5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic

ThePastor'sAuthorityandtheChurchMember's
Responsibility
UpdatedandenlargedOctober11,2011(firstpublishedNovember22,2003)(DavidCloud,FundamentalBaptist
InformationService,P.O.Box610368,PortHuron,MI48061,8662954143,fbns@wayoflife.org

ThisreportisupdatedandinebookformatHERE
___

Therearetwothingsthatwedesiretocoverinthisarticle.First,wewanttoreinforcethescripturalauthority
ofthepastoratewhilewarningabouttheabuseofpastoralauthority.Secondly,wewanttoremindchurch
membersoftheirGodgivenresponsibilitytowardpastors.

THEPASTORSAUTHORITY

SOMEGENERALLESSONSABOUTPASTORALAUTHORITY

FollowingaresomeimportantBibletruthsaboutpastoralauthority:

1.THEREARECERTAINMENINCHURCHESCALLEDRULERSANDOVERSEERS(Acts20:281Thes.
5:12Phil.1:11Tim.3:1Tit.1:7).TheseversesteachthatGodcalledpastors(thesameofficeiscalledelder
andbishophaveauthorityovertheassemblies.OtherChristiansaretosubmittothisauthority.Asachurch
member,pastoreldersareovermeintheLord.WhenIhonorandsubmittothem,Iamnotsubmittingmerely
toamanIamsubmittingtotheLordandChiefShepherdofthechurch.Manywomencouldsharewithus
horrorstoriesofhowtheirhusbandsabusedtheirauthority,butthisdoesntdestroythefactthatGodhas
givenhusbandsauthorityinthehome.Whenthewifesubmitstoahusband,sheisnotsubmittingmerelytoa
man,withhismanysinsandfrailtiessheissubmittingtoherLordGod(Eph.5:22).Abusesofpastoral
authoritydonotnegatethefactthatGodhasgivenauthoritytopastorsandthattheBibledemandsthatwe
submittoGodcalledpastorswhoareleadingaccordingtoGodsWord.EvenincasesinwhichaChristianhas
beenundertheinfluenceofanabusiveorunscripturalpastoralsituation,heorshemustmaintainaproper
attitudeinregardtopastoralauthority.Heshouldleavesuchachurch,ifnecessary,andfindaspiritually
healthychurchthatisledbyGodcalledmenandjoinitandsubmittotheirGodgivenauthority.AChristian
mustcarefullyguardhisspiritsothathedoesnotbecomebitter.HemustexaminehimselfbeforetheLordto
besurethatheisnotrebellioustowardgenuineGodgivenauthority.Sometimeswethinktheproblemiswith
thosewhohavetheruleoveruswheninrealityitiswithourownstubbornhearts.

2.CHURCHLEADERSARECALLEDBYTHREEDIFFERENTTERMS(pastor,elder,bishop),theterms
referringtodifferentaspectsofthesameoffice.InTitus1:57thetermselderandbishopareappliedtothe
sameoffice.In1Peter5,thesamechurchleadersarecalledelders(verse1),pastors(poimainoor
shepherds,verse2),andbishops(episkopeooroverseers,verse2).Thusthehierarchicalformofchurch
governmentwhichplacesbishopsovereldersisnotbiblical.Apastorelderisabishop,andabishopisan
elder.

3.EACHCHURCHISTOHAVEITSOWNLEADERSANDGOVERNMENT(Tit.1:5Acts14:23).Sincethisis
clearlytheNewTestamentpattern,anyoutsideformofcontrolovertheNewTestamentchurchisunbiblical.

4.EVERYPASTORISTOBEGODCALLED,SCRIPTURALLYQUALIFIED,andORDAINED(Acts14:231
Tim.3Tit.1).NewTestamentchurchesarenottobeledbyunordainedmenorbymenwhocannotdothe
wholeworkofapastorelderbishop.Everypastoristobebothateacher,aspiritualprotector,andaruleror
overseer(Acts20:281Tim.3:2Tit.1:9111Pet.5:12).

5.DEACONSARENEVERREFERREDTOINTHECAPACITYOFRULINGOROVERSEEINGCHURCHES.
Thedeaconisaservantofthepastorsandthechurch,notarulerofthechurch.Churchrulebyadeaconboard
isunscripturalandhascausedgreatharminmanyassemblies.

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 1/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
6.THEREISNOSCRIPTURALSUPPORTFORANYOTHERSORTOFBOARDTHATHASAUTHORITY
OVERTHEPASTORORPASTORS.

THEEXTENTOFTHEPASTOR'SAUTHORITY

Ifresponsibilityimpliesacorrespondingauthority,whichitdoes,wecangetaclearideaoftheextentofa
pastor'sauthoritybyconsideringhisGodgivenresponsibilities.Therearethreemajorareasofpastoral
responsibility,withcorrespondingauthority:

1.APASTORHASTHERESPONSIBILITYTOTEACHANDSHEPHERDTHECHURCH(Acts20:28Eph.
4:11121Thes.5:121Pet.5:14).Pastors,therefore,havetheauthoritytooverseeallaspectsofsuchministry.
Theymusthavethefinaldecisionconcerningwhatistaughtandbywhom,andmustjudgeallthingsthatare
taughttomakecertainitiscorrect(1Cor.14:29).

