North Charlottesville church of Christ

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Decision Making in a Local church - Part 1

Larry Rouse
02/16/25 - Sun AM

Series: Decision Making in a Local Church

Meeting Purpose

To discuss how decisions are made in local churches according to biblical principles.

Key Takeaways

• Local churches should make decisions based on biblical authority, not majority rule or individual preferences

• There is a biblical pattern for church organization, including appointing elders as leaders

• Decision-making should involve communication with the whole church, but final decisions made by male leadership

• Churches can function without elders temporarily, but should work towards appointing qualified elders

Topics

Biblical Authority for Church Organization

• No direct command to build local churches, but implied through examples in Acts and epistles

• Pattern established by apostles of forming local churches wherever people were baptized

• Specific instructions given for appointing elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1)

• Paul taught the same ways "in every church" (1 Cor 4:17)

Leadership Roles

• Elders should be appointed to lead churches, not evangelists or self-appointed leaders

• Men are to be in leadership roles, following pattern of male leadership in the home

• Women play vital roles but are not to be in authority over men in the church

Decision-Making Process

• Requires communication and input from whole congregation

• Final decisions made by male leadership (elders if appointed, or men of the congregation)

• Can use various methods: meetings, phone calls, emails, etc.

• Caution against small group of men making all decisions without proper communication

Challenges in Decision-Making

• Balancing input from mature and immature Christians

• Avoiding contentious attitudes

• Working through disagreements biblically

• Gradual shifts away from biblical patterns in some churches

Next Steps

• Continue to study biblical principles for church organization and decision-making

• Work towards qualifying and appointing elders in the future

• Maintain open communication and trust as decisions are made

• Be patient with one another and willing to grow through the process