Church Government
Introduction
Radiant Church is committed to building a biblical foundation for church government. Spiritual life is produced when church government and theological correctness are combined with biblical preaching that proclaims the authority of God’s Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We believe the principles of church government are universal and the scriptural formula for oversight and governance of the local church is relevant in every culture.
Issues of Concern and Practice
Radiant practices an Elder form of government at Radiant. Although there are other important leadership positions for instruction and ministry, it is the Elder board that has the responsibility to provide visionary direction and spiritual covering for the ministries of the church.
There are three basic functions of Elders:
To lead the church by governing the church's vision and establishing policies that provide philosophical boundaries for church life.
To uphold the biblical standards of behavior among church members. This includes enforcing church discipline for factious behavior, unrepentant sin, and doctrinal error.
To individually demonstrate a model for ministry and godly living to the people as they lead the church.
Radiant Church believes that church policies and philosophies for ministry are best decided when the entire Elder team meets together and discusses, debates, and prays. Elder meetings are held regularly and include discussions about policy decisions that affect the congregation as a whole. While the Senior Pastor is the visionary leader of the Elders and is given special respectful consideration, all the Elders have equality relating to input and decision making. Until there is unanimity on an issue, no decision is finalized or acted upon. As the church grows and new ministries are established, the Elders ensure that the ministry remains consistent with the vision of the church and that the methods of ministry remain consistent with our principles for ministry.
Major Points
The office of Elder is a governmental office with spiritual responsibilities and rewards. We believe that one day Jesus will review each Elder’s stewardship. Faithful, willing, and sacrificial service to the flock of God will result in a heavenly reward. Elders should set the standard in every area of life. While perfection is not possible, an Elder should take his position seriously and strive to uphold the character qualifications necessary for this office in the church.
The first elders were appointed by Pastor Lee Cummings at the beginning of Radiant Church’s launch. Since then, others have been added to the board of Elders by the unanimous decision of the existing Elder board. Careful consideration is given when choosing an Elder. The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are used to determine a man’s ability to minister in the capacity of Elder. Radiant Church will only appoint spiritually mature men who are known within the congregation and have served faithfully in the ministries of the church for a season of time. A man must also be gifted governmentally, which is reflected through the following qualities.
The Elder candidate should:
Enjoy overseeing the church and desire the office of Elder.
Have the disposition of a servant and have a distinct love for people.
Have an enthusiasm for every ministry of the church and not have a strong bias towards particular areas.
Understand and respect the authority structure of the church.
Be able to make decisions and maintain his resolve even in intense and sometimes critical opposition.
Be filled with faith for the future and not be overwhelmed by the size of God's vision for the church.
Support and be able and willing to defend the Eldership publicly and privately.
The Elder role and scope of service:
Radiant Church believes the Senior Pastor should be the visionary leader of the Eldership and should set the vision for the church and the agenda for each Elders meeting.
Radiant Church has Elders who are serving as staff of the church and Elders who are not a part of the church staff. While the ratio of staff Elders and non-staff Elders may vary, Radiant Church desires to maintain a balance of both.
The Elders are given the responsibility to approve the annual budget.
Radiant Church maintains that Elders are men only and should serve as the head of the church just as men should serve as the head of the home.
The Elders make decisions after extensive discussion and prayer and with complete unanimity. Debate is common and differing opinions are welcomed. Each Elder makes every effort to operate in unity with one another.
If the Elders of Radiant Church reach an impasse with a decision, the Elders will appeal to the Apostolic Elders of Radiant, for help in resolving the impasse.
The existing Elders have the authority to appoint new Elders as deemed necessary. When new Elders are appointed, the congregation will be notified.
Elders are appointed for a term of 5 years and may serve in an ongoing capacity. The terms are revisited to provide the Elder to off-ramp due to personal reasons that make it difficult to continue serving.
Other reasons Elders may no longer serve are as follows:
They resign for personal reasons.
They are disqualified by sin or a failure to meet the biblical standards of the office.
They leave Radiant Church.