2.APASTORHASTHERESPONSIBILITYTOPROTECTTHECHURCHFROMFALSETEACHING(Acts
20:28311Co.14:291Tim.4:16Tit.1:913).PastorshavetheGodgivenresponsibilityandauthorityto
determinewhatistaughtandpreachedandbywhom,aswellastoforbidthebrethrenfromgettinginvolved
withfalsethings,suchasBiblestudiesconductedbythewrongkindofteachers,meetingsinwhichunbiblical
doctrinesorpracticesarepromoted,etc.Thisincludesoversightofthemusicministryofthechurch,because
musicispartofthechurchsteachingministry(Eph.5:19Col.3:16).Apastordoesntneedpermissionfrom
thedeaconsortheleadfamiliesofthechurchinregardtowhoheinvitestopreachorwhatSundaySchool
lessonstouse,etc.PastorswillstandbeforeGodandgiveaccountforthechurchdoctrinally,andthey
thereforehavetheauthoritytoexercisecontrolinthisarea.

3.APASTORHASTHERESPONSIBILITYTOOVERSEETHEENTIREMINISTRYOFTHECHURCH(Acts
20:281Thes.5:121Pet.5:12).Thepastor'spositionofoverseeingthechurchissimilartothatofa
supervisorormanager.ThepastorsarenottodoalloftheworkoftheministryeveryChristianmustbebusy
intheworkofChristbutthepastorsaretotrainthepeoplefortheirindividualministriesandtosupervisethe
workoftheministry.Thereiswidespreadrebellionagainstandresistancetoeventhegodliestpastoral
authoritytoday.Suchistheproductofthefallenhumannatureandtheresultofthespiritofendtime
apostasy.IalsobelieveitistheresultofQuickPrayerismwherebymanychurchmembershaveprayeda
sinnersprayerbuthaventbeenconverted.The"oldman"hatesauthorityhewillnothaveanyoneruleover
him.ButpastoralauthorityisGodgiven,andtheonewhoresistsaGodcalledpastorinhisworkofleadingthe
churchaccordingtotheWordofGodwillanswertoJesusChristforhisstubbornness.HeartheBible:Obey
themthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmityourselves:fortheywatchforyoursouls,ASTHEYTHATMUST
GIVEACCOUNT,THATTHEYMAYDOITWITHJOY,ANDNOTWITHGRIEF:FORTHATIS
UNPROFITABLEFORYOU(Heb.13:17).ThepastorswillgiveaccounttotheLordfortheirministriesinthe
church,andthechurchmemberswillalsogiveaccount,andtocauseaGodcalledpastorgriefbymycarnal
stubbornness,unfaithfulness,anddisobediencewillbeunprofitableformeatthejudgmentseatofChrist.

SPIRITUALCHARACTERISTICSOFTHEPASTOR'SAUTHORITY

Theauthorityexercisedbyapastor,missionary,orotherchurchleaderistobedistinctlydifferentfromthat
exercisedbyleadersinthesecularworld(1Pet.5:3Mk.10:4243).

1.ITISAMINISTERINGAUTHORITYTHEAUTHORITYOFASHEPHERD(Acts20:282Cor.13:101Pet.
5:2).TheauthorityofapastorisforthepurposeofbuildingupandprotectingGod'speopleandwork.Itisnot
giventohimsothathecanpleasehimself.Thechurchdoesnotexisttopleaseandglorifypastorsitexiststo
pleaseandglorifytheLord.

2.ITISAHUMBLEAUTHORITYTHEAUTHORITYOFASTEWARD(Mk.10:42451Cor.3:94:112:7
Tit.1:71Pet.4:105:35).ThepastoristoruleunderthedirectionoftheLordJesusChrist,byChristsmind
andwillratherthanbyhisownmindorwill.Tobeselfwilledmeanstorulepompouslyaccordingtohuman
thinkinganddesireratherthanhumblyaccordingtoGodsWord.ThechurchisGod'spropertythepeopleare
God'speopletheworkisGod'swork(1Cor.3:59).Pastorsaremerelystewardsorcaretakers.Contrastthis
typeofleadershipwiththeministryofproud,willfulDiotrephes(3Jn.910).

3.ITISALOVINGAUTHORITYTHEAUTHORITYOFAFATHER(1Thes.2:711).Thepastoristohavea
godly,loving,tender,sacrificialconsiderationforthewelfareofthepeople.Hisruleisnottobean
overbearing,selfservingtypeofrule.Herejoiceswhenhischildrenmatureandstandontheirownfeetbefore

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 2/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
Christ.Hisgoalisnottomakethepeopledependentonhimhisgoalistomaturethememberssothatthey
caninterprettheBibleproperlyforthemselvesandfinddirectionfortheirlivesdirectlyfromChristthrough
theindwellingSpirit.

4.ITISALIBERATINGAUTHORITYTHEAUTHORITYTOBUILDUPNOTHOLDDOWN.ForthoughI
shouldboastsomewhatmoreofourauthority,whichtheLordhathgivenusforedification,andnotforyour
destruction,Ishouldnotbeashamed(2Cor.10:8).SeealsoEphesians4:1112.Thechurchisnotonlyahead
itisabody.AgodlypastorisnotinthechurchtohindertheSpiritsworkingthroughthebodyofbelieversby
exercisinganoppressivetypeofpastoringthatcripplesindividualvisionandinitiative.Hisroleinthechurch
israthertobuildupthebodysothatitpropersspirituallyandallofthevariousgiftsarefunctioningandChrist
canbeLordthroughouttheentirebodytofreelyaccomplishHiswork.Godlypastorshavethegoalofmaturing
theflocksothattheycanparticipateintheworkoftheLordtothefullestextentpossible.Theydonotwantto
tiethesaintsdownbuttoliberatethemtotheirgreatestpotentialinChrist.Toomanypastorsaresojealousof
theirauthoritythattheyhinderandcrippletheworkofGodbyturningtheministryoftheLordintoaone
manshow,andthepeopleriseonlytothelevelofhisservantsandnevermaturetothetruelibertyinChrist
thatweseeinScripture.Brethren,thesethingsoughtnottobe.

