Thanks to all those who have submitted questions so far. This week’s episode looks into a couple common situations, specifically, struggles within the church community, and discerning who is fit to lead the church. If you would like to learn more about these answers, or have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

To check out last episode’s questions click here, and for Jim’s foreword on answering these questions click here.

QUESTION 1.

I DON’T FEEL AT HOME AT CHURCH DESPITE TRYING TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THIS CHURCH ISN’T RIGHT FOR ME?

First of all, I am very sorry that you are feeling this way. “Community” has many intangible and subjective aspects that we attach to it, from certain positive expectations to negative experiences we don’t want. These are not unreasonable—most of the time. But we need to consider multiple aspects.

Also, for the purpose of getting to the heart of the matter, I am going to assume that our legitimacy as a church is not in question here, especially in terms of biblical criteria. So, I’m going to treat this as a question of “how to choose a local home-church amongst several/many sound options”.

Well, of course it is reasonable to want to feel “at home” at church. I would imagine wanting spiritual fulfillment, emotional connection, great vision, exciting programs, good friends, fun times, help in times of need and want, ministry training, adequate facility, serving opportunities, and the list can go on and on and on…. But there are two questions to attach to these experiential longings.

What are my priorities among many wants from a “home church”? Since I can’t possibly “have it all” on this side of eternity, what are more important than others?
What is my role or contribution in equipping our church with “that”, or see to it that the experience I long for is present at this church? Or, do I expect all these things to be handed to me on a platter exactly as I expect it?

Another thing is that church, like own lives, go through seasons of changes. People and various church components (building, programs, etc.) come and go; God providentially gives and takes them away. So, then how do I navigate through these changes? Do I shop and change around, or do I stay put in one place? How do I manage my faith journey over the years?

While changing from one local church to another is not necessarily sinful in itself, one must consider all the thinking and heart and characters issues associated with the decision—especially because it invariably involved other people and relationships, or the lack thereof. We must recognize our complicity in the lack of fulfillment—so this issue does not go on unaddressed.

These days “lack of community” is that one all-purpose expression to describe general discontent. But generality does not get to the heart of the matter. We must address specific issues, whats and whys. And if Christians are to function as God intended through the crucible of the church, we must learn to stay in the pocket and work things out.

At the end of the day, unlike our biological family, a local church is nothing without mutual commitment to one another. As long as “it” is a thing outside us, we will judge and be critical towards it, and our sinfulness will grow tire of it. But if one has committed as a member, then that commitment should be more than a token gesture. That membership commitment made before God should internalize church as your very own to love, cherish and nurture. It is not some church out there, but it is yours.

Church is not a place to keep you happy. It is a place to do life with you as you pursue Christ, to worship with you, to walk alongside you, and you alongside others, through thick and thin of this life.

QUESTION 2.

HOW DOES OUR CHURCH DETERMINE WHO IS FIT TO BE A LEADER OR ELDER?

A couple of years ago, specifically from December 2017 and until February 2019, while we were nominating, training and ordaining/electing elders, HCC has had many messages on what the Bible has to say about elders and their qualifications. During that time we also went over the history and distinctives of a Presbyterian denomination.

The key passages come from [1Timothy 3] and [Titus 1], but there are many other relevant passages [1Peter 5:2-3, 5; Heb.13:17, Titus 2:1; 3:1; 1Tim.5:17-20; etc.]

All these verses speak to characteristics and qualities of Christian leaders. But what separates elders from deacons is their ability to teach. Elders must be able to teach the Word of God.

But also, at our church/denomination/tradition, we make a distinction between Ruling Elders (laity) and Teaching Elders. In a way, to label “teaching” elders is a bit redundant. But these are those that you’d typically know as pastors. And because the main difference is the amount of professional attention required in teaching, the pastors are most often required to be trained through a reputable theological seminary with degrees of Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and above.

If you have ever wondered about topics such as these, are curious about the how’s and why’s of Christianity or have any other questions in general ask Pastor Jim anything here.