Study on church autonomy vs. centralized leadership
saintjohn | November 6, 2008The Movement – Great Among The Nations
Written by Jeremy Ciaramella
#1 The Movement: A Bible Church
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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Understand the context clearly. The scriptures exactly they speak of using right here are the scriptures of the Old Testament.
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As the “Sold-out discipling movement” this is critical to understanding what is going on and even in the application of some principles of leadership and governing the church.
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For example, Jethro in Exodus 18 Moses listened to his father in law, and “[Moses] chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” Whether we call these leaders “sector leaders”, “house church leaders” or “region leaders” or “bible talk leaders” - is not the point. What the point is, we apply and old testament principle for governing God’s people and seeing to it that needs get met.
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This also differs from the mainline church of Christ theology that you “speak where the bible speaks and be silent when the bible is silent.” The Movement’s approach to scripture is “Speak where the Bible is silent, and be silent where the Bible speaks.” Therefore, if the Bible commands something, you are silent and must obey God. However, if the Bible is silent on an issue, then one can implement any principle, structure or practice as long as it does not contradict the Scriptures.
1He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
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Timothy was a believer – for sure. The epistles of Paul and the other letters of the new testament were not even written yet. The gospels were not even written yet. The scriptures Timothy knew from infancy that were able to make him wise for salvation were the old testament scriptures.
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The principle here is that here is an evangelist who was to use the OT in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. This was to be the practice in every first century church.
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There are some other examples here:
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Paul took a well-like talented young disciple for the distinct purpose of training him. Tremendous amount of trust in this teacher->student discipling relationship, and clearly deep convictions on being like the Jew to win the Jew. 1 Corinthians 9:19-21
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Paul and Timothy delivered decisions by a central leadership that expected the people in other congregations to obey. That is not autonomy.
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AUTONOMOUS BY DEFINITION: “not subject to control from outside; independent:“
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When there was a willingness for people to obey the decisions of the central leadership the churches were both strengthened in the faith and grew daily.
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There is clearly seen a central leadership with a single leader throughout the Old Testament in men such as Moses, Joshua, the judges and David. In fact, God raised up each of these leaders to save Israel. (Judges 2:6-19)
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In the New Testament when Jesus physically walked the earth, He was the leader of God’s movement. Once the movement was established among the Jews, Paul was given the charge by God to evangelize all the Gentiles.
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Not just numerical growth from a heart to be unified with a central leadership, but also spiritual growth in a strengthening of faith.
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The purpose of this unity – spiritual and numeric growth.
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#2 – The Movement: Unified Brotherhood, Unified Dream
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Timing is important here to see how the churches worked closely together and HOW they stayed together in their common mission.
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Acts 15 was around 50 AD, Paul’s second missionary journey.
In your mind, it is important to visualize these three regions.
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Judea – the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean sea.
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The church in Jerusalem and the Judean churches in the area.
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The Galatia province to the Northwest of it. What is modern day Turkey.
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The church in Colosse in the middle part of Galatia.
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Over 500 miles Northwest from the churches in Judea.
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The church in Ephesus in the western part of Galatia.
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Over 100 miles west of Colosse and some 700 miles northwest of the Judean churches.
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The Macedonia province was further west of the Galatia province – across the Aegean Sea. It is now modern day Greece.
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Corinth in Maecdonia was some 200 miles westward across land and sea from Ephesus in Galatia.
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Corinth was 200 miles south of Thessalonica.
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Why all the geography? Consider this.
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In Acts 16 Right here – they moved about the Judean province delivering decisions that the people in these churches were to obey from the central leadership in Jerusalem. This was about 50 AD.
52AD 1 & 2 Thessalonians ~ 52 AD (Thessalonica – 200+ miles North of Achaia - Corthinth)
6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it…
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Achaia is a south western region of Greece. The most prominent church in the northern part of that region is the church in Corinth.
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A model is something to be followed. In this context, Paul is exemplifying their model. This notion does not stop here.
