Introduction

In this episode of Church as a Team Sport, Lance Wigton and Jim Putman discuss the importance of doctrinal alignment in the local church. Many churches today face division due to differing theological views, cultural pressures, and personal preferences. Jim unpacks why a strong, biblically rooted doctrine is essential for church unity, discipleship, and spiritual maturity. Through practical examples and biblical wisdom, they explore how churches can align their people, clarify beliefs, and equip members to stand firm in truth.

Key Takeaways

1. The Need for Doctrinal Clarity and Alignment

• Many believers come from diverse backgrounds, bringing different theological understandings.
• The church must clearly define its beliefs and expectations to maintain unity.
• Doctrinal alignment helps prevent division and keeps the church focused on its mission.

2. Biblical Unity Requires Shared Language and Vision

• Paul emphasized "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4-6) as the foundation of church unity.
• Like a sports team or business, a church must have a clear playbook that everyone follows.
• Church leaders must consistently reinforce vision and doctrine to prevent drift.

3. The Role of Membership and Leadership Training

• A strong membership process ensures that those who join understand the church’s mission, doctrine, and expectations.
• Leadership classes and ongoing training keep members aligned and growing in maturity.
• Membership isn't just about attendance—it’s about commitment to a shared mission.

4. The Impact of Cultural Shifts on Doctrine

• Churches today face increasing pressure to adapt to cultural trends, but biblical truth does not change.
• Issues like gender roles, sexuality, and biblical authority require clarity in teaching.
• Historical Christianity provides a firm foundation—our understanding of Scripture should align with how it has been interpreted for centuries.

5. Discipleship as the Key to Discernment

• Believers who are not discipled struggle to discern truth from cultural distortions.
• Churches must equip members to stand firm in Scripture and resist false teachings.
• Spiritual growth requires intentionality—through Scripture, prayer, and community.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is doctrinal unity important in the church? How does it impact discipleship and mission?
2. Have you ever experienced confusion or division due to differing theological views? How was it handled?
3. What role should church membership play in aligning believers with a shared vision?
4. How can Christians navigate cultural shifts while remaining faithful to biblical truth?
5. What steps can you take to become more grounded in your faith and better equipped to discern truth?

Action Steps

• Examine Your Own Understanding: Are your beliefs rooted in Scripture or personal preference?
• Commit to Doctrinal Alignment: If you’re part of a church, seek to understand and align with its core teachings.
• Engage in Discipleship: Join a small group, take a leadership class, or seek mentorship to grow in faith.
• Be Aware of Cultural Influences: Regularly evaluate the sources shaping your worldview and compare them to Scripture.
• Encourage Others in Their Faith: Help others understand the importance of sound doctrine and biblical unity.

Closing Encouragement

In a world filled with shifting beliefs and conflicting messages, standing firm in biblical truth is more important than ever. The church is not meant to be a collection of individual players but a unified team, working together under the same vision. As you continue your journey of faith, stay rooted in Scripture, committed to discipleship, and aligned with a community that seeks to glorify God.

Scripture References

• Ephesians 4:4-6 – One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Being of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching.
• Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus resisting temptation through Scripture.
• John 14:27 – The peace that Christ gives is not like the world's peace.

For more resources, visit JimPutman.com.

Ep. 15: Building a Healthy Church Through Biblical Eldership

In this episode, Lance Wigton and Jim Putman discuss the critical role of eldership in the church. They explore how biblical eldership isn't about decision-making power but about living out discipleship and shepherding the church family.

The conversation highlights the importance of raising up elders from within the church, ensuring alignment in vision, values, and relational discipleship.

· Key Takeaways:

Eldership Should Be Rooted in Discipleship:

• Elders should be people who live out the faith, not just decision-makers.
• They must demonstrate maturity in head (knowledge), heart (love for God and others), and hands (action).

Raising Up Leaders from Within the Church Prevents Cultural Clashes:

• Hiring pastors from outside often leads to misalignment in vision and philosophy.
• Elders who are raised through a discipleship process share a common foundation.

Church Leadership Should Not Be a Political System:

• Many churches operate eldership like a congressional system, where leaders respond to the desires of the people rather than seeking God’s vision.
• True biblical eldership listens to God first and leads the church accordingly.

Discipleship Should Lead to Leadership Development:

• Churches should not have to outsource leadership but should develop it through intentional discipleship.
• Elders and pastors should have a history of shared ministry and trust within the church.

The Role of Elders is to Oversee and Model Discipleship:

• Elders should be active in disciple-making, not just administrative tasks.
• Their leadership should be based on experience in shepherding people, not just tenure in the church.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does biblical eldership look like, and how does it differ from common church leadership structures?
2. How does your church develop leaders? Are elders raised from within or brought in from the outside?
3. In what ways can elders and pastors ensure they are leading with a discipleship mindset rather than a business model?
4. What role does relational discipleship play in your church's leadership development?
5. How can a church navigate changes in leadership while maintaining unity and biblical direction?

Action Steps:

• Evaluate Your Church’s Leadership Structure:
• Are your elders living out discipleship, or are they just decision-makers?
• Develop a Process for Raising Up Leaders:
• Invest in discipleship that leads to leadership within the church.
• Ensure Alignment Between Elders and Pastors:
• Regularly assess if leadership shares the same vision and mission.
• Encourage a Culture of Spiritual Growth:
• Shift from comfort-based leadership to mission-driven leadership.

· Closing Encouragement:

Biblical eldership isn’t about power—it’s about shepherding and discipleship. When elders are raised up through a shared discipleship process, the church functions as a true spiritual family, avoiding division and fostering spiritual growth. By prioritizing God’s vision over human preferences, churches can create a strong, unified foundation that withstands challenges and advances the gospel.

· Scripture References:

• Titus 1:5 – Appointing elders in every town.
• Ephesians 4:12 – Equipping the saints for ministry.
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – Qualifications of an elder.
• Acts 20:28 – Elders as shepherds of the church.
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – Passing leadership to faithful men who will teach others.