Answers for Church Members

What common errors do churches make when thinking about music?

9Marks

What style of music is best?

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Massive battles have been fought over this issue. Churches have split. Pastors have been fired. Countless Christians have taken up arms against each other in order to defend their answer to this question.

Yet at the end of the day, the style of music a church sings is relatively unimportant. What matters most is what we sing, not how.

That said, at least four further points can be made:

Who should lead the church musically?

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Leading the church through singing and playing music is a kind of diaconal service, whether or not the people in the position have been formally affirmed as deacons. It’s diaconal in that musicians employ their common grace skills in order to serve the church for larger spiritual ends. Such a ministry is analogous, one could say, to the situation in Acts 6, in which several men were chosen to “wait on tables” in order to serve the larger purpose of unity in the church (see Acts 6:1-6).

How important is the style of music a church sings?

9Marks

The style of music a church sings is relatively unimportant.

Which is better in church gatherings: pre-written or spontaneous prayers?

9Marks

Some people prefer pre-written prayers, because it gives them the opportunity to carefully think through how they want to lead the congregation. Other people worry that pre-written prayers will “quench” whatever the Spirit might do in the moment. Here are several thoughts on the prayers for which you have the opportunity to plan:

What are some guidelines for leading a church in prayer?

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Use “we,” not “I.” You’re praying on behalf of everyone in the room, not just yourself.

Can women be pastors or elders?

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In order to answer this hotly contested question we need to make sure a few biblical pieces are in place.

Should churches that don’t baptize infants have “infant dedications”?

9Marks

We would discourage it. Infant dedications have no Scriptural warrant. God nowhere commands Christians to have a public ceremony in which they dedicate their infants to him, nor is there any hint of such a practice in the New Testament.

Plus, there’s the danger that young Christians will interpret the event almost mystically, as if the child receives some type of special “coverage” or “force field” upon dedication.

Is it important to use the titles “elder” and “deacon”?

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While the titles “elder” and “deacon” are not essential to the church’s ministry, there are several good reasons why churches should use these biblical titles:

Does the whole idea of church “services” contradict the fact that the church is “a people,” not an event?

9Marks

We don’t think so…

What are the qualifications for a deacon?

9Marks

In 1 Timothy 3:8-12 Paul lays out the qualifications for a deacon:

What are the biblical responsibilities of a deacon?

9Marks

According to the New Testament, deacons are to provide material and logistical support to the church.

What should I look for when considering who to nominate as an elder?

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The most important thing to look for in a potential elder is whether or not he meets the biblical qualifications.

What are common misconceptions about who should be an elder?

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A biblical elder is not simply an older male. Life experience alone is no guarantee that a man meets the biblical qualifications for an elder (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Tit. 1:6-9).

What is a church elder?

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The Basics: An elder is a man who (i) meets the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, (ii) is recognized by his congregation as an elder, (iii) and leads the congregation by teaching the Word (1 Tim. 3:2), praying for the sheep (Jas. 5:14), and overseeing the affairs of the church (1 Pet. 5:2).
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