God's people are not to be swept up in every new wave of doctrinal thinking.

Eph 4:11 And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Eph 4:13 And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Eph 4:14 so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit.

Eph 4:15 But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ;

Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Eph 4:18 having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

Personal opinions cannot be allowed to rule nor guide God's people; His Church. Church traditions, and the doctrines of men are akin to the opinions of any given denomination. The Montana Churches of God are striving to follow the clear guidance of God's Word as we raise up Followers of Jesus Christ in our modern era.

God Almighty is the Creator, the Inventor of family! He desires for us to experience great blessings as we invite His Word to guide and sculpt the structure of our Christian family.

The Family ~ One Man and One Woman for life.

Christ Reigns Over All ~ Jesus is the foremost leader of our family.

God's Architecture of The Family Unit

We worship Jesus as our :

~King of Kings

~The Lord of our Life

~Our Great High Priest

~The Word Made Flesh

As such, Jesus has authority over all of our family decisions and choices. The Word of God has authority over our family. God's Word is the counselor and teacher of our family.

God's Word provides order to the family.

God has given us detailed instruction concerning the leadership, structure, and governance of His Church. It is His Church, purchased by His shed Blood.

Act 20:27 For I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.

The Church ~ The Bride of Christ

The Church of God is comprised of all the Redeemed!

1Pe 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

People from every tribe, tongue, and nation shall be gathered together to form the Body of Christ.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Church Leadership, Governance, and Service

As the Montana Churches of God ~ WE BELIEVE THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SUPREME AUTHORITY for all matters, including the fundamental structure of the New Testament Church. WE BELIEVE that the counsel given through the epistles; the New Testament letters to the Churches provides clear guidelines for the way in which the Lord Jesus would have us to conduct the affairs of His House, His Church, His Body.

Jesus is the Head of the Church!

Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Col 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Col 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

Col 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

How does Jesus direct His Church?

He has given us His Word, The Bible. He has given us His Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Counselor. He has given spiritual gifts to His people, to be used in accordance with the leading and power of The Spirit of God.

Eph 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

PASTORS ~ ELDERS ~ DEACONS ~ COMMENDED SERVANTS

PASTOR~SHEPHERD / OVERSEER

1Ti 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 1Ti 3:6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. ....:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Act 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Pastors ~ Overseers Must Be:

~Called by the Holy Spirit to serve.

~Men who meet the 1Tim 3 qualifications

~A man meeting the Titus 1 qualifications

~Able to serve with the heart of 1Peter 5

Tit 1: 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Pastors ~ Overseers Are Called to Serve With the Caring Heart of A Shepherd

Psa 78:70 He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; 71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.

Joh 21:15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep."

1Pe 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Governing Elders

Called the "Presbuteros" in the original language, these men are seen leading the New Testament Church after Jesus' ascension.

The letters to the Churches, the Epistles, give great instruction to the qualifications and the responsibilities of Church Elders. They are to work alongside the Pastor~Overseer of the Church who is their "fellow Elder" as Peter teaches.

Pillars of the Church. Men who love and uphold the Word of God.

Act 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

1Ti 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Elders are to men of intercessory prayer.

Col 1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints... For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Deacons & Commended Servants

The Greek root word for Deacon is "diakanos", literally translated means SERVANT.

Act 6:1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

"Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Act 6:4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

God's People Are Called To Meet Real Needs!

As God's Church we are to help those in need. Painting a house, helping to move, feeding disaster refugees, providing firewood, planting gardens, visiting the elderly, serving the needs of widows, or feeding the hungry. We are to meet REAL needs. The New Testament tells us to appoint men who can lead such efforts as Deacons, and we are given the example of women who are also commended to service in like manner. Both men and women are called to serve the practical needs of the Church Body, and our communities; with the Deacons leading that work.

Deacon: 1Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Their women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Commended Servant

The principle and precept of women and men being called and "commened or commissioned" to serve the Body of Christ for specific purposes is best seen in Romans Chapter 16.

Rom 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;

Rom 16:2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Phoebe serves with the "accomodation" and authority of Paul, as she serves to carry out works which he has sent her to do. She is a recognized servant of the Church in Cenchrea, and is to be given any assistance she may need.

What Does A Deacon Do?

Deacons are men called by God to serve. They often demonstrate a strong Holy Spirit Gifting of "helps". The principle role of a Deacon is to meet the practical needs of people within the Body of Christ; most importantly the needs of widows, orphans, the disadvantaged, the broken and hurting, and the elderly. The Pastor and the Governing Elders often help with such needs, and may lead the Deacons in service projects, but many times they rely on the Deacons to care for these needs as they look to the Spiritual needs of the Body. This is to be done in the same spirit expressed in Acts Chapter 6.

