How Jesus Runs the Church (February 2025 at First OPC)
In a pastor’s library, it is rare to find a book with a really memorable title. Every so often, though, a Christian book comes out with a truly memorable title, and (in very rare cases) an outstanding cover design.
In my bookshelves, one of these rare titles is How Jesus Runs the Church by Guy Prentiss Waters. The arresting title is matched with a bright red cover, cleverly designed to make a point. The title is a scrawl of black marker over an original printed title, How to Run the Church.
If we are honest, that is how we tend to think of the church and its ministry, as if it were a human organization operated according to human expertise. The black marker scrawl shows the need to revise our thinking according to scriptural teaching. The Church belongs to Jesus, and he is the one running it. The part that we have to play in the church’s ministry is spelled out in his instructions in the Bible. From this opening insight, Dr. Waters goes on to show that Jesus’s way of running the Church is expressed in the Presbyterian ministry, in which ministers, elders, and deacons partner to lead the church locally and regionally.
My main reason for mentioning this book is that Dr. Waters will be at our church this weekend. On Sunday, he will teach in our Adult Sunday School class, and then he will preach at our morning and evening worship services. Everyone is invited to join us!
On Saturday, he will teach at our presbytery’s men’s conference, focusing on themes related to this book (there’s still time to sign up). A major goal of this event is to share a vision for church leadership in the offices of elder and deacon. In all of our churches, I think it is fair to say, there is a major need for more of these leaders. That need can only be filled when Christian men grow in spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, godly character, and a sincere desire to serve Christ in one of these offices. Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit will work to produce these qualities in the lives of many men, to provide our churches with elders and deacons.
The central insight of Dr. Waters’ book, that Jesus is the one who runs the Church, has a wider application. There is a supernatural and spiritual aspect to everything in Christian life and ministry. In fact, the supernatural and spiritual aspect is the main thing. Jesus Christ, risen and ascended to heaven, is the one who pastors (or “shepherds”) his people (Hebrews 13:20). Our children are being raised in his nurture and admonition (Ephesians 6:4). He is the one who speaks in the preaching of the Word of God (Romans 10:14, notice the ESV marginal note). He is the one who gives the Spirit, whose gifts and graces are the lifeblood of our fellowship and ministry (Ephesians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6). In every aspect of our work—discipleship, evangelism, preaching, teaching, counseling, fellowship, prayer, service—we are not running the Church. Jesus is. And that is very good news!
With Jesus running the Church, we ought to be very hopeful for the future. Jesus knows what he is doing, and he is powerful to accomplish all of his purposes. We also ought to be diligent in our Church work. We are directly accountable to Jesus, which is a weighty responsibility.
Finally, we should be motivated to serve in the Church. Here in Silicon Valley, we are surrounded by highly motivated people. They are driven by the possibility of outstanding achievement, the promise of financial success, and the opportunity to work with leaders in their field. What motivation ought we to have, who work to advance and build the only organization that is run by Jesus himself?