THEDIFFERENCEBETWEENPASTORINGANDLORDING

TheelderswhichareamongyouIexhort,whoamalsoanelder,andawitnessofthesufferingsofChrist,and
alsoapartakeroftheglorythatshallberevealed:FeedtheflockofGodwhichisamongyou,takingthe
oversightthereof,notbyconstraint,butwillinglynotforfilthylucre,butofareadymindNeitherasbeing
lordsoverGod'sheritage,butbeingensamplestotheflock(1Peter5:13)

Pastorshaverealauthorityinthechurch,butitisadifferentkindofauthoritythanthatexercisedbyworldly
lords.Notesomeofthedifferences:

Scripturalpastorslovetheflockandleadbycompassion,butlordstypicallydespisecompassiontheydont
encouragetheymerelydemand(1Thess.2:78).Whileapastorcertainlyhastheauthoritytodemand(Titus
2:15),itisadifferentkindofdemandingthanthatofaworldlylord.

Scripturalpastorsleadbyexample,butlordsmerelymakedemandswithlittleornoconcernthattheymust
exemplifywhattheydemand(1Pet.5:3).

Scripturalpastorsknowthattheflockisnottheirown,butlordsfeelthattheyownthepeopleandthuscan
controlthemaccordingtotheirowndesires(1Pet.5:2,3flockofGodGodsheritage).

Scripturalpastorscaremoreaboutthewelfareofthesaintsthantheirownprofit,butlordsruleforpersonal
gainandtypicallyarenotafraidtoabusethepeople(1Pet.5:2).

Scripturalpastorsarehumbleanddonotconsiderthemselvesgreaterthantheflock,butlordsexalt
themselveshighabovethepeople(1Pet.5:2amongyou1Pet.5:5).

ScripturalpastorsaimtobuildupthepeopleandfreethemtodoGodswill,butlordswanttocontrolthe
peopleandholdthemdown(Eph.4:11122Cor.10:8).TheGreekwordtranslateddestructionin2
Corinthians10:8isalsotranslatedpullingdown(2Cor.10:4).

ButJesuscalledthemtohim,andsaithuntothem,Yeknowthattheywhichareaccountedtoruleoverthe
Gentilesexerciselordshipoverthemandtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityuponthem.Butsoshallitnotbe
amongyou:butwhosoeverwillbegreatamongyou,shallbeyourminister:Andwhosoeverofyouwillbethe
chiefest,shallbeservantofall.ForeventheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andto
givehislifearansomformany(Mark10:4245).

MISCELLANEOUSSUGGESTIONSTOPASTORS

1.Neverforgetthatthepeoplearenotyoursandthatyouwillgiveaccountforthewayyoutreatthem(Acts
20:281Pet.5:14James3:1).Apastorcanhavehiswayinthechurchinthispresentworldevenifheis
wrongandsinning,becausethereisnohigherearthlyecclesiasticalauthoritythantheassemblybuthewill
standbeforetheGreatChiefShepherdandbejudgedforhowheacted.Hemustnotforgetthis.Ifanyman
defilethetempleofGod,himshallGoddestroyforthetempleofGodisholy,whichtempleyeare(1

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 3/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
Corinthians3:17).

2.Treatthepeopleasyouwouldwanttobetreated(Mat.7:12).Thinkbacktothetimebeforeyouwerea
pastor.Areyoutreatingthepeoplenowasyouwantedyourpastortotreatyouthen?Weretherethingsthe
pastordidthatdiscouragedyouratherthanbuiltyouupthen,andareyourepeatingthosesamemistakesin
yourownministry?Weretheirquestionsthatyouwantedtoaskandshouldhavebeenatlibertytoaskbut
wereafraidtoask?

3.Treatthepeoplewithequality(1Tim.5:21).Beverycarefulaboutexercisingfavoritism.Treatthepeople
withequalityinregardtoenforcingstandardsforworkers.Dontletsomeofthestandardsslidewithsome
becausetheyareyourpets.Treatthepeoplewithequalityinregardtoexercisingchurchdiscipline.Dontletit
besaidthatyouwereharshtowardsomeinthechurchandlenientwithothersoversimilarmatters.Iknowof
pastorswhohavedisciplinedtheirownsinningchildren,andthatisanexampletoemulate.

4.AimtobuildupthepeopleandthentogivethemlibertytodoGodswill(2Cor.10:8).Apastorshouldhave
thegoaloftreatingchurchmembersashedoeshisownchildren,maturingtheminChristsothattheycan
standontheirownfeetandmakegooddecisionsandfollowGodswill,notwantingthemtobeperpetually
dependentonhismicroscopicinvolvementandcontrol.Awiseparentevenallowshischildrentomake
mistakesalongtheway,knowingthattheymustlearnhowtodothingsontheirownandthattheywillnot
alwaysgetitrightthefirsttime.Shouldthatnotbethepastorsheart,aswell?

