Covenant with Our Lord and One Another
Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by faith, and having publicly confessed Him by baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we freely and joyfully recognize the covenant our Heavenly Father has established for us with Himself through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves by the grace of God working in us, to walk together according to the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ (I John 1:3).
We commit ourselves to maintain family and private worship, to rear our children in the nature and Spirit of the Lord, to seek the salvation of all members of our own families and of our acquaintances, and to strive for maturity in ourselves and in our fellow Christians.
We commit ourselves to follow Christian principles of morality in our daily living; to be ethical in our dealings and faithful in our commitments; to promote the unity of fellowship by proper attitudes and careful speech; and to be zealous in our efforts toward the advancement of the Kingdom of God here and throughout the world.
We commit ourselves to respect the leadership of the Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Small Group Leaders and Directors and to encourage them in their efforts to give spiritual oversight and guidance.
We commit ourselves to come under the oversight of a Small Group and to be as faithful as possible in attendance, so that we may have fellowship and oversight in our Christian growth. We will seek to know our Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Small Group Leaders and Directors, respecting and supporting them in every way possible.
The men set in delegated authority in this church commit themselves to uphold the principles found in Titus 1:5-9 and I Timothy 3:1-14 and to show love, care and respect to all the members of this Body.
Our Goal: Maturity in Christ
Paul said in Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (NKJ)
The Example of Christ
There is only one ministry in the church which is essential and of perpetual, eternal value. It is the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. When truth is preached, it is Jesus who is working through the preacher. When teachers open the Word of God with enlightenment, it is our Lord Jesus at work through them. All healings, deliverances, conversions to Jesus Christ, comforts, judgments, directives and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are Jesus at work in and through the members of the Body. All ministries in the church depend upon and are derived from the life of the Risen, Living, Lord Jesus Christ.
God the Father "gave Him (Jesus) to be the Head over all the things to the church" (Ephesians 1:22). If Jesus is present in His people, the church exists. If He is not, the church does not exist or function regardless of what men may form and call a "church". The greatest title a member may receive in the church is SERVANT.
Luke 22:27
27 "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
(NKJ)
In Mark 10:42-45 Jesus rejected the standards of the world which defined greatness for leadership. He made the servant role the true Christian mark of greatness.
The apostle Paul understood the Lord's principle of servant-leader which he elaborated on in Philippians 2:1-8 when he said,
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
(NKJ)
The Servant Quality of Ministry Leaders
Actually, each Christian is a minister. The five-fold ministries mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 were given as gift ministries to the church, "for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry". A pastor is a gift ministry to the church, a work brought about by the Holy Spirit. Yet, we are all called to minister the Word of God to others.
I Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
(NKJ)
One of the responsibilities of the pastors and the other ministries called "five-fold ministries" by some and listed in Ephesians 4:11-15 is to guide each committed member in the local body of believers into mature Christian ministry. This is not mentioned to the neglect of leading the lost to Jesus Christ. The greatest title a believer coming into recognized ministry can receive is not "Father" or "teacher" or "master" but SERVANT. In Matthew 23:8-12 our Lord Jesus Christ said,
8 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
9 "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11 "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
(NKJ)
Raising Up Anointed Leaders
Servant-leaders are raised up in the church by the Holy Spirit to occupy various ministries and perform a number of different functions. The numerous ministries and gifts coming through the Holy Spirit are given to the church as gifts with the intention of allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to work in one and all to bring forth one body.
I Corinthians 12:13-14
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jew or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
(NKJ)
Leaders are raised up into various ministries by the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 13:2 who said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them". The prophets and teachers in the church (Acts 13:1) "fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them" sending them forth as the Holy Spirit had directed. They were able to recognize what the Holy Spirit had done.
In Titus 1:5 Paul makes it clear he had left Titus in Crete to "set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every city as I have appointed you." In Acts 14:23 we understand that Paul and Barnabas were the ones who recognized the men on whom the Holy Spirit moved to raise up into eldership:
Acts 14:23
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
(NKJ)
However, in I Timothy 5:22, Paul cautioned Timothy to "lay hands suddenly on no man". He stated in I Timothy 3:6 that a man raised to the office of a bishop (episkopos), "overseer" or "superintendent", should not be a novice. (That is a new believer not mature in the faith and not confirmed for leadership by the Holy Spirit.)
