Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 3: L AUNCH AND A SSEMBLE • 313

B. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s presence and agent within the Body , directing all her affairs and gifting all its members as he sees fit, 1 Cor. 12.1-13.

C. The Word of God is final rule for both belief and practice in the Church, 2 Tim. 3.16-17.

D. Christ empowers the church through his delegated authority . God has appointed men and women in the church to serve, protect, nurture, and equip the members for spiritual maturity and for the work of the ministry. These leaders must be duly appointed and/or elected, demonstrating maturity in Christ, and confirmed and acknowledged by the members of the body, Eph. 4.11-16; Heb. 13.17; 1 Pet. 5.1-4; 1 Tim. 3.1-13; Titus 1.5-9; Acts 6.1-7. III. The importance of spiritual authority is taken quite seriously at Anyname, and we have designed an authority structure that seeks in every way to take seriously the principles stated above. How does it function? (Cf. The Anyname Constitution) A. The Elders Council authorizes and oversees the church’s life and ministry. These men and women must match the criteria mentioned in scripture for mature leadership, and are selected from among and by the congregation to serve for three year terms. B. The Pastoral Team (i.e., its senior and associate pastors) supervises and empowers the congregation in consultation with the Elders. Their role is to equip the members for spiritual maturity and the work of the ministry. These men and women must match the criteria mentioned in scripture for mature leadership, and are called by the congregation to serve as they allow. C. The Deacons and Deaconesses minister to the practical needs of the body, supporting and caring for its members as needs arise. These men and women must meet the qualities of a deacon mentioned in 1 Timothy 3, are selected by the congregation, and serve for two year terms. D. The congregation of Anyname confirms and ratifies all the appointments and decisions of the elders and pastors. Accepted as members by confession of faith, baptism, and life, the congregation meets regularly to confirm by vote the decisions and rulings of Anyname’s leaders.

Context Values/Vision

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