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Church Administration - Bible Study and Research Series

Over 250 pages of Bible studies, articles, tables and research on the administrative structure, issues and solutions for your free download! Further articles will be added in due course. Please be aware and respectful and don't plagiarise.

Church Structure

Synagogue and Church: Comparative Structures

The structure and offices of the Church of God has fascinated me since my calling. This article demonstrates the similarity between the first century Church and Synagogue's structure and role of the various offices.

Are Ministers Priests or Elders? Questions and Answers

Are New Testament elders sort of priests? What does the Bible say and what did the Church of God teach? Are some continuing old errors eschewed by the leadership of the Church of God years ago?

So, what does a Deacon do?

Do deacons and deaconesses do hall setup, manage the kitchen at Sabbath services and open the doors for services? Or can those jobs be given to anyone (including the youth). If so, what are deacons actually meant to do? This article reveals that it has more to do with helping the underpriveleged and gathering forces to assist the brethren.

A Short Bible Study Note on Youth and their Elders in the Church

What should the youth be doing in the Church? Should they be advanced above and before people who have been around for decades? What do the Scriptures reveal? Or should we go PC/Woke?

Church Reforms

Herbert W Armstrong and the Reform of Church Governance

The style of church governance or administration changed or morphed over time in the Radio/Worldwide Church of God. By the late 1950s into the early 1960s the style was in excess of the Biblical model and had to be reigned in and moderated. This article makes clear that Mr Armstrong attempted to modify what was going on, but the implementation of his wishes was not completely successful due to the lack of change management implementation techniques. It should be acknowledged that he never used the old articles on church government from the 1950s and 1960s again and there is no evidence he wanted the Church to revert to that type of governance. Yet some persist in an extreme form of administering corporate churches or congregations, based on Mr Armstrong’s supposed stances. This is not being genuine or true to his instructions, the historical facts or records. These sorts have been able to get away with their behaviours – they knew that Mr Armstrong struggled with his eyesight and hearing in the 1980s and found abusive situations reported to him difficult to handle; they knew that if they ‘struck first’ they would normally win with him or the hierarchy; and they knew that there was no ‘court’ system in the church to investigate matters in a neutral and fair manner. As such they could get away with abuse. And by ignoring and hiding Mr Armstrong’s attempts at governance reform, they perpetuated governance behaviours that contradicted Scripture.

What is Justice? The Biblical Requirement for Impartial Judiciaries in the Church

Justice needs to be defined and understood given that it is a MAJOR topic/theme found throughout the Scriptures. And to find or reach a just decision and outcome, what are the processes? Or is justice a decision made behind your back and enforced or you are bullied into accepting? What does the Bible say? This is a rather obvious and simple topic, but some deliberately defy the Scriptures and the Church's policies causing horrendous offence and loss of membership.

Proposal: Implementation of Church of God Impartial Investigation Panels; and Impartial Judiciaries

This proposal outlines an initiative to establish impartial investigation panels and independent judiciaries within Churches of God organisations, based directly from the Biblical principles articulated in What is Justice?. The paper emphasises that justice requires more than the holy spirit—it demands safeguards against bias, partiality, and abuse, as commanded in Scripture

The Real Meaning of ICorinthians 6:1-11

This Bible study explores the real interpretation of 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, emphasising Paul's rebuke of Corinthian believers for resolving internal disputes in secular courts. Drawing on historical context, the author argues that early Christian communities, modelled after first century synagogue structure, incorporated impartial judicial systems (bet din) for civil matters which is essential for righteous Biblical governance. The study critiques modern abuses in Churches--such as bias, slander, and perjury--highlighting the absence of neutral panels and courts, which forces members to secular recourse despite Paul's ideal of internal arbitration by "wise" saints destined to judge the world and angels.

Strategy for Church of God Co-operation

This paper expands upon the article below. A basic project plan that can be used as a template to assist in formulating plans to bring about co-operation and friendship (not necessarily full mergers).

Outline of Strategy for Church of God Co-operation

The various Churches of God are not growing. They are fragmented and not coming together or co-operating in some way to undertake a large End-Time Work. Is there a way that they can work together? Is there a strategy that can be used to this end?

Ethics and Behaviours

What is Inspiration?

Both members and ministers often talk about how God inspires them. Are we inspired of God and if so how? Some foolishly place themselves on the same level as the Patriarchs, Prophets, a King David and such like, not understanding what inspiration really is. This article explains it.

What are Wolves in Sheep's Clothing?

Wolves in sheep’s clothing indicates deception: nice to those they wish to be nice toward; vicious and tearing at those they are jealous of or who they feel empowered to persecute. Power tripping and taking on authority way beyond what the Bible grants or their organisation’s leadership teaches, permits their wolf instincts to show their fangs. Their fruits are there for all to see. They operate in packs, combining to bring down their prey - targeting those they are against.

The Korah Rebellion: A Real Life Warning

The Korah rebellion in Numbers 16 is like a flashing warning sign for church ministers. In principle, of course, this tragic lesson can apply to anyone – but it is chiefly aimed at ministers disloyal to their overarching leaders. It’s a story about pride, ambition, and going against God’s plan, showing what happens when ministers lose sight of their real job: serving others humbly. Let’s dive into what Korah did and why it’s a lesson for ministers today.

Ministerial Requirements - A Summary

Following on from various other papers, it was thought that a little discussion from a Church of God perspective on Ministerial requirements. The bookshelves in Christian bookstores and online stores make many books on the subject available to study. Let alone the innumerable scholarly papers and numerous articles online.

A Genuine Minister with the Heart of a Shepherd? Or Fudging it?

A false elder can creep in unawares, deceiving the brethren, undermining Church doctrine, abusing some, lying, trying to be independent of the Church that has employed him and scattering the flock. A false minister can be a wolf, hireling, thief or serpent. Anyone can be. But how do you spot such a one? By comparing them to a shepherd and by viewing their terrible fruits.

Do Ministers sit on Moses Seat?

Some secretly teach that ministers sit on Moses Seat? But do they and what did/does the Church of God teach? What exactly is the seat of Moses anyhow?

Miscellaneous

The Meaning of Ecclesiastes 5:1 (Bible Study Note)

Does the Scripture refer to sermons?

Was Peter the Leading Apostle?

There would have been a leader among the early Apostles. Was it Peter or John? It is a difficult one to come to some sort of conclusion, but try we must.

Matthew 16:19. Commentaries and Parallel Translations

Excerpts from Commentaries and various Bible translations in an attempt to understand this verse.