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Study 13 of 18

Departments and Officers of the Church

The elders' role in supporting deacons, clerk, treasurer, and departments

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Chapter 5 surveys the officers and departmental ministries the elder supports and guides. It begins with administration: deacons and deaconesses (whose caring ministry traces to Acts 6), the church clerk (chosen for reliability, keeping the membership roll, board minutes, and conference reports), and the treasurer (receiving, counting, receipting, and disbursing funds, with financial records kept strictly confidential). It then turns to departmental ministries — Children's Ministries, Communications, and the rest — noting that the elder shares responsibility for ensuring the spiritual quality of these programs. The chapter stresses that all funds are processed through the treasurer's records, that no names are added or removed from church records except by proper vote, and that the elder, next to the pastor, is the chief authority in the church — but in the spirit of servant leadership.

Key points

  • Deacons and deaconesses carry caring, serving ministry rooted in Acts 6.
  • The clerk keeps the membership roll, minutes, and conference reports accurately.
  • The treasurer receives and disburses funds; financial records are confidential.
  • All funds go through the treasurer's records; no money is handled off-book.
  • The elder, next to the pastor, is chief authority — but as a servant leader.

Key texts

  • Acts 6:1-7
  • Acts 9:36-39
  • Romans 16:1-2
  • 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
  • 1 Peter 5:2-3
  1. Comprehension

    1. How does the handbook trace the office of deacon to the New Testament?

  2. Comprehension

    2. What does the church clerk do, and on what basis is the clerk chosen?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. What is the treasurer's duty regarding confidentiality?

  4. Scripture

    4. Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. How does this text apply to the treasurer's work?

  5. Comprehension

    5. What rule does the handbook give about adding or removing names from church records?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. Why does the handbook say all funds must be processed through the treasurer's records?

  7. Scripture

    7. Read 1 Peter 5:2-3. How does this shape the elder's authority over these officers?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast a church where departmental ministries are spiritually supervised with one where they run on autopilot.

  9. Application

    9. How would you support a new clerk or treasurer who feels overwhelmed by the responsibility?

  10. Application

    10. Name one department in your church that needs the elder's closer spiritual attention this quarter.