5.EncouragethepeopletohaveapersonalvisionofGodswillandtobringforthnewideasfortheLordswork
(Eph.4:1112).Theonlythingthepastorshoulddiscourageissinandfalseteaching.Dontletitbesaidthat
thepastordiscouragedpeopletohaveavisionandtoexercisetheirgiftsfreelywithintheboundariesof
Scripture.

6.Aimtoproducemanyleaderswhowillworkalongsideofyoutomultiplytheministry(Acts13:120:4).
EverywhereintheNewTestamentweseeapluralityofworkersandleaders,bothinindividualchurchesandin
missionarywork.Wisepastorswillnotfearsharingtheirauthorityandministrywithothergodlymensothat
theLordsworkcanmakegoodprogress.
7.Resistthetemptationtobeproudandtoexaltyourself(Mark10:4245).Thepositionofashepherdisa
lowlyone.ThepastorhasauthoritybutitistheauthorityofaservantunderaMasterandnotalordinhisown
right.Thepastorisaspiritualrulerandleader,abishop,buthehasauniquerelationshipwiththosewhomhe
rules.Heisashepherdbutatthesametimeheisoneofthesheep!Whilethechurchmembersarelikenedat
timestosheepandhavesomeofthecharacteristicsofsheep,theyarenotexactlyliketheanimalsbythatname
becausetheyarenotdumbbeastsandtheydonotexistfortheshepherdsprofitandpleasure.Eachchurch
memberisnotonlyasheepbutisachildofAlmightyGod,amemberoftheroyalpriesthood,andafree
citizenofthatholynation(1Pet.2:9).Churchmembersarenotonlylikenedtosheepbuttomembersofa
body,andthepastormusteverbemindfulthattheironetrueHeadisnotanearthlypastorbuttheLordJesus
Christ(Eph.1:22Col.1:18).

8.Receivecriticisminagodlymanner.Thefleshhatesanddespisescriticism.Thefleshisalwaysrightand
becomespuffedupifanyonechallengesitsfleshlywisdom.Butgodlywisdomisnotthatway.James3:17says
itiseasytobeintreated.WhenpeopleapproachedChristandaskedHimthings,Hedidntlashoutatthem
orbecomeangryandresentful.Thepastormusthaveahumbleattitudeandnotforgetthatheisnotan
authorityuntohimselfandthathecertainlydoesnotknoweverythingandisnotalwaysright.Also,itisthe
natureofthefleshtogrowcoldtowardthosewhotrytoreproveusandwhodonotagreewithus,butthe
pastormustnotbethatway.Godhastaughtustoloveevenourenemies,nottospeakofourowndear
brethreninChrist,yea,ourownchurchmembers,whodonotagreewithusoneverypoint(Rom.12:1620).

9.DontbeafraidtoleadbutbesurethatyouareleadingbytheclearteachingoftheBibleandnotbyyour
ownthinkingandhumantradition.IfyoudonthaveathussaiththeLordforthethingsyouaredoing,you
areondangerousground.YourauthorityisnotyourmindorwhatyoulearnedatBibleCollegeorwhatyou
learnedfromyourfirstpastoryoursoleauthorityisGodsWord.Thepastorisnottobeselfwilled(Titus
1:7).

10.Dontgiveyourauthoritytothosewhoarenotpastors,suchasdeacons,anddontallowstrongmenor
womentocontrolthingsfrombehindthescenes.

11.Dontbeafraidtoallowthecongregationtoshareinsomedecisions.InthebookofActs,thecongregations

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 4/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
participatedwiththepastorsintwomajordecisions.Thefirstwasintheselectionofdeacons(Acts6:56).The
pastorssetthestandards,andthecongregationchosethedeaconsbasedonthosestandards.Thesecondwas
inthesendingofmissionaries(Acts13:13).TheHolySpiritcalledthemissionariesandthechurchleadersand
thecongregationrecognizedthecall,laidhandsonthem,andsentthemforth.

THECHURCHMEMBERSRELATIONSHIPTOTHEPASTORS

GENERALRESPONSIBILITIES

1.RESPECTANDLOVETHEM(1Thes.5:1213).Andwebeseechyou,brethren,toknowthemwhichlabour
amongyou,andareoveryouintheLord,andadmonishyouAndtoesteemthemveryhighlyinlovefortheir
work'ssake.Andbeatpeaceamongyourselves

2.OBEYTHEIRTEACHINGASTHEYFOLLOWTHEBIBLEANDASTHEYSEEKTOBUILDUPTHE
CHURCHFORTHESERVICEOFTHELORD(Eph.4:1112).Andhegavesome,apostlesandsome,
prophetsandsome,evangelistsandsome,pastorsandteachersFortheperfectingofthesaints,forthework
oftheministry,fortheedifyingofthebodyofChrist.

3.FOLLOWTHEIREXAMPLES.Rememberthemwhichhavetheruleoveryou,whohavespokenuntoyou
thewordofGod:whosefaithfollow,consideringtheendoftheirconversation(Heb.13:7).Neitherasbeing
lordsoverGodsheritage,butbeingensamplestotheflock(1Pet.5:3).ThisshowstheimportanceofGods
standardsforpastors.Ifthechurchleadersdonotleadgodlylivesandhavegodlyhomes,theycannotbean
exampletotheflockandGodsworkbecomescorrupted.