Scriptural References
Elders
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Lee Cummings
Founding Senior Pastor
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Tom Darby
Elder
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Paul Orley
Elder
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Ben Karrer
Elder
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Joel McDermott
Elder
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Rick Burmeister
Elder
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Caleb Culver
Elder
Church Discipline
Radiant Church also believes a primary responsibility of leadership is to model and maintain a standard of biblical behavior in the local church. We believe the Lord has given the Elders the responsibility to provide spiritual oversight for those who join the church. His command in 1 Peter 5:1 to “shepherd the flock of God” is something we take seriously. Although we do not believe God has given the Elders absolute responsibility or authority in an individual’s life, we believe there are three specific areas in which we are responsible to give spiritual oversight. Because we believe we are responsible before God to provide this spiritual oversight, we will confront our members on their behavior in these areas. If the situation is not subsequently resolved in a satisfactory fashion, a formal process of church discipline will be initiated. The areas of spiritual oversight are as follows:
Open and blatant sin
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1 Corinthians 5:1–2
Issues involving doctrinal error
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
2 Peter 2:1–3
Divisive and contentious behavior within the congregation
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.
Titus 3:9–11
Every effort will be made to meet with the member involved with these issues. We desire to help our members grow to maturity through compassionate mentoring. The biblical model of confrontation and correction is not meant to punish people but rather to protect the Body of Christ from the wages of unrepentant sin. Biblical authority is not a license to exert control; it is a responsibility to exert influence for God’s will to be accomplished.
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15–17
Our approach to confronting a member of the church involves the following steps:
Begins with personal confrontation
Expands to committee confrontation
Broadens to group confrontation
Ends in removal of membership privileges
In confronting sin, we must remember that:
The purpose is redemption.
The attitude is humility.
The result is accountability
Conclusion
Biblical government is designed to represent heaven accurately and attack hell successfully. The governmental DNA of the church is produced by pure biblical standards that have not been distorted or damaged by negative influences. The local church is the hope of the world, and the hope of the local church is biblical government that operates under the blessing and favor of God.
The Role of the Apostolic Council of Radiant Church
The role of the apostolic council is both spiritual and relational. It is spiritual in the sense that it is for the benefit and accountable covering of the local church's work. It is relational in the sense that it is recognized by the Pastor and affirmed by the elders of the congregation as God established.
The duties of an Apostolic Elder are:
To give objective input on major issues affecting the church.
To arbitrate disputes within the leadership and between the congregation and leadership that can’t be internally resolved.
To give perspective to the significant life issues of the church.
To service as a support resource and give counsel to the Senior Pastor as he provides leadership to the Elders as they govern the church.
The duties of an Apostolic Elder are fulfilled by:
Giving prayerful thought and input on issues before the church as requested.
Giving strategic input to the church when asked by the Senior Pastor.
Participating in one Retreat/Meeting a year initiated by the Senior Pastor.
Resolving a dispute that can’t be resolved within the elder body or between the Radiant elders and congregation at the request of the Senior Pastor or an individual elder.
Relating to the elder body of Radiant Church as a godly voice of wisdom and counsel.
Providing a stable, present, guiding influence during pastoral loss or crisis.
The duties of an Apostolic Elder do not extend into the organization unless invited by the senior pastor.
Appointment of an Apostolic Elder:
Identified and nominated by the Senior Pastor based on relationship to him and the church.
Ratified by the Elders.
Term of service is indefinite and at the discretion of the Apostolic Elder and the Senior Pastor.
The position of Apostolic Elder is a relational position that reflects commitment to the Senior Pastor primarily but includes relationship with the Elders and church.
Regular communication between the Apostolic Elder and the Senior Pastor are vital to the health of Radiant Church.
An annual briefing of the health and growth of Radiant Church as well as a copy of the annual financial/organizational audit will be sent to the Apostolic Elder.
Radiant Church Apostolic Elders
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Loren Covarrubias
Apostolic Elder
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Jimmy Evans
Apostolic Elder