Summary of Elders Meeting on Ministry Finances

Transcription

1 Summary of Elders Meeting on Ministry Finances Here is what we concluded last time we met: * Based on the sum of God's word we agreed to the following: It is expedient that we have one central place to collect money from those who want to joyfully support the ministry. Bobby From Trinidad, and Larry from South Africa both stated that it is possible for them to send money from their country to a money bag in the USA, when there are those who want to joyfully give. These brothers also agreed to let us know if anyone in their local fellowship needed financial support, and we will find a way to meet the need. It may become expedient at some time in the future to have another place to collect money. The example given was if we gained a number of brothers in France, and there were enough elders and reliable men to appoint over the business of collecting and managing the money. We would still stay in contact as one body and send gives back and forth as needed. See acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 16:3 We agreed that we need to be obedient to the following verses: Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Nominations were taken and the following people were selected to oversee the ministry finances: Allan Roberts, Aaron Lohman, David Turnbull, Mitch Kuhn, Larry Groenewand, Bettie Rogers, and Georgie Taylor (pending her accepting the position) These brothers and sisters will meet together and come up with a plan to collect and organize the money and then report back to everyone that was invited to the meeting. Once we have agreed upon how to manage this business we will send out a letter to those in our fellowship with our collective discernment. The men and women appointed over this business will find out the needs of the ministers and poor among us, and help ensure that people receiving money are stewarding it properly. 1

2 The money will be distributed after decisions have been made from a multitude of counselors. Others outside of those appointed over this business may be called upon as needed. ** We have come to see that we did not handle Acts 6 properly at our last meeting as Robin pointed out. Deacons are appointed by the multitude of disciples, not the apostles. Act 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: The objective of this was to keep the 12 apostles from being burdened with serving tables. Therefore, the apostles should not be doing the job of the deacons. However, that does not mean that teachers and evangelists cannot be deacons. Look at Philip: Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Act 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? Act 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 2

3 Act 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. Stephen: Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. He gives a bold witness in chapter 7 and then this happens: Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Act 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. When alleviate the apostles from serving tables, the word of God increases and the fellowship grows. Act 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. How to properly choose deacons: 3

4 1. We need to determine who are the multitude of disciples. The multitude of disciples are those who are considered to be "disciples indeed" according to the scriptures. Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Luk 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Act 9:26 NKJV And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. Act 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. There will be a separate meeting to determine disciples indeed. Mitch, David, and Mike will prepare a study to go out with the list of people to consider for disciples indeed. 2. We should gather the multitude of disciples indeed together and charge them to search out among themselves the men that have been prepared and equipped by God to be deacons. Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. A study on deacons needs to be prepared on deacons before we charge the disciples with selecting deacons. Invite everyone to the study. 3. Here are the qualifications for deacons, which are similar to that of elders. 1Ti 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 4

5 1Ti 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 1Ti 3:10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 1Ti 3:11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 1Ti 3:12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1Ti 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 4. The elders and apostles should discuss the people chosen by the disciples, and determine if they should lay hands on them or not. There are many examples of the Apostles and Elders working together in Acts 15. Act 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Clearing up a few points of concern: First, let's clear up a few points of concern that have been raised by a number of brothers. Setting up central places to give will not prevent people from giving directly to others as is currently taking place. Someone can give a gift directly to a minister, (Matt 26:6-13), however the deacons appointed over this business need to be aware of it. The primary purpose for central places to give, is to help the joy of others who want to support the body and ministry in general and want someone else to steward those resources. If people are going to give to one another, they need to know who they can contact to find out if the recipient is genuinely in need, and if a gift is the proper thing to do for this person. This is to help their joy and to give access to wise counsel, it is not a requirement. Outline of how to handle money: 1. There needs to be accountability for anyone receiving money for laboring in the ministry. (Jesus had a treasurer, Judas). We need to 5

