include the five-fold ministers and the bishops. All of these offices represent a plurality and not a hierarchy. It is a matter of distinctiveness of function and not in value. As Paul writes, “if the whole body were an eye where would the hearing?” (1 Cor. 12:17). The job description of the five-fold ministers and the bishops must be considered a plural function of cooperation and not a static hierarchy. This is a very critical point considering the emphasis upon apostolic and Episcopal offices today.