ASSEMBLY ORGANIZATION

The assembly is the body of Christ. It is an organism not an organization. But, an organism, like our body, is organized. So how does God want His body to be organized? This is the question! In the early assembly every member had a work to do, a ministry to perform. In order for the body of Christ to function as the Lord wants and expects it to function, we must call all believers to ministry. Christian service is not limited to or reserved for a select few.

MEMBERSHIP:
Membership in an organization is different from membership in an organism. The members of an organization are independent of each other. They may attend the meetings or not, they may give or not, and they may take part in activities or not. While in an organism, like our body, each part is connected to all the others, no one is independent. Our eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouth are all connected to each other and serve one another. If one part does not work the whole body is handicapped.

In Romans 12:4,5, Paul states, "For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Every person who becomes a follower of Christ is given a function to perform within the body of Christ. Each has a job to do, a work to accomplish, and when that work is not accomplished the whole assembly suffers. These various functions are listed in Romans 12:6-8. Each Christian is given one of these gifts to use as God directs. God's will is that each of us offer our bodies as a living sacrifice in service to one another. Christ came to serve, therefore we must organize the assembly in such a way that all members are following Christ's example in serving one another. This can be done, but not with the current organization in today's churches.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS:
The early assemblies met in the members homes. Since most homes were small we can assume they met in a number of small groups during the week and then on the first day of the week they met together for worship, preaching, and the Lord's Supper. Experience has shown that this continues to be the best way today. Through small groups meeting in homes the members are nurtured, equipped to serve, and where they use their spiritual gifts to build each other up to become like Christ. Some assemblies use the term "fellowship group" to name the small groups while others use other names for them. The name is not as important as the principle that small groups is the best way to be accountable to each other and to help one another. The following organization is not one set in concrete, but it is most important that Christ is the head of the assembly and that all members are using their spiritual gift in service for others.

The purpose of the fellowship group is to develop mature Christians. In the groups we study the Bible but it is not a Bible study. We worship together but it is not a worship service. We pray for each other but it is not a prayer service. We socialize but it is not a social gathering. It is all of these and more for here we get to know one another in an intimate way so we can encourage one another to become like Christ. The fellowship group exists to provide:

* Protection:
Christians need protection. We must never pull each other down but encourage one another.
        " Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today;" lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end." Hebrews 3:12-14.

* Fellowship:
We need fellowship with others who believe in Christ and are following Him.
        "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:3-7.

        "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:24-27.

* Food:
Just as it is important to feed our physical body, it is even more important to feed our spiritual life. Jesus said,
        "Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him." John 6:27. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35.

* Training:
Children do not learn to walk and feed themselves without training. Likewise new Christians need training in the ways of God. Paul wrote,
        "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8,9.

        "The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2.

LEADERS IN THE ASSEMBLY:
* Christ:
Jesus the Anointed One has been given all authority. He is the head of the body. He is the boss, the chief of the assembly. Care must be taken that His authority is not removed in an organization structure. It is very easy for the assembly leaders to follow their own will or that of others but not the will of God. The result is that the authority that belongs to Christ is taken from Him. We must obey Christ and check with Him for every decision we make.

* Elders:
The Bible speaks of elders, overseers, and shepherds in the local assemblies. These terms name the same position within the assembly. (See Titus 1:5,7; and Acts 20:28) The word "elder" refers to the maturity of the leader, "overseer" refers to the position of being a steward overseeing the work, and "shepherd" refers to feeding, protecting, and caring for the flock. They are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the membership.

The elders oversee the fellowship groups and are responsible for the oversight of the assembly. They do not boss the assembly but are servants who lead the assembly with a God given vision to "turn the world upside down." They do not determine which spiritual gift each member receives for that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Nor do they assign the ministry each member performs for it is the work of Christ, to make these assignments.

Men who desire to be elders must first serve as a leader of a fellowship group. They must complete studies in being an elder, take the Principles of Counseling course published by the Advance Training Institute of America, be acquainted with the Health Care bulletins published by IBLP, and be acquainted with the principles and problems of home schooling to qualify them to be shepherds of the flock. They must be students of the Bible, able to teach Biblical principles, and be men of fervent prayer. These men must meet the qualifications for elders listed in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

As elders are trained and the assembly grows, those elders who labor in word and doctrine will be assigned as fill time workers of the assembly. They will form a "ministry team" to oversee the daily work of the assembly. (See 1 Timothy 5:17)

* Ministers of Mercy:
[Deacons, Servants] Because of the misuse and misunderstanding of the term "deacon" and because calling these workers "servants" in today's society would also cause misunderstanding the term "minister of mercy" is being used. These men must meet the qualifications for deacons as listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-12, and serve under the leadership of the elders.

Ministers of Mercy are responsible for the social work of the assembly. They help the poor, the jobless, the sick, the widowed, the elderly, the homeless, the shut-ins, the refugees, and the disabled. They visit people in their homes, relieve suffering, comfort, protect and encourage people, and help them in their needs. They are the servants of Christ meeting the needs of people in and out of the assembly.

Their training will depend upon their area of ministry. All ministers must know and practice the policies of the assembly, and know the responsibilities of the other ministers and the elders. Those ministers dealing with financial matters will be acquainted with and use the "Financial Freedom" seminar produced by IBLP and the career choices materials published by Christian Financial Concepts, Inc. Those in health care will be acquainted with the health care bulletins produced by the Medical Training Institute of America. Those working in "Public School Released Time" will be associated with The National Association for Released Time Christian Education. Each minister will be trained for his field of endeavor.

* Fellowship Group Leader:
Each fellowship group is led by a trained man who prepares the topic for discussion, oversees the weekly meetings, and trains an intern leader. Before being chosen to be an intern leader he must show spiritual maturity, be active in his fellowship group, be under the authority of the elders, know and accept the policies of the assembly, and be willing to be taught and accept correction.

A fellowship group is not allowed to become larger than ten or twelve members, at which time it is split and the intern becomes the leader of the new group. Each member is urged to bring one or two new people to their group for each cycle. A cycle is the time from the beginning of a new group to when it splits.

New fellowship group leaders are trained by working with an established leader as an intern. Much of what he will learn will be through experience as he works in his fellowship group.

Due to the difference in concept of an assembly made up of small groups and the common concept of church organization taught in the Bible Colleges and Seminaries, all men from such backgrounds must first be reeducated before they become a leader in the local assembly.

Now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 14:24-26

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Revised June 2000
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