4.SUBMITTOTHEIROVERSIGHT(Heb.13:17).Obeythemthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmit
yourselves:fortheywatchforyoursouls,astheythatmustgiveaccount,thattheymaydoitwithjoy,andnot
withgrief:forthatisunprofitableforyou.

5.PRAYFORTHEM.Finally,brethren,prayforus,thatthewordoftheLordmayhavefreecourse,andbe
glorified,evenasitiswithyou(2Thess.3:1).SeealsoHeb.13:18Eph.6:1819Col.4:23.

6.PROVIDEFORTHEIRPHYSICALNEEDS(1Tim.5:1718).Lettheeldersthatrulewellbecountedworthy
ofdoublehonour,especiallytheywholabourinthewordanddoctrine.Forthescripturesaith,Thoushaltnot
muzzletheoxthattreadethoutthecorn.And,Thelabourerisworthyofhisreward.Achurchthatis
penuriouswithapastorviolatestheScripture.Rarelydoessuchachurchmanifestspiritualpowerorprogress.
Theprinciplesrevealedin2Corinthians9:610areworthyofconsideration(PaulJackson,TheDoctrineand
AdministrationoftheChurch).

MISCELLANEOUSSUGGESTIONSTOCHURCHMEMBERS

1.GIVETHEPASTORSTHEBENEFITOFTHEDOUBTANDDOEVERYTHINGYOUCANTOBEA
SUBMISSIVE,OBEDIENTCHURCHMEMBER.TheBibleusesverystronglanguageaboutthechurchs
submissiontopastoralauthority.Obeythemthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmityourselves...(Heb.
13:17).Thosearestrongwords.UnlessthepastorsareleadingcontrarytotheBibleinaveryclearandobvious
manner,thechurchmembermustsubmittothemasuntoGod.Itislikeawifeuntoahusband.Wives,submit
yourselvesuntoyourownhusbands,asuntotheLord(Eph.5:22).Everywifeknowsthatifshesubmitstoher
husbandsheissubmittingtoaveryimperfectman,butsheisnotmerelysubmittingtoherhusband,sheis
submittingtotheLordwhogaveherthathusband.HereyesareultimatelyonChrist.Likewise,thechurch
memberdoesnotsubmitmerelytoamanhesubmitstotheLordwhohasestablishedtheofficeofthe
pastorateandwhohasputthatmanintotheoffice.Toomanychurchmembersthinkitistheirdutytoadvise
andcorrectthepastorinallmattersiftheythinkheisnotdoinghisjobproperly,eveninmattersthatdonot
pertaintoscripturalerror.Butiswiseandscripturaltoletpastorsbepastors.IfIamnotapastor,whywould
Godleadmeinregardtohowthechurchisoperatedinsteadofleadingthepastor?

2.BESURETHATYOUAREFIGHTINGFORSCRIPTURALTRUTHSANDNOTFORYOUROWN
PREFERENCES.IfIthinkthatsomethingiswronginthechurch,Imustaskmyself,DoestheBibleplainly
saythatthisiswrongoristhismerelysomethingthatIpersonallydonotlikeoragreewith?Manychurch
problemsarisebecauseofpersonalityconflictsandselfwillandtheattempttoexaltpersonalpreferenceand
traditiontotheplaceofScripture.Romans14speakstothisissue.HerePaulisaddressingthosethingsabout
whichtheBibledoesnotspeakinthisdispensation.Thetwoexamplesthathegivesaredietaryrulesandholy

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 5/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
days.ThesearethingsaboutwhichtheNewTestamentfaithissilent.UnlikeduringtheMosaicdispensation,
therearenolawsintheNewTestamentaboutwhatwearetoeat(1Tim.4:45).Likewise,therearenolawsin
theNewTestamentaboutkeepingthesabbathandaboutmaintainingcertainholyfestivalsandspecialdays
aftertheOldTestamentfashion.SincetheNewTestamentdoesnotcontainlawsonthesethings,theyare
areasofChristianliberty.Insuchthings,eachbelieverisfreetodoashepleasesbeforetheLord,buthecannot
pushhispreferencesonothersandjudgeothersaccordingtothesethings.Thechurchmemberwhohasa
problemwithsomethinginthechurchanddisagreeswithsomethingtheleadersaredoingneedstoask
himselfifhisthinkingontheissueisbasedonclearScriptureorifitisbasedmerelyonhispersonal
preferenceandhumanthinking.

