Essay Sample on the Ecclesial Leadership Models and Structures Present in the Early Church

Introduction

As we think about the leadership in the church, we usually project our current experience on the leadership role from the scripture. Like Paul encourages elders to be willing of being a shepherd in the flock of God. With the humility and the fare of God, and knowing that our ward is wearing of us in our heavenly rewards that await those who shepherd the faithfully as seen in the book of (1st Peter 5:1-11)

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We tend to speak of our own experiences with the Bible routinely. Not to be beginning with first-century philosophies and applying those belief to the twenty-first century.

Apostolic Oversight

As Peter disappeared, the leadership mantle passed onto James, the Lord's brother. At that time James arose to take over the leader of the elder in Jerusalem church. As recorded in Jerusalem council in Acts 15:13, where James assumes the authority and make his pronouncement to the question about grace versus following laws.

Leadership Roles

In the books of "1st Timothy 3:1-3 and Titus 1:5-6," it describes the overseer in a hospitable leader that has his domestic affairs in order. As Paul said, that the overseer should be in good reputation with strangers (1st Timothy 3:7), he may be imagining the church leaders that held in high esteem in their local society. If a leader has a bad image in its town, this can hinder the rate of evangelistic outreach. (Kessler, V., & Kretzschmar, L. 2015). In the side of the Pastoral Epistles, we see leaders that are supposed to show more example as a godly, orderly household in the society (1st Timothy 2:4, 3:15 and in Titus 3:8).

Women in the Church Leadership

Paul with the other New Testament writers establishes the role for women in the New Testament church. One-fourth of Paul's co-workers are approximately women. I mentioned in the Colossians, and Lydia, in Acts the total is the total twelve women that Paul named naturally are Euodia, Lydia, Mary, Nympha, Euodia, Persis, Priscilla, Syntyche, Tryphosa and Tryphena (Sanchez, R. J. M. O. 2016). This seven of women were instrumental to the movement of the church in Rome are the following women, "Priscilla (Romans 16: 3)", "Mary (Romans 16:6)," "Junias (Romans 16:7)," Persis, Tryphena and Tryphosa, "(Romans 16:12) and Julia (Romans 16:15)."

From the impression of Luke's and Paul's viewpoint, was that women play an important part in the God's ministers and the leadership of the church. Paul was one that treated both men and women with equal dignity and value for their contribution to the ministry of the gospel. (Meyer, A. N. 2017).As Paul wish to break the gap that existed in the ethnic group and the gender classes, as he wants to see that the church can create unity among men and women.

Including Leaders in the Church Structure

In 1corinthians 16:15-16 Paul speaking to the Corinthians, "you identify that the family of Stephan. As we are the first adapts in Achaia, and they need to devote themselves to the work of the saints. He urges them saying, members to submit to those then to anyone that links the Gods effort and to labor for it. The challenge Paul gives the people of Corinthians is to present to Stephan as and to others that work hard for the church. And Stephan's provides his house to all the believers as he provides care for the group.

Flexible and Reproducible

We do not see the formal structure in the New Testament as we are known today. The spiritual gift that flowed among the members of the house of God, that equip and develop the saints to continue to grow from home to house.

Reference

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