The responsibility of raising up dedicated Christian leadership rested in the hands of men "of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom". They were men who knew the mind and will of Christ as a corporate body of men. According to the Word, they would be:
I Timothy 3:2-4
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
(NKJ)
Servant-Leader Positions at Southland Church
1. SENIOR PASTOR: The Senior Pastor shall be a mature man meeting the conditions of Titus 1:5-9 and I Timothy 3:1-7. He shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the church, preside over the elders meetings and prayerfully seek direction for the church. The primary function of the Senior Pastor is to see that all the flock under his oversight receives proper care. He shall submit his leadership directives to the Elders for confirmation from the Holy Spirit. He shall be a man of vision. He shall preach and teach the Word of God and give administrative oversight to all other ministries in the body. He shall give oversight to men "called to preach" to see that opportunities are given to them to practice and learn. In addition to being Pastor, he shall be recognized as Presiding Elder. The general direction of the church shall be the Pastor's responsibility and shall represent the policies given by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by the eldership to the church. The Pastor shall communicate to the other pastors and elders the direction he feels led to lead the church so that they can pray and fast, seeking confirmation that the pastor's vision has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. It shall be the responsibility of the Senior Pastor to make regular contact and maintain a healthy relationship with his apostolic oversight.
The Apostolic oversight for Southland Church consists of the Church Foundational Network apostolic team for this area. Its current members are L.A. Joiner, Mike Hobbs, Eddie Taylor, Chuck Hall, Dell Young, and Doug Griner. Overseeing their efforts is Ken Sumrall, overseer of the CFN network of churches. The apostolic team is set up to give oversight in church planting efforts, general assistance to churches who desire such, and any other local church or world missions efforts. (Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 4:11-12) We acknowledge the Biblical concept of apostolic oversight for the local church and its interdependent relationship with the local pastor.
2. ASSOCIATE PASTOR: The Associate Pastors shall be mature men and women who meet the conditions of Titus 1:5-9 and I Timothy 3:1-7. They shall work under the administrative oversight of the Senior Pastor. They shall assume responsibilities as defined and agreed upon in the job description at the time the Pastors and Elders confirm the relationship between the Associate Pastor and the Church.
3. APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, TEACHERS: Ephesians 4:11-16 explains God's plan for the development and maturing of the church through what we call the "Five-Fold Ministry". These five offices of the ministry are ministry gifts given by God to the church to bring it to a place of maturity. A person operating in one of these offices who wishes to become a member of the church shall follow the same procedure for membership as other members.
4. ELDERS: Elders shall be mature men raised up into eldership by the Holy Spirit. It is the responsibility of the Senior Pastor to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit and then raise these men up into this office. They shall meet the conditions of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Elders are to be men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom who are raised up by the Holy Spirit to help the Senior Pastor and staff pastors oversee the members of the local church. The Eldership shall be formed by the Senior Pastor and other elders so designated who are members of Southland Church.
Actually, the terms bishop (episkopos) and elder (prebuteros), although different in origin, interchange in the New Testament. "Episkopos" is Greek in origin and has no exact equivalent in English. The literal meaning is "overseer". The term "prebuteros", meaning "elder" is Hebrew in background.
There is an interchange between "overseer" or "bishop" and "elder" in Acts 20:17, 28. Paul sent for the elders (prebuteros) of the church at Ephesus (v. 17) and admonished them as believers to "take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over that which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers (episkopos), to feed (shepherd) the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). The same interchange for elder and overseer occurs in Titus 1:5, 7.
There is enough evidence to understand that elders were raised up by the Holy Spirit, recognized as to their office by one or more of the five-fold ministries of the church (Ephesians 4) and functioned in various areas of responsibility in the local church.
The elders, under the covering of apostolic oversight, constitute the overseeing body of delegated authority for the local church. They serve in a "plurality" (that is, more than one in number) of eldership. Yet, they do not hold co-equal authority with the Senior Pastor. They assume various responsibilities to see that no one in the local body of believers is neglected.
5. DEACONS: Shall be mature people who meet the conditions outlined in I Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons are selected for the purpose of assisting the Pastors and Elders in ministry to the needs of the church members (Acts 6:2-6). Areas of responsibility shall be defined by the Pastors and Elders for each Deacon as he is raised up into his respective area of responsibility.
OTHER MINISTRIES: Other ministries not listed in this Order of Faith and Practice may be formed from time to time by the Holy Spirit. It shall be the responsibility of the Pastors and Elders to recognize such ministries and define their function.
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT: Southland Church voluntarily submits regularly to audits originated outside the congregation in order to maintain accountability and integrity in financial matters.
