Utawala, Ibada na Sakramenti za Kimethodisti na za Kinazarayo — Sehemu ya 5: Kanisa la Mahali: Uanachama, Makundi na Uongozi wa WaleiMethodist and Nazarene Polity, Worship, and Sacraments — Unit 5: The Local Church: Membership, Classes, and Lay Leadership

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Nao walidumu katika mafundisho ya mitume, na katika ushirika, na katika kuumega mkate, na katika kusali." (Matendo 2:42, SUV)"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, utaweza:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kueleza kile mapokeo ya Kiwesley yanachofundisha kuhusu kanisa la mahali na uanachama wa kanisa.1. Describe what the Wesleyan tradition teaches about the local church and church membership.

2. Kueleza sharti la Wesley la kujiunga na jumuiya (society) na Kanuni tatu za Jumla (General Rules).2. Explain Wesley's condition for joining a society and the three General Rules.

3. Kueleza mkutano wa kundi (class meeting) na kueleza kwa nini Wesley aliuthamini.3. Describe the class meeting and explain why Wesley valued it.

4. Kutaja ofisi kuu za walei za kanisa la mahali na msingi wa kibiblia wa uongozi wa walei.4. Name the main lay offices of the local church and the biblical basis for lay leadership.

5. Kutaja pingamizi dhidi ya mtazamo wetu wa uanachama na nidhamu, na kutoa majibu ya Wawesley.5. State the objections to our view of membership and discipline, and give the Wesleyan answers.

Sauti ya Kipindi HikiThe Voice of This Unit

Kipindi hiki kimeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya kihafidhina ya Kiwesley. Kinahusu usharika ambamo wachungaji na walei wengi watatumia maisha yao. Vipindi vya 1 hadi 4 vilizungumza juu ya kanisa pana. Hapa tunafika kwenye usharika wa kawaida. Kanuni za uanachama hutofautiana kati ya madhehebu ya Kiwesley, na mwongozo wako mwenyewe au kitabu cha nidhamu huamua kila undani. Wakristo wengine wana mitazamo mingine kuhusu uanachama na nidhamu ya kanisa. Tunaeleza mitazamo hiyo kwa haki kisha tunajibu. "Jaribuni mambo yote; mkashike lililo jema" (1 Wathesalonike 5:21).This unit is written from inside the conservative Wesleyan tradition. It is about the congregation where most pastors and lay people will spend their lives. Units 1 to 4 spoke of the wider church. Here we come to the ordinary congregation. The rules for membership differ among the Wesleyan bodies, and your own manual or discipline decides every detail. Other Christians hold other views of membership and of church discipline. We state those views fairly and then answer. "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Kanisa la Mahali Ni NiniWhat the Local Church Is

Neno la Agano Jipya kwa kanisa linamaanisha kusanyiko la watu walioitwa kutoka. Kanisa kwanza ni watu, si jengo. Makala ya Dini ya Kimethodisti yanaeleza kanisa linaloonekana la Kristo kuwa kusanyiko la watu waaminifu ambamo Neno safi la Mungu linahubiriwa na sakramenti zinaendeshwa ipasavyo. Hii inakubaliana na picha ya Matendo 2:42, ambapo waamini wa kwanza walijitoa kwa mafundisho ya mitume, kwa ushirika, kwa kuumega mkate na kwa sala.The New Testament word for church means an assembly of called-out people. A church is first of all a people, not a building. The Methodist Articles of Religion describe the visible church of Christ as a congregation of faithful people in which the pure Word of God is preached and the sacraments are rightly administered. This agrees with the picture in Acts 2:42, where the first believers gave themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Wawesley huongeza msisitizo wao wenyewe. Kanisa si mahali tu ambapo Neno linahubiriwa na sakramenti zinatolewa. Ni kundi la watu wanaofanywa watakatifu pamoja. Wesley alisema alitaka kueneza utakatifu wa kimaandiko. Kwake kundi la mahali lilikuwa mahali ambapo hili lilitokea katika maisha ya kila siku, ambapo waamini walisaidiana kubaki waaminifu, kama Waraka kwa Waebrania unavyohimiza: "wala tusiache kukusanyika pamoja" na kuchocheana katika upendo na matendo mema (Waebrania 10:24-25).Wesleyans add an emphasis of their own. A church is not only a place where the Word is preached and the sacraments given. It is a company of people who are being made holy together. Wesley said that he wanted to spread scriptural holiness. For him, the local group was the place where this happened in daily life, where believers helped one another to stay faithful, as the Letter to the Hebrews urges: "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" and stirring one another up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).

UanachamaMembership

Jinsi Wesley alivyopokea watuHow Wesley received people

Kanuni ya Wesley ya kujiunga na jumuiya ni maarufu. Katika Kanuni za Jumla za Jumuiya Zilizoungana aliandika kwamba sharti pekee lililohitajika kwa wale waliotaka kujiunga lilikuwa "hamu ya kukimbia ghadhabu ijayo, na kuokolewa kutoka dhambini mwao." Mtu hakuhitaji kuwa ameongoka kikamilifu. Mtu aliyetaka kweli kuokolewa angeweza kujiunga, na kusaidiwa njiani.Wesley's rule for joining a society is famous. In the General Rules of the United Societies he wrote that the only condition required of those who wished to join was "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." A person did not need to be fully converted. A person who truly wanted to be saved could join, and could be helped along the way.

