Christ never intended church leadership to be earned by seniority, purchased with money, or inherited through family ties. Instead, it is absolutely essential that the local church adhere unfalteringly to biblical shepherding principles, perceiving itself as an institution for the glory of God.
Drawing from some of his best-received material on church leadership, Dr. MacArthur guides the church with crucial, effective lessons in leadership. This book is valuable not only for pastors and elders, but for anyone else who wants the church to be what God requires of her.
PART 2: The Dynamic Church
5. The Pattern of the Early Church
6. Elders, Deacons, and Other Church Members
7. A Look at the Thessalonian Model
8. Marks of an Effective Church
9. The Calling of the Church
10. The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way
PART 3: Qualities of an Excellent Servant
11. Understanding the Seducing Spirit
12. Understanding the Duties of the Ministry
13. Shepherding the Flock of God
APPENDIXES
1. Answering the Key Questions about Elders
What Is the Proper Understanding of the Term Elder?
How Is the Term Elder Used in Reference to the Church?
What Is the Relationship of the Elder to the Bishop and the Pastor?
What Is the Role of an Elder?
What Are the Qualifications of an Elder?
Can Women Serve as Elders?
How Are We to Ordain Elders?
Should the Church Support Elders Financially?
Is the Pastorate a Team Effort?
Does Government by Elders Eliminate the Role of a Special Leader?
What Is the Elder’s Relationship to the Congregation?
2. Answering the Key Questions about Deacons
How Does the New Testament Use the Word Deacon?
What Kind of Service Does the Greek Word for “Deacon” Imply?
Does the New Testament Speak about the Office of a Deacon?
Does the New Testament Specify Any Individual as a Deacon?
Doesn’t Acts 6 Talk about Deacons?
If the Men in Acts 6:5 Weren’t Deacons, Who Were They?
Is There Any Scripture Passage That Refers to Deacons in the Official Sense?
What Qualifies a Man to Be a Deacon?
What Does the Bible Say about Deaconesses?
What Is the Difference between Elders and Deacons?
3. Qualifications for Spiritual Leadership
“Above Reproach”—He Is a Man of Unquestionable Character
“The Husband of One Wife”—He Is Sexually Pure
“Temperate”—He Is Not Given to Excess
“Prudent”—He Is Self-Disciplined
“Respectable”—He Is Well Organized
“Hospitable”—He Loves Strangers
“Able to Teach”—He Is Skilled in Teaching
“Not Addicted to Wine”—He Is Not a Drinker
“Not … Pugnacious”—He Is Not a Fighter
“Gentle”—He Easily Pardons Human Failure
“Peaceable”—He Is Not Quarrelsome
“Free from the Love of Money”—He Is Not Covetous
“One Who Manages His Own Household Well”—He Maintains a Godly Family
“Not a New Convert”—He Is a Mature Christian
“A Good Reputation with Those Outside the Church”—He Is Well Respected by Non-Christians
4. Elements of Church Discipline
The Place of Discipline
The Purpose of Discipline
The Person of Discipline
The Provocation of Discipline
The Process of Discipline
The Power of Discipline
5. Restoring a Sinning Brother or Sister
Pick Up the Believer
Hold Up the Believer
Build Them Up
6. Should Fallen Leaders Be Restored?
7. The Danger of False Teaching
Reminding True Leaders
Avoiding False Teaching
8. Why I Still Preach the Bible
A Visit with Dr. Feinberg
Trying to Be Relevant
The Challenge and Call to Preach the Word
Ten Reasons to Preach the Word of God
9. Why Personal Integrity Is Crucial for the Church
10. Why I Love the Church
The Lord Himself Is Building the Church
The Church Is the Outworking of an Eternal Plan
The Church Is the Most Precious Reality on Earth
The Church Is an Earthly Expression of Heaven
11. Why Doctrine Is Practical Building on the Truth
Living by the Truth
Departing from the Truth
Hearing the Truth
INDEXES
Scripture Index
Subject Index
320 pp. Softcover.