Code of Discipline
DISCIPLINE OF A CHURCH MEMBER: Discipline of a church member for immorality, heresy or causing division shall be conducted according to Matthew 18:15-17 and I Corinthians 5:1-13. The Senior Pastor, Elder or Small Group Leader shall talk to the member privately, calling him to repentance. If the member persists in his error or sin, a second meeting shall be held with the Senior Pastor and at least one other church leader with witnesses to the offense present. This group also calls the alleged offending member to repentance seeking restoration. If the member fails to respond to this meeting, the church may be notified of the offense and encouraged to assist in the process of restoration by encouraging repentance in the member. If no change is observed, the member shall be given 30 days to seek genuine repentance from the Lord. If no change is evident after 30 days in his attitude and behavior, he shall be notified that his name has been removed from the church roll. (Note: The Elders make it clear that they can only remove a person's name from the church rolls and ask him not to return to the church meetings. Our Lord Jesus Christ personally maintains the "Book of Life" and He alone blots out of it.) (Revelation 3:5) Restoration of the member must always be the main thrust of discipline.
DISCIPLINE OF A CHURCH EMPLOYEE: (Excluding Pastors): Discipline of a church employee will be conducted in the following manner: The Senior Pastor and overseeing Elder will personally consult with the employee to encourage correct attitudes and behavior. If the employee is under the supervision of another employee who is management, all consultations shall be directed through the manager in charge. The Pastors and Elders in session will prayerfully determine what to do if the employee refuses to correct his attitude and behavior.
DISCIPLINE OF A SMALL GROUP LEADER: Discipline of a Small Group Leader shall be conducted in the following manner: The Senior Pastor, Small Group Overseer and Elder(s) will personally talk with him if there is evidence of immorality, heresy or a divisive spirit. If the Small Group Leader does not seek to correct his behavior and attitude, the Pastors and Elders shall work with the Small Group Overseer to prayerfully seek the Lord concerning appropriate action.
The Small Group Leader who is found to have a rebellious, unruly child shall give evidence to the Pastors and Elders that he understands the meaning of I Timothy 3:4-5 & 3:12; Titus 1:6 and Ephesians 6:4. The Small Group Leader who is found to be making every effort to honor and practice those Scriptures shall not suffer discipline even though his child continues to rebel. The Pastors and Elders shall enter into a time of prayer and fasting for the child with faith he will repent and honor God and his parents.
DISCIPLINE OF A DEACON: Discipline of a Deacon will be conducted in the following manner: The Senior Pastor or appointed Elder(s) will personally talk with him if there is evidence of immorality, heresy or a divisive spirit. If the Deacon does not seek to correct his behavior and attitude, the Pastors and Elders shall work with the Deacon to prayerfully seek the Lord concerning appropriate action.
The Deacon who is found to have a rebellious, unruly child shall give evidence to the Pastors and Elders that he understands the meaning of I Timothy 3:4-5 & 3:12; Titus 1:6 and Ephesians 6:4. The Deacon who is found to be making every effort to honor and practice those Scriptures shall not suffer discipline even though his child continues to rebel. The Pastors and Elders shall enter into a time of prayer and fasting for the child with faith he will repent and honor God and his parents.
The Deacon shall "dwell with his spouse according to knowledge, giving honor unto her as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that their prayers be not hindered" (I Peter 3:7). Deaconesses are expected to give honor and respect to their husbands as the Biblical authority in the home.
DISCIPLINE OF AN ELDER: Discipline of an Elder for immorality, heresy or a divisive spirit will be conducted in the following manner: The Elders shall talk with the Pastor and the people bringing the charges to determine if they feel the charges against the Elder are warranted. The Pastors and other Elders will talk to the Elder in question, encouraging an attitude of repentance in him. If the Elder in question does not show signs of repentance by correcting his behavior, the Pastors and Elders shall give him 30 days to seek true repentance in his closet with the Lord. During that time, the Elder shall cease to function in all his church duties. If the Pastors and Elders do not feel that proper changes in behavior and attitude are evident in the Elder after the 30 day period, he shall be expected to resign.
The Elder who is found to have a rebellious, unruly child shall give evidence to the Pastors and Elders that he understands the meaning of I Timothy 3:4-5 & 3:12; Titus 1:6 and Ephesians 6:4. The Elder who is found to be making every effort to honor and practice those Scriptures shall not suffer discipline even though his child continues to rebel. The Pastors and Elders shall enter into a time of prayer and fasting for the child with faith he will repent and honor God and his parents.
The Elder shall "dwell with his spouse according to knowledge, giving honor unto her as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that their prayers be not hindered" (I Peter 3:7).
DISCIPLINE OF A SENIOR PASTOR: Discipline of a Senior Pastor for immorality, heresy or a divisive spirit shall be conducted in the following manner: The Elders shall talk with the Pastor and the one or ones bringing the charges to determine if they feel the charges against the Pastor are warranted. If they are, the Elders, with apostolic oversight from the presbytery, shall seek to help the Senior Pastor be reconciled to the Lord and the Church through prayer, repentance, advice and encouragement. The Apostolic Team and Elders shall determine if the Pastor needs to step down from his pastoral duties until all charges are dealt with.