3.GUARDYOURHEARTANDYOURATTITUDE.Wearetospeakthetruthinlove(Eph.4:15).Weneedto
haveacoolheadandawarmheart,notacoolheartandawarmhead!Whenweattempttocorrectotherswe
mustguardourownheartsanddosointhespiritofmeekness(Gal.6:1).2Timothy2:2425describesthe
spiritinwhichwearetoseektocorrectothers:AndtheservantoftheLordmustnotstrivebutbegentleunto
allmen,apttoteach,patient,Inmeeknessinstructingthosethatopposethemselves.ThelateevangelistMel
Rutterwouldsay,Beasfirmastherockinyourpositionbutassweetasthehoneyfromtherockinyour
disposition.Thedifferencebetweenleavingachurchoverlegitimatedoctrinalconcernsandleavingin
rebelliontowardpastoralauthoritywillbeevidencedintwoways,accordingtoJames3:1418.First,the
differencewillbeevidentinonesattitude.Contrastthebitterenvyingandstrifeofverse14withthegodly
attitudedescribedinverse17:peaceable,gentle,andeasytobeintreated,fullofmercyandgoodfruits,
withoutpartiality,andwithouthypocrisy.Second,thedifferencewillbeevidentinthefruitthatissuesfrom
thesituation.Contrastthefruitofverse16envyingandstrife...confusionandeveryevilworkwiththe
fruitdescribedinverse18,whichisthefruitofrighteousnessissowninpeaceofthemthatmakepeace.The
longtermconsequenceswilldemonstratethesecretsoftheheart.Ontheonehand,thosewhoareseekingto
strengthenthechurchandareopposedtothingsthataretrulyungodlyandunscripturalandwholeavea
churchonthatbasisaloneandnotbecauseoftheirownselfwillorcarnality,willgoontoserveChrist
fruitfullyinstrongerchurches.Ontheotherhand,thosewhoaremerelystrivingfortheirownselfwilland
whoarecausingtroubleinacarnalmannerusuallyhopfromchurchtochurch,causingtroubleeverywhere
theygo,losingtheirtestimonyandusuallytheirchildren,oftengoingfromastrongchurchtoaweakerchurch.
Thefactthattheymovetoachurchthatisweakerdoctrinallyandspirituallydemonstratesthattheissuewas
notactuallyabouttruthandrighteousness,butwasapersonalityconflictorsomethingofthatsort.

4.GUARDAGAINSTALLOWINGACHURCHPROBLEMTOPOISONYOURATTITUDETOWARDTHE
CHURCHASADIVINEINSTITUTION.Thisissimilartothepreviouspoint,butitdeservesaseparate
paragraph.Itisnotuncommonthatforsomeonewhodiscoversaseriousandlegitimatechurchproblem,
especiallyasinorerroronthepartofthepastors,tobecomeembitteredagainstthechurchasadivine
institution.Eventuallyheorsheseesnothingbutproblemsanderrorsinchurches.Everythingiswrong.We
mustbecarefulnottoallowthedeviltodothisinourlives,andweresistthisbycountingthegoodthingsas
wellasthebadandbynotforgettingthatChrististheonewhoestablishedthechurchandmadeitthepillar
andgroundofthetruthforthisage(Matthew16181Timothy3:15).ConsiderPaulsattitudetowardthe
churchatCorinth.Inspiteofitsseriouserrors,hethankedtheLordforthemonmanypoints(1Cor.1:492
Cor.1:11,14).

5.KEEPYOUREYESFOCUSEDONCHRISTRATHERTHANONMENINTHISWORLD.Lookingunto
Jesustheauthorandfinisherofourfaithwhoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despising
theshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod(Heb.12:2).Somebelieversaresaidtocarry
permanentspiritualscarsbecauseofbeinginchurchesthatareledbypastorsthatabusetheirauthority.
Othersleavechurchaltogetherandusethisastheirexcuse.Theprobleminsuchcasesisthatsuchfolkhave
theireyesandtheirtrustmoreonmenthanonJesusChrist.TheLordJesuswillneverdisappointus,butmen
willalwaysdisappointusinonewayortheother.Pastorsareonlyimperfectmenattheirbest.Theymake
mistakes.Theysin.Theycanbeselfishandpartialandshortsighted.

6.PRAYFORYOURPASTORSANDOTHERCHURCHLEADERS.Prayerdoestwothings.Itbringschange,
becauseGodanswersandworksthroughitanditalsohelpskeepmyhearttendertowardthoseforwhomI
aminterceding.

7.DONTFORGETTHATTHEREISNOPERFECTCHURCH.Eventhefirstchurchesestablishedbythe
apostleswereveryimperfect.ThechurchatCorinthwascarnalandwascharacterizedbydivision,fornication,
lawsuits,drunkennessduringtheLordssupper,misuseofspiritualgifts,andfalseteachers.Mostoftheseven
churchesmentionedinRevelation23hadseriousproblems.InthechurchatPhilippi,twowomenwereat

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 6/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
oddswitheachotherandhadtobecorrected(Phil.4:2).PetershypocrisyhadtoberebukedpubliclybyPaul
(Gal.2:1114).Thisisnotanexcusetoignoreproblemsanderrors.Eachofthesematterswasreproved.I
mentionthesethingsonlytoremindusthatchurchesarenotperfect,becausetheyaremadeupofvery
imperfectsinnerssavedbygraceandwemustkeepthisinmindaswedealwithchurchproblems.Ifyouleave
achurchoverdoctrinalormoralissues,youshouldhaveabetterchurchtomoveto,oryouwillonlybemoving
fromthefryingpanintothefire.

