TODAY'S SERMON NOTES:
1 TIMOTHY 3:15 NIV (Paul said) If I am
delayed, YOU WILL KNOW HOW people OUGHT TO
CONDUCT themselves in GOD’S HOUSEHOLD,
which is THE CHURCH of the
living God, the pillar and FOUNDATION of the
TRUTH.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT:
CHURCH GOVERNMENT is THE
SYSTEM
by which DECISIONS ARE MADE in
a church;
a description of WHERE
AUTHORITY RESIDES.
PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT:
The PURPOSE of GOVERNMENT is
to LOVE
and SERVE the PEOPLE
WELL.
UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY:
- AUTHORITY requires a SINGULAR HEAD
- The AUTHORITY that is given is
ANSWERABLE to the one WHO PLACES him/her in that position of
AUTHORITY
LIFEPOINTE GOVERNANCE:
- LED/RULED by a PASTOR, DIRECTOR & CAPTAIN
system
- PROTECTED by a BOARD of ELDER-MINISTERS (civil
authority)
- REVIEWED by ACCOUNTANTS
CIVIL AUTHORITY
STRUCTURE:
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Pastor
Bishops
(Directors)
Deacons
(Captains)
Saints/Disciples
(Members)
QUESTIONS WE WILL ANSWER:
- What does the Board of Directors do? Who serves on our
Board of Directors?
- What is the governing-authority structure for the
finances of the church? Do we operate with a church budget? How are
budgets decided?
- Who sets the pastor’s salary? Who sets the staff
salaries? Do we have a methodology for setting
salaries?
- Does LifePointe prepare for economic downturns with
adequate reserves?
- What is the status of our capital campaign funds, as
well as our plans for acquiring a new campus?
- Why do we not have full disclosure of church finances,
including all spending decisions, to the church
membership?
- What happens if the pastor gets into
error?
- What are the succession plans if something happens to
Pastor Patrick?
HOW TO APPLY:
- PRAY for your church leaders
- PRACTICE trust in God’s ultimate
authority
- PROTECT the culture of the church
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10 NLT (Paul said) I appeal
to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to LIVE IN HARMONY with each other.
Let there be NO DIVISIONS in the
CHURCH. Rather, be of ONE MIND,
UNITED in THOUGHT and
PURPOSE.