Pastors Credentialing and Orientation Winnipeg (June 5, 2013) The Church in God’s Mission (Tim...

Pastors Credentialing and OrientationWinnipeg (June 5, 2013)

The Church in God’s

Mission

(Tim Geddert)


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter?


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter?- God’s plan is bigger than individuals.



- The church is “the covenant people of God.”




- The church is God’s prototype for the “restored humanity.”



- God’s plan is bigger than individuals.


- The church is God’s prototype for the “restored humanity.”

- The church is God’s “contrast society” in a

fallen world.




Ecclesiology: Why does it matter?- Theological and ethical diversity can often

be traced back to diverse ecclesiologies.


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter?- Theological and ethical diversity can often be traced back to diverse ecclesiologies.

- Without a clear ecclesiology, we be “collecting good ideas” but it won’t hold together.


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter especially to MB’s?.


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter especially to MB’s?- Anabaptists restored the NT concept of

“church” in a coercive state-church union.


Ecclesiology: Why does it matter especially to MB’s?- Anabaptists restored the NT concept of “church” in a coercive state-church union.

- With our hybrid identity (Anabaptist-

Evangelical), we are even more confused

about this than most churches.


Topics (from which to select) - Perspectives on the church (a poem, a song, a text)

- “I WAS GLAD” (Psalm 122)

- Mandated to subdue and rule (Genesis 1, etc.)

- How does Jesus treat tax collectors? (Matt. 9, 18)

- Mandated to make disciples (Matt. 28:16-20)

- Leadership in the church

- Priorities of the church (Acts 2:42-47)

- Re-living Acts 15

Perspectives on the Church

Everything depends on one’s perspective!

THE PARABLE OF THE TOOL SHED

C.S. Lewis(God in the Dock, in "Collected Works", p.

442)

I was standing today in a dark tool shed. The sun was shining outside and through the crack at the top of the door there came a sunbeam. From where I stood, that beam of light, with the specks of dust floating in it, was the most striking thing in the place. Everything else was almost pitch-black. I was seeing the beam, not seeing things by it.

Then I moved, so that the beam fell on my eyes. Instantly the whole previous picture vanished. I saw no tool shed, and (above all) no beam. Instead I saw, framed in the irregular cranny at the top of the door, green leaves moving on the branches of a tree outside and beyond that, 90 odd million miles away, the sun. Looking along the beam, and looking at the beam are very different experiences.

FROM A DISTANCE

FROM A DISTANCE

(written by Julie Gold, as sung by Bette Midler)

From a distanceThe world looks blue and greenAnd the snow capped mountains whiteFrom a distanceThe ocean meets the streamAnd the eagle takes to flight

From a distanceThere is harmonyAnd it echoes through the landIt's the voice of hopeIt's the voice of peaceIt's the voice of every man

From a distanceWe all have enoughAnd no one is in needAnd there are no guns, No bombs and no disease,No hungry mouths to feed

From a distanceWe are instrumentsMarching in a common bandPlaying songs of hopePlaying songs of peaceThey are the songs of every manGod is watching usGod is watching usGod is watching usFrom a distance

From a distanceYou look like my friendEven though we are at warFrom a distanceI just cannot comprehendWhat all this fighting's for

From a distanceThere is harmonyAnd it echoes through the landAnd it's the hope of hopesIt's the love of lovesIt's the heart of every man

God is watching usGod is watching usGod is watching usFrom a distance

God is watching usGod is watching usGod is watching usFrom a distance...

Hebrews 11:13-16

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country -- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

I WAS GLAD

WHEN THEY SAID TO ME

“LET US GO

TO THE LORD’S HOUSE”

(Psalm 122:1)

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the Lord’s House” (Psalm 122:1)

2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. 8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, Peace be within you. 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

Mandated to “subdue” and “rule”

27 God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

Mandated to “subdue” and “rule”

1Give the king your justice, O God and your righteousness to a king’s son. 2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. . . . 4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. . . . 7In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. 8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (from Ps. 72)

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infantsyou have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals – that you care for them?

Psalm 8

Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Gen. 3:14,15

The Lord God said to the serpent,‘Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures;upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.’

Rom. 16:20

The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Luke 10:19

See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.

Rev. 12:10,11

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah,for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Rev. 12:10,11

But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

Ephesians 1:18-23

. . . so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

Ephesians 1:18-23

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head . . .

Ephesians 1:18-23

. . . over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

How Does Jesus Treat Tax Collectors?

Matthew 99 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.


Matthew 911When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”


Matthew 10

2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.


Matthew 11

19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!”