6 know how much is coming in, not necessarily who gives it. (John 13:29). 2. There needs to be more than one deacon managing the finances. We can look at the physical world and see that there are almost always multiple people who handle the money, checks and balances. It can cause suspicion and give off an appearance of evil if only one person handles the money coming in. 3. If giving to the poor, we need to know what assistance they are already receiving (the body, government assistance, etc.) A deacon needs to assess their situation and determine if anything needs to change in their financial management or work habits. (2 Thess 3:10, Luke 16:11). This does not prohibit someone from giving directly to the poor, the giver just needs to be taught these principles and have access to the deacons to assist as needed. 4. There needs to be a study on the proper understanding of "not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing" (Matt 6:3). It is about not boasting about what we give. Deacons have to have knowledge of what is going on financially, so they can make wise decisions. It is not required to report every gift you give to another brother to a deacon, but they are there to help. Ministers of the gospel need to tell the deacons how much money is coming in and there needs to be records kept of the money that comes in. This information will only be available the deacons and a few elders. Mat 6:1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Mat 6:2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Mat 6:3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Mat 6:4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 5. If people receiving assistance have an issue in discussing their finances, this should be a red flag. Some people need to be taught how to budget and manage money. 6

7 6. We need to define what is a local church. Boundaries that were in the 1st century Churches are different than they are now. Due to technology we are now able act as one local Church over a much larger geographical area. Other considerations come into play such as country boundaries, currency exchange penalties, times zones, etc. 7. We need to recognize when God has equipped and prepared men to be deacons before we try to select anyone. See Exodus 35 regarding skilled craftsman. We can start by setting this up in the US and letting others contribute to that bag as needed. We can set up deacons and a money bag in other countries when the needs arise. 8. There is a progression in the way money is handled in the scriptures for ministry, at first there is no bag (Luke 10:4, then there is a treasurer (John 13:29), deacons (Acts 6). The model we use is determined by the number of people the Lord moves to support the ministry and the poor, and having qualified people in those regions to handle the money. Christ said not go house to house. Christ expected the disciples to be provided for by those they were teaching. 9. There needs to be a central place for people to give (both for wages and the poor), because many people see that many of us labor as one. (1 Cor 3:8). This is not one place for the global body of Christ, rather it needs to be localized where it makes sense. For example, one for the US, Canada, and U.K, other countries like South Africa can set up their own when needed. I have personal experience with people who currently want to and are giving to the ministry in general, not to a specific person. We are one body and need to be working as one in our local churches, just like the NT Churches. There will be times that gifts/wages will go directly to a minister from the giver, and there will be a time that it is sent to the deacons to distribute. Either way, we always want to consider the whole body. If a minister gets a large gift and does not need all of the money for his own needs, he will naturally give gifts to others or give it to the deacons for distribution. 10. The deacons need to have consistent communications and regular meetings with each other and the elders. These meetings will be to discuss any needs in the fellowship, and then to determine how to distribute the funds. Records will be kept of all monies sent and 7

8 received, however a giver can be anonymous is requested. 11. Deacons need to have the ability to take up a collection when there are not sufficient funds to meet the needs. As an example, possible upgrade to our website technology. 12. Once deacons are selected, they will determine suggested procedures for taking up a collection, and other logistical issues. For example: PayPal, bank account, etc. We agreed upon the following changes to how we handle money: 1. Any money or gifts given to ministers will be disclosed to the deacons. 2. There will be a central back located in the USA where money for the poor and wages for the ministers can be sent. (This does not prohibit direct giving to the poor or ministers.) 3. We will appoint deacons to oversee the money bag ** The timeline for implementation will depend on how quickly the Lord causes us to get through the following to do list. To do: 1. Finished study series on elders, bishops, deacons and disciples. The whole fellowship will be invited. 2. Schedule a meeting to determine who are the disciples indeed. The meeting will be November 17th at 12 Est. We will also consider any other comments on the topics discussed during our elders meeting between now and this meeting. 3. Write to the disciples indeed and teach them about the process of selecting deacons in Acts 6 and the qualifications for deacons. Charge them with this task. 4. The apostles and elders will consider the deacons nominations and determine if hands should be laid on these men. 5. Deacons will prepare a document summarizing the procedures for gathering and distributing money. There will be a meeting to present this to the apostles and elders. If all is agreed upon, then everything will be implemented. 8

9 6. Teach all disciples about finances including, wages for ministers, caring for the poor, and personal financial stewardship. We will also announce the location and procedures regarding the central bag at this time. 9