*Handout B

Metaphors for An Ecclesiology of Church Leadership

By Steve Hobson, D.Min. from Rethinking the Church: Its Leadership and Mission.
THE KINGDOM of GOD and the PEOPLE OF GOD are overarching concepts spanning OT and NT.
Christ is now head over everything for the church (Mt 12:28; 16:18-19; Luke 12:32; Eph 1:11-14, 19b-23).
THE CHURCH - is the called out people of God since Pentecost, portrayed in six core metaphors of the NT.
Yet amazingly the church finds its existence in the plan of God prior even to creation:
For He [God] chose us in Him [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His
sight. (Eph 1:4) Our names have been written in the Book of Life from the creation of the world
(by inference from Rev 13:8 NAS; 17:8).
The church is one of Gods wondrous mysteries made known to us in these last days!
1. The church is a HOUSEHOLD...........................................The Household of God
A people gathered together by God's love
. . . nurturing each other into maturity.
a. God is the Father, the patriarch over His clan.
b. Church leaders are elders in the family - extending God's care to His people. As a
team of leaders they help nurture believers and stimulate mutual care for
healthy maturing of the family of God.
c. Healthy believers mature & contribute in the process of spiritual reproduction,
leading others to the new birth.
2. The church as a HOLY NATION .......................................The Holy Nation of God
A people galvanized under God's command
. . .moving together into enemy territory.
a. God is the King, the Lord over His nation.
b. Church leaders are ambassadors of the King - extending Gods leadership to His
people.
c. Leaders cast the vision of Gods Kingdom reign extending to all peoples, prepare
believers to overcome spiritual opposition, and teach them to move out into the
world pursuing gospel proclamation and redemptive service.
3. The church as a BODY.......................................................The Body of Christ
A people united in a vital community
. . . together ministering grace to each other.
a. Christ is the Head, the Head of His Body.
b. Certain church leaders are equippers of the saints - who serve among the people
teaching, counseling, training, guiding individuals to personal wholeness and
preparation to serve in the church.
c. Some members of the body emphasize ministry that extends to the world to witness
to Christs truth and love and start new churches.
4. The church as a BRIDE......................................................The Bride of Christ
A people betrothed in loving faithfulness
. . . seeking Christ in all things.
a. Christ is the Bridegroom, the Husband to His bride.
b. Church leaders are friends of the Bridegroom - extending Christ's love to His
people, drawing them to Him. They help believers stay faithful to Christ,
as they deepen in love and purity awaiting His return.
c. Love filled believers invite others to the wedding supper of the Lamb!

5. The church as a BUILDING................................................The Temple of the Holy Spirit

A people in which God dwells
. . . obeying the truth and worshipping God.
a. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, the Foundation of His temple.
b. Church leaders are pillars in the temple - bringing Christ's truth to His people
through modeling and teaching. They help believers see the greatness of God,
live holy, and worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
c. Acting as priests to the nations, Gods people draw others to Him and thus the
temple grows.
6. The church as a VINEYARD..............................................The Vineyard of the Holy Spirit
A people dependent on the Holy Spirit
. . . learning to bear spiritual fruit.
a. Christ is the True Vine, the Father is the Gardener.
b. Church leaders are assistants to the Gardener - extending the Father's cultivation
(care and pruning) to His people. They encourage believers to live by faith,
abiding in Christ and the Holy Spirits power.
c. Believers bear more and more fruit (of character and ministry) to God's glory.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the
rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in
Christ Jesus our Lord. (Paul in Ephesians 3:10-11)

CHURCH LEADERS are called to strike a balance between relational ministry and task achievement as they
cast vision, pointing to the churchs God-given calling. Leaders seek first the kingdom of God (Mt 6:33 - vision)
and His righteousness among the community of Gods people (relationship), while reaching the world with the
gospel of Christ (task). In the ecclesiology developed from the core metaphors above, leaders are called . . .
Relationship Emphasis

Task Emphasis

1. Elders in the Family

2. Ambassadors of the King
nurturing God's people
leading God's people
toward maturity.
into battle.
..............................................................................................................
3. Friends of the Bridegroom
4. Equippers of the Saints
loving God's people
preparing God's people
toward faithfulness.
for ministry.
...............................................................................................................
5. Pillars in the Temple
6. Assistants to the Gardener
guiding Gods people
pruning Gods people
into holy worship.
for fruit bearing.
Leaders are called by God to function under His authority as a means to His ends. Whether they be Paul or
Apollos, doesnt matter in the final analysis. God gives growth. Their position or office does not in the end matter.
Unless leaders abide in Christ and trust God, their ministry is fruitless. Thus leaders are to see themselves first as
church members - first as children of God (members of the household) then elders; first as loyal citizens of heaven
then ambassadors; first as part of the Bride, then friends of bridegroom, etc. They must willingly submit to Gods
authority before they can exercise it.

Leaders must aim for biblical growth in the church - both in Christ-likeness (1 Cor 2:6; Col 1:28-29) with
faith hope & love; and in helping a maturing church to gain Christs heart and servant zeal for the lost and the
worlds needs (Mt 9:35-38; I Thes 1:2-10; Col 1:6). These are all parts of the Gods mission for His church. To
accomplish this leaders must trust in and emphasize the power of Gods presence in the church instead of technique
and method. The faithful leader, like Paul, renounces manipulative technique and mans wisdom (2 Cor 4:1-17), at
the same time utilizing wisdom gained from his observations of people (1 Cor 9:19-23).
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power
that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen. (Paul in Eph 3:20,21)

Conclusion
The churchs sense of identity is a critical issue for her faithfulness to her Lord, for her spiritual health in
the midst of a sickening world, and for her impact on that world. It is a concern that finds vivid and disturbing
expression in the final pages of Scripture when Jesus writes personal letters to the churches of Asia minor (Rev
2,3). Jesus states Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline (Rev 3:19). These churches were facing not only
struggles with false doctrine and persecution, but also with second generation Christianity and its symptoms of
institutionalization. Christ challenges the churches warped sense of identity (self image) behind their attitudes and
actions. Affirming their strengths He pointed to areas of weakness they seemed blind to. One was believing its
reputation for being alive but it was dead. Another was saying I am rich! but in fact was wretched, pitiful,
poor, blind and naked. Each church needed to see anew the standard Christ sets out for His church (the height
from which you have fallen) and to pursue attitudes and actions related to their true identity as His people, the
church.
Interestingly, Christ appeals to them in terms of several of the core metaphors. They are rebuked as a
betrothed bride for forsaking their first love (Ephesus). They are challenged as good soldiers fighting Satan for
their holy nation to be faithful, even to the point of death (Smyrna, Pergamum). They are exhorted as members of
Gods household not to tolerate the rival household of Jezebel and her children (Thyatira). They are admonished
as a body with the reputation of being alive, yet in actuality dead & blind and naked, to wake up! Strengthen
what remains and is about to die, and buy clothes to wear & salve to put on your eyes (Sardis, Laodicea). And
they are encouraged as a spiritual temple for each person to individually pursue faithfulness with the reward of
becoming pillars in Gods ultimate heavenly temple (Philadelphia).
The study of the metaphors of the church may indeed prove helpful to her maturing, the development of her
leaders, and the accomplishment of her mission. It is hoped that these biblical reflections might be one small step in
that direction.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with Gods people. Amen (John in Rev 22:21)