Church as a Discerning Ethical Community

15‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. (Matthew 18)

Church as a Discerning Ethical Community

18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ (Matthew 18)

Mandated to Make Disciples

16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28)


Context:


Context:

- the whole Bible;


Context:

- the whole Bible;

- the Mission of Jesus;


Context:

- the whole Bible;


- the Gospel of Matthew;


Context:

- the whole Bible;



- loving God and neighbor;


Context:

- the whole Bible;




- following the risen Jesus;


Context:

- the whole Bible;





- worship;


Context:

- the whole Bible;





- worship;

- doubt;


Context: - the whole Bible;- the Mission of Jesus;- the Gospel of Matthew;- loving God and neighbor; - following the risen Jesus;- worship; - doubt;- the authority and presence of Jesus.


Content: (TNIV)

19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.


Content:

- Go!

- Make disciples!

- baptizing

- teaching


Content:

- Go!

- Make disciples!

- baptizing

- Teach!


Content:

- Go!

- Make disciples!

- Baptize!

- Teach!


Content:

- going

- Make disciples!

- baptizing

- teaching

The Content of Jesus’ Commission

Make disciples!

or

Disciple the nations!


Two clarifications:

1. Which part of the Great Commission

is about “getting conversions”?


“Going – be about the business of transforming all nations into Jesus-followers: Do it by initiating people into the Christian life, and then by helping them understand and follow everything I have taught you.”


Two clarifications:

2. If going is a participle,

is going optional?


One more amazing thing!

- We get to do the participle work! - Jesus will do the imperatival work!

- He is the one who makes the

mission possible!

Local Church Leadership in the New Testament

Note: these are my personal views on what the NT teaches (and does not teach). There are many models of church leadership. We need to think of these as “strategies for doing church” and not consider them “the (only) biblical way to do it.” As strategies they are optional, changeable and open to criticism. The most important question we must ask of all our strategies is: Does this help us or hinder us in being faithful to the biblical vision?

Leading the Church

1. The role of NT church leaders is different from the roles of OT leaders like patriarchs (e.g. Abraham), charismatic leaders (e.g. Moses), generals (e.g. Joshua), prophets, priests, judges, and kings.

- In the OT these were the only people with the Holy Spirit, the only ones “called into ministry,” and their role was to be “mediators” between God and the people.

- In the NT all have the Holy Spirit, all are called to ministry, and leaders have the task of equipping, not mediating.

Leading the Church

2. NT church leaders do not derive their job descriptions from the model of Jesus nor from the apostles. These, too, were “mediators” and had final decision-making authority over the church.

- If the apostle said, “yes” and the church said “no”, the apostles were considered right!

Leading the Church

We today also have “mediators” with the “final word” (1 Tim. 2:5 and 2 Pet. 3:2.)

1 Tim 2:5

For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind,Christ Jesus, himself human.

2 Peter 3:2

You should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles.

Leading the Church

3. NT church leaders were always part of a team of leaders. No church leader in the NT was ever called “Senior Pastor” (but see 1. Peter 5:2-4).

1 Peter 5:2-4

2Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4And when the Senior Pastor appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. (cf. Acts 20:17,28)

Leading the Church

“Helping the church to be the church”

11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-12)

New Testament Leaders

episkopos = bishop/overseer (emphasis is on vision, seeing the larger picture)

presbuteros = presbyter/elder (emphasis is on experience and wisdom)

poimen = shepherd/pastor (emphasis is on feeding, protecting, restoring)

Leading the Church

5. The NT makes no “clergy” – “laity” distinction (neither based on education, nor employment, nor responsibility, nor the nature of one’s gifts).

According to the NT, there are no ministries within the church that require “ordination” or any other kind of sacramental act.

6. The NT has no double standards, i.e. a “stricter” standard for leaders and a “looser” standard for others. We all strive to live by the same standards of faithful discipleship. Those who are chosen as leaders must be living exemplary lives, but based on the same standards that apply to all.

1 Tim 3:1-7

The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be . . .

above reproach, - married only once,

- temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable,

- an apt teacher (didaktikos), - not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not

quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. - He must manage his own household well . . .- He must not be a recent convert . . .

he must be well thought of by outsiders . . .

Leading the Church

7. It is appropriate for the church to employ and/or remunerate for any necessary ministries that cannot be carried out by volunteers. However “payment” does not automatically carry with it any decision-making or leadership authority. Nobody becomes either “boss” or “slave” of the church simply by taking a position on a church staff. We should not view the “salary” as payment for ministry, but rather as financial support to enable ministry.

Leading the Church

8. In the NT, leaders work as a team. Their primary task is to help the church to be the church, i.e. they help the church become a body of ministers where all members exercise ministry gifts so that the whole body can be built up and effectively carry out its ministry in the world.

“Helping the church to be the church”

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-12)

Getting our Priorities Straight

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)


The early church devoted itself directly to four things (2:42):

- the apostles’ teaching,- the fellowship, - the breaking of bread,- the prayers.

Everything else (2:43-47) were consequences of that.


