Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

330 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

The Communal Context of Authentic Christian Leadership Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Presbuteros “Elder” – depth, maturity, and spiritual experience Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-7 Cells are the incubators of personal discipleship, where believers gather to worship, share their gifts, be nurtured in the Word of God, bear one another’s burdens, and share the Gospel. Cells multiply when facilitated by spiritually mature disciples.

Cell

Cell

Cell

Cell

Cell

Cell

Congregation

Congregation

Poimen “Pastor” – Protect and Feed Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1, 2 Vital cells gather regularly together for mutual support, large group praise and worship, biblical teaching, fellowship, and sharing resources in mission. Healthy congregational life demands godly pastoral care and oversight of the cells interacting together.

Episkopos “Bishop” – To give watch over, oversee Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14 Individual local churches and their pastors, regardless of their vitality, need loving and strategic interaction with others of like mind, heart, and vision. Multiple congregations in a given locale prosper greatly when supplied with solid bishop oversight.

The Locale Church

Presbuteros , “an elder” is another term for the same person as bishop or overseer . . . . The term “elder” indicates the mature spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term “bishop” or “overseer,” indicates the character of the work undertaken. According to the divine will and appointment, as in the New Testament, there were to be bishops in every local church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14.” – Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary . Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996. p. 195