8.LEARNTOEXERCISEKEENSPIRITUALDISCERNMENT,DISTINGUISHINGBETWEENTHE
IMPORTANTANDTHELESSIMPORTANT.InMatthew23:23,theLordJesusChristtaughtthatnotall
thingsintheBibleareofequalimportance.Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!foryepaytithe
ofmintandaniseandcummin,andhaveomittedtheweightiermattersofthelaw,judgment,mercy,andfaith:
theseoughtyetohavedone,andnottoleavetheotherundone.Somebiblicalteachingsareweightierthan
others.EverythingintheBiblehassomeimportance,buteverythingisnotofequalimportance.Notevery
issueisanissueofseparationandnoteveryissueisimportantenoughtoleaveachurchover.Knowingthe
differencebetweenthetworequiresathoroughknowledgeofGodsWordandkeenspiritualdiscernment.This
isthelessonofthefollowingverses:AndImyselfalsoampersuadedofyou,mybrethren,thatyealsoarefull
ofgoodness,filledwithallknowledge,ablealsotoadmonishoneanother(Romans15:14).Forwhenforthe
timeyeoughttobeteachers,yehaveneedthatoneteachyouagainwhichbethefirstprinciplesoftheoracles
ofGodandarebecomesuchashaveneedofmilk,andnotofstrongmeat.Foreveryonethatusethmilkis
unskilfulinthewordofrighteousness:forheisababe.Butstrongmeatbelongethtothemthatareoffullage,
eventhosewhobyreasonofusehavetheirsensesexercisedtodiscernbothgoodandevil(Heb.5:1214).Such
discernmentrequiresspiritualmaturity,whichcomesonlythroughdiligentstudyandthroughexerciseofthe
sensestodiscerngoodandevil.PaultoldthechurchatRomethatthereasontheywereabletoadmonishone
anotherwasbecausetheywerefilledwithgoodnessandknowledge(Rom.15:14).AswematureinChristand
inourknowledgeoftheScripturesandingodliness,weareabletocorrectothersandtobeablessingtothe
church.ItisasadfactthatmanywhoattempttostraightenoutperceivedproblemsareweakinBible
knowledgeandcarnalintheirChristianliving,andasaresulttheycausemoreharmthangood.

9.IFYOUHAVEAPROBLEMORQUESTION,GODIRECTLYTOTHEPASTORSORTOTHEPEOPLE
INVOLVED.Oftentimeswediscoverthatourperceptionofamatteriswrongorthattheinformationwe
receivedwaswrongorthatwedidnothavealloftheinformation.Bydiscussingitdirectlywiththose
concernedrightatthebeginning,wecanavoidmakingamountainoutofamolehillandcausingstrifeover
nothing.

10.REMEMBERTHATPASTORSHAVEGREATERAUTHORITYANDGREATERRESPONSIBILITYINTHE
CHURCH.Thismeansthattheymustmakedecisionsthattheaveragechurchmemberdoesnotmakeandthat
theywillanswertoGodforthosedecisions.Thereisatimetoleaveachurchoverthingsthatareseriously
wrong,butwemustalsolearntoputmanythingsintothehandsoftheLordanddowhatHehastoldustodo,
whichistosubmittothechurchleadershipandbeablessingandbefruitful.Dontconfuseyourjobwiththat
ofthepastor.Asanonpastor,youdonthavetheauthorityofthepastornordoyouhavetheworkofthe
pastor(visitingthesick,buryingdead,beingoncallforanyneed,watchingforsouls,thecareofthechurch,
bearingthebruntofthedevilsattackagainstthechurch).Youalsodonothavetheresponsibilityofthepastor.
Hewillgiveaccountformore(James3:1).ThishashelpedmemanytimeswhenIhavenotagreedwithsome
decisionthatthepastorshavemade.IhavelaidthematterbeforetheLordandtoldtheLordthatthoughIdo
notagreewiththisdecision,itisnotmydecisiontomakeandIwillleavethematterinHishandsanddomy
parttobeablessingtoHischurch.

11.DONTLETANYTHINGDRIVEYOUAWAYFROMCHURCH.Thereareoccasionswhenweareforcedto
leaveacertainchurchoverseriousdoctrinalandmoralissues,butwemustnotallowanythingtokeepusout
ofchurchaltogether.JesusChristestablishedthechurch(Matt.16:18),andtherearemorethan100references
tothechurchintheNewTestament.MostoftheNewTestamentwaswrittendirectlytochurches,suchasthe
churchatEphesusandthechurchatPhilippi.ThebookofRevelationiswrittentosevenchurchesinAsia
Minor(Rev.23).ThebookofActsistheaccountoftheplantingandmultiplicationofthefirstchurches.The
PastoralEpistlesareaboutchurchwork.Eventhoseepistleswhicharenotwrittendirectlytochurchesalways
havetheassemblyinmind.ThebookofHebrews,forexample,containsstrongstatementsaboutthechurch
(Heb.10:2513:7,17).ThebookofJamesmentionsthechurchelders(Jam.5:14).Theepistleof1Peter
addressestheelders(1Pet.5:14).ThisdemonstratestheimportanceofthechurchintheeyesofGod,and
eachbelievermustbediligenttohavethesamezealfortheNewTestamentassemblyinhisownChristianlife.

Itiseasytocriticizeachurch,butIneedtoask,WhatamIdoingtomakethechurchsuccessfulandfruitful

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 7/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic
fortheLordsglory?Ishouldalsoask,Ifthewholechurchwerelikeme,whatwouldthechurchbe?Some
peoplecriticizeeverythingbuttheydonotaddanythingofsignificanceonthepositiveside.Thatiswrongand
destructivetotheworkoftheLord.