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What was the purpose of this unified brotherhood – the message ringing out everywhere!
1 Thessalonians 2:14 (Thessalonica – over 700 miles west of Judea – the Judaean Churches)
14For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,
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Concept of imitation. Cannot have imitation without centralized leadership and influence ensuring each church has the same spirit and same goals.
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The reason they were a model to the other churches in Macedonia and Achaia? They imitated the churches in Judea. The same Judean churches who were instructed and directed by the central leadership in Jerusalem in Acts 16.
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What was the purpose of this unified brotherhood?
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
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The message spreading rapidly! The dream of Jesus – all nations can’t hear it if it is not spreading rapidly.
56 and 57 AD 1 & 2 Corinthians (56-57 AD)
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This is 4-5 years later and addressing a church over 200 miles southward of Thessalonica. Over 200 miles took weeks to traverse. They were not “close” in their minds geographically. Weeks apart. No phones. No Internet. No cars. Donkeys, Camels, Carts – that’s about it.
14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
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Timothy – the evangelist – is sent to unify the church in Corinth (with each other AND with what is taught in everywhere in every church – c.f. 1 Corinthians 1:10)
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Through what? Imitation of Paul’s way of life, that is taught everywhere in every church – by sending an evangelist to provide and example and oversee the church’s repentance and to ensure they got unified with the rest of the churches in Judea, Macedonia, and Galatia.
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By definition:Autonomy = not subject to control from outside; independent:
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The purpose of this unity? Spiritual growth – repentance. Getting back to Jesus. And His mission – which is intensely emphasized in 1 Corinthains (e.g. 1 Cor 9:19-24 and 1 Cor 15:33-34)
1 Corinthians 11:1 1Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (Luke 19:10)
66AD Titus 1 (66 AD)
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This is nearly 10 years after 1 Corinthians.
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.
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Titus was the overseeing evangelist who selected the elders. Not the other way around.
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The principle of overseeing evangelist(s) is the glue that was key in unifying the first century. Same standards and the same dream – to evangelize the world.
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You see that the control and influence of the centralized leadership of the Judean churches and overseeing evangelists are what unified our first century brethren and what got the job done in their day of evangelizing the world in their generation!
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These Scriptures prove that directional decisions were made outside of a local church, thus promoting unity between the churches and propagating the movement.
#3 - The Movement: Shared Sacrifices For God’s Glory
Colossians 1:5-6,23 (63 AD)
5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.
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23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
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They did it in their generation.
There is a COST to be a part of such a movement that will reach “every creature under heaven” – one we’ll need to pay just like our brothers and sisters in the 1st century.
1Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
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Again – you see the overseeing evangelist figure giving instruction and influencing this church to take a collection (just like the instruction he gave the Galatian churches) and send it to Jerusalem.
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
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23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God
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This is the point of this unity – people will be getting the needs met and their souls saved by these gifts given by the churches.
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Shared sacrifices for God’s Glory. More and more souls giving thanks to our God through our shared sacrifices…
Why be a movement?
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By being a unified and centrally led movement - We pool and then share resources. We only have two - Money. People. Just like they did. We do it now.
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LA planting: Eugene, Portland – pooled money and human resources. Because of that - 1st year over 101 baptisms, and 60 Restorations. Where there is working together and a unified leadership – the job gets done.
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LA’s and personal sacrifices
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In March 2007 The Portland Church was to give the LA Mission Team $150,000 for the Missions Contribution. It was promised that for two years after our leaving the Portland Church would continue to support the McKeans for their retirement of $1,500 per month and health insurance of $800 per month. In September 2007 after LA Kip encouraged the Johnsons to keep $20,000 of the $150,000 owed to LA, to no longer pay for their health insurance, because LA will take it over (even though it greatly burdened this baby church planting), and no longer pay for the McKeans retirement. To this day the McKeans receive no money from LA, Portland or anywhere. This was done so Portland could afford to hire Buzz and Anita Banadyga.