Women Commissioned to Teach & Proclaim the Gospel to the Women, Youth, & Children of the Body of Christ

Tit 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.... 2:7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Meeting A Great Need

Speaking and teaching the Truth! Sound doctrine isn't just philosophy or intellectual theology, it's the sound truth of God's Word put into practice in our every day life! Jesus has called US, His Church, to make Disciples of all the Nations; True Followers - not just Church attendees. In the process of making Disciples we must all be engaged in our areas of responsibility. Titus Chapter 2 gives a high calling to "older women" to teach the "younger women", but is it just about age. In truth, it's those wise and mature saints teaching & discipling the younger believers. Mature Christian women need to be SPEAKING sound doctrine to the women who are younger in Christ, learning to follow Jesus.

The Church NEEDS Women Gifted and Called By The Holy Spirit to Disciple Other Women.

When a woman is saved from the the darkness of our modern world, she needs another woman to minister to her personally. In 2025, women around the world are struggling with trials that didn't exist just decades ago. Pornography, sexual identity, and a war against traditional values. In many instances it isn't appropriate for any man; be it a pastor, elder, or teacher to speak into the personal challenges that women are facing. Beyond being appropriate; a man cannot deliver the same message in the powerful way that a gifted Christian woman can. The fact of the matter is that God can speak through a Spirit filled and gifted woman of God in a TOTALLY different way than He speaks through a man. Unfortunately, the Church has often missed the mark in guiding gifted women into roles that aren't designed for them. We need to support women that the Holy Spirit is calling and equipping to serve, but we need to guide that calling according to the mandates of scripture.

1Pe 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

It requires an army of Servants to make the Body of Christ effective!

Both Men and Women are Commended to Serve the Needs of The Church

Unless you have served in the leadership of God's Church, or are currently serving, you may not understand how vast a team the Church requires. Men and Women alike are called to serve in many positions, and each one requires a special gifting by the Holy Spirit. The Spiritual Gifts which the Lord Jesus has bestowed upon His People are to be employed for the furtherance of HIS KINGDOM. The Kingdom of God is advanced with each heart that receives Him as Savior and Lord! The work of the Kingdom requires a team!

Let's look at some of those roles. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and truthfully, each Church will order themselves according to their vision for ministry.

God's Team of Servants

Each One Of Us Has Received Gifts From The H.oly Spirit To Be Used In Service To The King. What's Your Gift?

1Co 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

Church Treasurer : The Gift of Administration with a special gift of faith! The men and women who serve the Church in this position must have the ability to trust the Lord with the provision for His Work, as they balance budgets and maintain perfect accounting. This is a job for a steady and faithful Christian worker, not a novice or new believer.

Worship Leader : Those men and women called to lead people in the OFFERING of Praise & Worship have a high calling. It's never to be a performance that the congregation is taking in; it's to be an expression of the Love of God's People. Worship leaders are in the spotlight, and as such must maintain a life of genuine Christian living, reflecting the character of Christ.

Worship Teams of Gifted Men and Women Bless Us!

On offering of time ~ Have you considered the amount of time it takes for the worship team in your Church to learn all of the songs they share on a Sunday morning? Each member must learn their part. Taking the time to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead the choices of songs, to provide the talents and ability to carry out those songs, and to call on the Lord to prepare the hearts of the people who will hear - it requires a sacrifice and offering of time. Thank your worship team!

Worship Teams should operate as a "small group" where participants are praying for each other, growing in the Word together, and holding each other to a Godly standard as they walk out their Christian faith.

Intercessory Prayer

Are you called to be a Prayer Warrior? Do you have a Gift of Faith?

Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Does your Church have a prayer team? Prayer group, or a prayer chain? Men and women who serve God as intercessors loose the Power of God, and bind the hands of the enemy. Those called to lead God's people in prayer campaigns are a blessing to more people than most ever know. Prayer warriors can testify to the mighty works of God!

Youth & Children's Mininstry

Can you remember your first Sunday School teacher? The men and women that God calls and equips for this critical work will have a massive impact on the Kingdom of God. Statistically, Youth and Children's leaders will lead more people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior than Pastor~Shepherds. Those commissioned to the task of teaching the next generation must meet the same high standards as other servant leaders. They must be a Godly example to the young people they lead. Those called to guide our Youth and Children's Ministries must be faithful and full of the Holy Spirit. We need both men and women to effectively minister to boys and girls. Pray for those who are at work in this field of service at your Church, as they often serve behind the scenes for years sacrificing their own involvement in the the activities of the adults.

Support & Encourage A Strong Youth & Children's Ministry!