____________________________

DistributedbyWayofLifeLiterature'sFundamentalBaptistInformationService,anemaillistingforFundamentalBaptists
andotherfundamentalist,BiblebelievingChristians.Establishedin1974,WayofLifeLiteratureisafundamentalBaptist
preachingandpublishingministrybasedinBethelBaptistChurch,London,Ontario,ofwhichWilbertUngeristhefounding
Pastor.BrotherCloudlivesinSouthAsiawherehehasbeenachurchplantingmissionarysince1979.OURGOALINTHIS
PARTICULARASPECTOFOURMINISTRYISNOTDEVOTIONALBUTISTOPROVIDEINFORMATIONTOASSIST
PREACHERSINTHEPROTECTIONOFTHECHURCHESINTHISAPOSTATEHOUR.Thismaterialissentonlytothosewho
personallysubscribetothelist.Ifsomehowyouhavesubscribedunintentionally,followingaretheinstructionsforremoval.
TheFundamentalBaptistInformationServicemailinglistisautomated.ToSUBSCRIBE,goto
http://www.wayoflife.org/wayoflife/subscribe.html.TOUNSUBSCRIBEORCHANGEADDRESSES,gototheverybottomof
anyemailreceivedfromusandclick"ManageMySubscription."Ifyouhaveanytroublewiththis,pleaseletusknow.Wetake
upaquarterlyofferingtofundthisministry,andthosewhousethematerialsareexpectedtoparticipate(Galatians6:6)ifthey
can.SomeofthearticlesarefromOTimothymagazine,whichisinits28thyearofpublication.WayofLifepublishesmany
helpfulbooks.Thecatalogislocatedatthewebsite:http://www.wayoflife.org/publications/index.html.WayofLife
Literature,P.O.Box610368,PortHuron,MI48061.8662954143,fbns@wayoflife.org.Wedonotsolicitfundsfromthose
whodonotagreewithourpreachingandwhoarenothelpedbythesepublications,butonlyfromthosewhoare.OFFERINGS
canbemadeathttp://www.wayoflife.org/wayoflife/makeanoffering.html.PAYPALofferingscanbemadeto
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org

WAYOFLIFELITERATURESHARINGPOLICY:WayofLifescontentfallsintotwocategories:sharableandnon
sharable.Muchofourmaterialisavailableforfree,suchasthehundredsofarticlesattheWayofLifewebsite.Theseare
sharable.Otheritemsweselltohelpfundourveryexpensiveliterature,video,andforeignchurchplantingministry.Theseare
notsharable.Thingsthatweencourageyoutoshareincludetheaudiosermons,videopresentations,OTimothymagazine,and
thehundredsofFundamentalBaptistInformationService(FBIS)articles.Youarefreetomakecopiesoftheseatyourown
expenseandsharethemwithfriendsandfamily.Youarealsowelcometouseexcerptsfromthearticles.Allweaskisthatyou
givepropercredit.ThingswedonotwantcopiedandredistributedareitemsliketheFundamentalBaptistDigitalLibrary,the
printandeBookeditionsofourbooks,etc.Theseitemshavetakenyearstoproduceatenormousexpenseintimeandmoney,
andweneedtheincomefromthesaleofthesetohelpfundtheministry.WetrustthatyourChristianhonestywillpreservethe
integrityofthispolicy.

copyright2013,WayofLifeLiterature

Receivethesereportsbyemail
"About"DavidCloud
www.wayoflife.org

______________________

SharingPolicy:Muchofourmaterialisavailableforfree,suchasthehundredsofarticlesattheWayofLife
website.Otheritemsweselltohelpfundourexpensiveliteratureandforeignchurchplantingministries.Way
ofLife'scontentfallsintotwocategories:sharableandnonsharable.Thingsthatweencourageyoutoshare
includetheaudiosermons,OTimothymagazine,FBISarticles,andthefreeeVideosandfreeeBooks.Youare
welcometomakecopiesoftheseatyourownexpenseandsharethemwithfriendsandfamily,buttheycannot
bepostedtowebsites.Youarealsowelcometouseexcerptsfromthearticlesinyourwritings,insermons,in
churchbulletins,etc.Allweaskisthatyougivepropercredit.Thingswedonotwantcopiedanddistributed
freelyareitemsliketheFundamentalBaptistDigitalLibrary,printeditionsofourbooks,electroniceditionsof
thebooksthatwesell,thevideosthatwesell,etc.Theitemshavetakenyearstoproduceatenormousexpense
intimeandmoney,andweusetheincomefromsalestohelpfundtheministry.WetrustthatyourChristian
honestywillpreservetheintegrityofthispolicy."Forthescripturesaith,Thoushaltnotmuzzletheoxthat
treadethoutthecorn.And,Thelabourerisworthyofhisreward"(1Timothy5:18).

Goal:DistributedbyWayofLifeLiteratureInc.,theFundamentalBaptistInformationServiceisanemail
postingforBiblebelievingChristians.Establishedin1974,WayofLifeLiteratureisafundamentalBaptist
preachingandpublishingministrybasedinBethelBaptistChurch,London,Ontario,ofwhichWilbertUngeris
thefoundingPastor.BrotherCloudlivesinSouthAsiawherehehasbeenachurchplantingmissionarysince
1979.OurprimarygoalwiththeFBISistoprovidematerialtoassistpreachersintheedificationand
protectionofthechurches.

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 8/9
5/5/2015 CalvaryChapelandMaranathaMusic

Offering:Wetakeupaquarterlyofferingtofundthisministry,andthosewhousethematerialsareexpected
toparticipate(Galatians6:6)iftheycan.Wedonotsolicitfundsfromthosewhodonotagreewithour
preachingandwhoarenothelpedbythesepublications.Weseekofferingsonlyfromthosewhoarehelped.
OFFERINGScanbemailedormadeonlinewithwithVisa,Mastercard,Discover,orPaypal.Forinformation
see:www.wayoflife.org/about/makeanoffering.html.

http://www.wayoflife.org/database/pastorsauthority.html 9/9