If the Senior Pastor fails to respond with a repentant attitude, the Elders shall invite their Apostolic oversight to meet with them and their Senior Pastor. If their Senior Pastor is also their Apostolic oversight a presbytery may be formed of ministers actively serving in the five-fold ministry who have been chosen unanimously by the local Elders. The Apostolic oversight for this ministry is L.A. Joiner and the apostolic team.
The presbytery shall hear both from the Senior Pastor and those bringing charges against him, before any decision is made. The Elders shall follow the advice and decision of the presbytery. If the presbytery decides the charges are unwarranted, the Senior Pastor shall be restored in full fellowship and with all of his former responsibilities.
If the presbytery rules against the Senior Pastor, the presbytery shall give him 30 days to pray, seek the Lord and correct his behavior and attitude with repentance. During that time he shall cease to function in pastoral duties.
Should the Senior Pastor fail to repent, a second session of the presbytery shall be called. He shall be disciplined according to the recommendation of the presbytery. The Senior Pastor's relationship with the church shall then be terminated in a gentle and prayerful manner, seeing that proper provision is made for his family during a reasonable transition period. Travel expenses for the presbytery shall be paid from the church treasury.
The Senior Pastor who is found to have a rebellious, unruly child shall give evidence to the Pastors and Elders that he understands the meaning of I Timothy 3:4-5 & 3:12; Titus 1:6 and Ephesians 6:4. The Senior Pastor who is found to be making every effort to honor and practice those Scriptures shall not suffer discipline even though his child continues to rebel. The Pastors and Elders shall enter into a time of prayer and fasting for the child with faith that he will repent and honor God and his parents. The Senior Pastor shall "dwell with his wife according to knowledge, giving honor unto her as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that (his) prayers be not hindered" (I Peter 3:7).
DISCIPLINE OF OTHER MINISTRIES IN THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES OF EPHESIANS 4:
It shall be conducted in the same manner as that of the Senior Pastor.
DISCIPLINE OF OTHER WORKERS IN THE CHURCH: The individual (Elder, Pastor, Small Group Leader, or Deacon) who oversees the ministry of a worker will personally talk with the worker to encourage repentance to correct unchristian behavior and attitudes. If discipline is necessary the leader shall show every consideration to the person receiving discipline, and submit the proposed discipline to the Pastors and Elders for final approval.
Charges or Criticisms Against Leaders and Members
Criticism against any Pastor, other servant-leader in the five-fold ministries, Elder, Deacon, Small Group Leader or Church member shall be received according to the guidelines set in Deuteronomy 19:15-20 & I Timothy 5:19 & 20.
The charges and/or criticisms are to be made in the presence of the pastors and/or elders. The person being criticized shall be present to hear the charges brought against him. If the charges are proven to be false, and the person bringing the criticism is found to have a divisive spirit, the one with the divisive spirit shall be disciplined according to the guidelines in this material which are commensurate with his position in the church.
If the charges are found to be true, procedure for discipline of that person shall follow the guidelines in this material which are commensurate with his position in the church.
How We Fill a Pastoral Position
When a Senior Pastor is present in the church, he shall seek a person to serve as his Associate Pastor who meets the conditions of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. When he has found the person he prayerfully feels meets the need represented by the vacant office, he shall call the Elders into session for prayer and fasting concerning the matter. If the Holy Spirit confirms in the thinking of the Senior Pastor and Elders that the person under consideration is appointed by the Lord to that position, he or she shall be acknowledged as the person filling the vacant position with all the honor and respect due the office.
When the office of Senior Pastor becomes vacant, the Elders shall convene a presbytery with the apostle over the church. The Presbytery shall proceed to locate the person the Holy Spirit indicates is to be the Senior Pastor for the church. When they find the person who meets the requirements of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 whom they feel is mature and capable of assuming the full administrative oversight of the church, the Elders shall then invite the prospective Pastor to visit the church and teach the members. During the visit, the Elders shall prayerfully seek the leadership of the Holy Spirit to observe how well the prospective Pastor and the members relate together.
The Presbytery shall then meet together again to seek the mind of Christ on the matter. If no sound evidence is found to discredit the recommendation of the Presbytery and if the Elders feel they have received a confirmation of the Holy Spirit regarding the candidate, the prospective pastor shall be recognized as the Senior Pastor of the Church, receiving all the honor and respect due the office.