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When the leadership makes personal sacrifices for God’s Glory, so do the people. Already – where there is a centralized leadership in LA – they have been able to send out TWO church plantings (NYC and Honolulu) – some 30 disciples total sent out.
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As well as sending Melina Zapeda to Chile and paying the Sullivans full time salary in Chile – 3,500 a month.
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When there is a Unified Brotherhood with a Unified Dream – God is glorified as souls are won and thanks given by them!
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Santiago Planting: Phoenix & LA → Bonded together to officially plant Santiago. Grace and Steve Droblas of Phoenix → Going with Melina of LA to Santiago. Don’t think that infusion of expertise and talent is not going to encourage Santiago. Not just LA – pooling the resources. Is it a HIT to Phoenix. Is it going to weaken things? Sure. A little gyration but for many souls’ salvation. First week there went from 5 studies to 19 studies.
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Kinshasa: Eugene worked with Portland and LA to send Tim there to pull the remnant together. Eugene is supporting Kinshasa alongside London this year. Now they are planning on planting another church in West Africa. Went from 20 to 80.
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DC Planting: Coming out of Syracuse → 16 from there. People are being provided by Eugene. #2 – Couple is Chuck and Elizabeth Hess. They led the Corvallis/Salem group. This was a big hit for Eugene. Eugene also sent missions money to support their move. Chicago is adding more missions money to support this planting. Pooling our resources with PEOPLE and MONEY. There is a cranking church there and everyone there is doing awesome.
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NYC Planting: Most people coming out of LA. Eugene sacrificing the Millers from Corvallis – Dustin and Amanda. Sacrificing money to move them. Another couple dear to the church – when they moved to LA to train, their sister Tanesha followed them. She was baptized in Hollywood and now is in NYC with them preaching the gospel. Monies from Eugene and LA pooled to move people.
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Hawaii Planting: We are giving up the 8 here. Eugene gave David Rydstedt. Seems like a cool guy. Where did Kyle and Joan come from? Hilo! Took a shot in the mouth. Hilo is only 20 members. Their faith is a little low. Reel in shepherding couple. Money was raised in Honolulu, and 7,000 came from the Hilo church. Why Honolulu church is going to CRANK.
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Nairobi: If it were not for 9 churches in our family of churches supporting UpSideDown21 financially every month – USD21 would not exist. Eugene supports me in the Internet Ministry – all but ONE website in our family of churches is on systems I administer as a cyberevangelist. In addition to that – USD21 has become a center of unity and clarity – many souls have been saved and the remnant gathered because of God’s use of that website. Hundreds have been impacted because of that ministry. Nairobi – brother joined our movement from a denominational church. Studied the site. Realized the truth. Baptized he and his wife. Baptized whomever in his congregation willing to repent and be true disciples. Baptized 11 people in the congregation he was the overseeing minister for in Tanzania – and runs a shelter for widows and orphans. Lost his job as a denominational minister over the truth. Why did this happen? Churches pooling resources and working together.
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Who knows what is to come through the five year plan. And then the next 5-10 years? Who knows where you will be and where the Lord will send you to live your life as a living sacrifice.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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As a disciple, I was baptized into a movement.
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Jesus’ dream was that his disciples would reach all nations. This one dream was there because God Almighty who was in Jesus as Jesus was in him – had it from the very beginning.
#1 The Movement: A Bible Church
#2 The Movement: Unified Brotherhood, Unified Dream
#3 The Movement: Shared Sacrifices For God’s Glory
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The movement – we will pool our resources of PEOPLE and MONEY and we will live out the dream that Isaiah saw coming that began in Jerusalem, in the last days to every one – to every nation.
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The movement shares a common vision from a common leadership that is realizing the prophecy of Daniel - a mountain that would fill the earth, that will be great among the nations.
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And we follow the Rock that is Jesus – pledging our lives to his great cause, to seek and save the lost – everywhere, in every word – we will share with all who have not heard and among the nations there will be a movement that is changing eternity.
