God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

congregation. An elder should be a person whose ministry is one the five "ascension gift ministries." 1 Timothy 3:1; 5:1, 17; Titus 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17; 28-30. The governing body of elders (ministers) in a local church is called a presbytery. Since one elder is a presbyter, a presbytery would refer to two or more presbyters or elders working together. 1 Timothy 4:14. When a visiting team of ministers come to visit a local church for prophetic ministry, they too constitute a presbytery; they would, of course, work in conjunction with the presbytery already established in that church. The basic meaning of the original word is "'servant" or "one who serves or waits on others." This is actually an advanced ministry of helps (1 Corinthians 12:28) designed to help the pastor and elders better perform their ministries. Attending to the poor, taking charge of the temporal needs of the local church, etc., are very vital tasks that must be done by responsible people. 1 Timothy 3:8; Acts 6:1-7; Romans 16:1, 2. 14. DOES A WOMAN HAVE A MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH? In the Church, there is neither male nor female. Christ, who is the Head, anoints whom He will to operate the ministries in His Church. Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 4:10, 11. 15. DID NOT PAUL FORBID WOMEN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH? In keeping with the customs of that day, the women were not to be talkative or unruly in the services. That the women did prophesy or teach is evident from Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11:5 where he lays down rules to 206 12. WHAT IS A PRESBYTERY? 13. THE MINISTRY OF THE DEACON DEACONESS.