“The Teaching of the Apostles”

- The apostles were present to teach;

- Teaching was a central event in the

church's life;

- What was taught was taken seriously in

living the Christian life together


“Fellowship”- “koinonia” means “having something in common.”- The focus is not on each other, but on

being fellow sharers of something other than "each other."


“Breaking of Bread”

(shared eating to establish bonds with each other and with the crucified, risen and present Christ)

- the common meals

- the communion table

- sharing with those more needy


“Prayer” (or “The Prayers”)

- spontaneous prayers?

- liturgical prayers?

- scheduled prayer times?

- all of the above?


The rest of the text defines ways of expressing each of the above "devotions" and also the results that were experienced as a result of having the priorities right.

The framework:

- Everyone was in awe (insiders and outsiders)

- The Lord added to their number (growth as a result of their "witness/evidence")


The Details: Signs and wonders, community of goods (sharing of needs), frequent meetings in the temple (for worship?), home groups (including potlucks), joy and sincerity in the relationships, praising God, “having grace with all the people” . . .

- When these things are not happening, do we change our priorities?


Implications (for discussion) - The “priorities” remain the priorities, even when the

“results” aren't happening! - The “details” can change without changing the priorities. - Not everything that is to characterize the life of the church has to happen in the Sunday morning

“Worship Service.” - Churches should plan strategically which important aspects of church life should happen in the worship service and which need to be planned into other church contexts.

Re-living Acts 15

1 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ 2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. 3So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers.

Re-living Acts 15

4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.’ 6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter.

Re-living Acts 15

The issues of the Jerusalem

Re-living Acts 15

The issues of the Jerusalem It was about a significant theological decision:

Re-living Acts 15

The issues of the Jerusalem It was about a significant theological decision: It was about the ethical implications of the

answer to the first question.

Re-living Acts 15


answer to the first question. It was about the ethnic implications of the larger

issue.

Re-living Acts 15



issue. It was about the practical social implications of

the Jew-Gentile question.

Re-living Acts 15



issue. It was about the practical social implications of

the Jew-Gentile question. It was about the means by which they reached a

consensus.

Re-living Acts 15

The results of the conference

The theological question Peter explained: “On the contrary, we believe

that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (Acts 15:11).

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question the four “conditions” or the four “essentials”

“We should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from porneia (fornication?) and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.”

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question (four goals)

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question (four goals) To make it “not too difficult” for the Gentiles

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question (four goals) To make it “not too difficult” for the Gentiles To make it not too difficult for the Jews, either.

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question (four goals) To make it “not too difficult” for the Gentiles To make it not too difficult for the Jews, either. To protect the new converts from slipping back

into their old lifestyles.

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question (four goals) To make it “not too difficult” for the Gentiles To make it not too difficult for the Jews, either. To protect the new converts from slipping back

into their old lifestyles. To facilitate evangelism among both Gentiles

and Jews.

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question The list appears to contain three matters of

Jewish ceremonial law and one (“fornication”) which is an ethical matter.

Re-living Acts 15


The ethical question The list appears to contain three matters of

Jewish ceremonial law and one (“fornication”) which is an ethical matter.

I believe that this short list makes no attempt at all to establish basic and permanent ethical guidelines.

Re-living Acts 15


The ethnic question We are reconciled to God through our

relationship with Jesus made possible by God’s grace. We learn together with all other believers what an ethical Christian lifestyle involves. Everything else is ethnic, cultural, optional.

Re-living Acts 15


The practical question The church was ready to adopt practical

solutions to their problems, solutions that facilitated fellowship, Christian maturity, and witness.

Re-living Acts 15

In every time and place we are challenged to discern anew: How can we make it easier and not harder for newcomers to join the Christian community? Which restrictions are necessary so that the more conservative among us are not pushed too far? What guidelines will help new converts avoid slipping back into their pre-Christian lifestyles? What helps the church to gain a credible testimony?

Re-living Acts 15

How did they manage all that?

Re-living Acts 15

How did they manage all that? They came together, even if it cost a great

deal of time and energy.

Re-living Acts 15


deal of time and energy. Everyone was given an opportunity to

contribute to the discussion.

Re-living Acts 15



contribute to the discussion. They recalled what God had done among

them in the past.

Re-living Acts 15



contribute to the discussion. They recalled what God had done among

them in the past. They recognized that God was now doing

something new.

Re-living Acts 15

How did they manage all that? They examined the Scriptures.

Re-living Acts 15

How did they manage all that? They examined the Scriptures. They aimed to make it easier and not harder

for newcomers.

Re-living Acts 15


for newcomers. They took seriously the interests of both sides

in the debate.

Re-living Acts 15


for newcomers. They took seriously the interests of both sides

in the debate. They did not say “It seemed good to the Holy

Spirit and to us” until they had reached consensus.

Re-living Acts 15

And then?

The Church is:

The People of God

Gathered around Jesus

Living by the Spirit

and Participating in the Reign of God.

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