Hili liliwezekana kwa sababu jumuiya ya Kimethodisti haikuwa kanisa lote. Watu wa Wesley pia walikuwa washiriki wa kanisa la parokia, ambako walipokea sakramenti. Jumuiya ilikuwa mahali pa malezi ndani ya kanisa. Watafutaji walikaribishwa huko, na wale ambao hawakuendelea katika njia waliondolewa.This was possible because the Methodist society was not the whole church. Wesley's people were also members of the parish church, where they received the sacraments. The society was a place of nurture within the church. Seekers were welcomed there, and those who did not continue in the way were removed.

Uanachama katika makanisa ya Kiwesley leoMembership in the Wesleyan churches today

Wamethodisti na watu wa Utakatifu walipoanzisha makanisa yao wenyewe, uanachama ulipata maana kamili zaidi. Kanisa la Nazarene, Kanisa la Wesleyan na madhehebu mengine ya Kiwesley huwataka wanaojiunga watoe ushuhuda wa kuzaliwa mara ya pili, wakubaliane na tamko la imani, na wakubali agano la kanisa la mwenendo wa Kikristo na wajibu wake. Madhehebu mengine pia yana kipindi cha maandalizi kabla ya uanachama kamili. Ubatizo na Meza ya Bwana ni ishara za kuwa mali ya kanisa, kama Vipindi vya 7 na 8 vitakavyoonyesha.As the Methodists and the Holiness people formed their own churches, membership took on a fuller meaning. The Church of the Nazarene, The Wesleyan Church and other Wesleyan bodies ask those who join to give a testimony of new birth, to agree with the statement of faith, and to accept the church's covenant of Christian conduct and its duties. Some bodies also have a period of preparation before full membership. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the signs of belonging, as Units 7 and 8 will show.

Washiriki wana wajibu. Huabudu mara kwa mara, hutoa kutoka kwa mali zao, hutumikia kanisani, huishi kwa kanuni za kanisa, na huunga mkono mchungaji na kazi nzima. Pia wana haki. Wanaweza kupiga kura katika mkutano wa kanisa, kushika ofisi, na kupokea utunzaji wa mchungaji na usharika.Members have duties. They worship regularly, give of their means, serve in the church, live by the church's rules, and support the pastor and the whole work. They also have privileges. They may vote in the church meeting, hold office, and receive the care of the pastor and the congregation.

Watafutaji bado wanakaribishwa. Mtu ambaye bado hajaongoka anaweza kuhudhuria kila ibada, kukaa katika funzo la Biblia na kuombewa. Ukaribishaji wa Wesley kwa watafutaji ni mfano mzuri kwa kanisa la leo. Tofauti ni kwamba uanachama hubeba wajibu, na kanisa husema wazi kile mshiriki anachopaswa kuamini na jinsi anavyopaswa kuishi.Seekers are still welcome. A person who is not yet converted can attend every service, sit in a Bible study and be prayed for. Wesley's openness to seekers is a good model for the church today. The distinction is that membership carries responsibility, and the church speaks plainly about what a member should believe and how he should live.

Kanuni za JumlaThe General Rules

Kanuni tatu za Jumla zinaeleza jinsi washiriki wa kanisa la Kiwesley wanavyopaswa kuishi. Wanapaswa kutotenda madhara, wakiepuka uovu wa kila aina. Wanapaswa kutenda mema, kwa kadiri iwezekanavyo kwa watu wote, hasa kwa watu wa nyumba ya imani. Na wanapaswa kuhudhuria maagizo ya Mungu, ambayo Wesley aliyaeleza kuwa ibada ya hadharani, huduma ya Neno, Meza ya Bwana, sala ya familia na ya faragha, kuchunguza Maandiko, na kufunga au kujizuia.The three General Rules describe how members of a Wesleyan church are to live. They are to do no harm, avoiding evil of every kind. They are to do good, as far as possible to all people, especially to those of the household of faith. And they are to attend upon the ordinances of God, which Wesley described as public worship, the ministry of the Word, the Lord's Supper, family and private prayer, searching the Scriptures, and fasting or abstinence.

Kanuni hizi si njia ya kupata wokovu. Kozi ya 2 ilifundisha kwamba tunahesabiwa haki kwa imani peke yake. Kanuni zinaeleza maisha ya wale waliookolewa na wanaokua. Lengo lake ni upendo kwa Mungu na kwa jirani. Kozi ya 3 ilifundisha kwamba utakatifu bila upendo hugeuka kuwa ushika-sheria, na onyo hilo linatumika hapa.The rules are not a way of earning salvation. Course 2 taught that we are justified by faith alone. The rules describe the life of those who have been saved and are growing. Their goal is love for God and for neighbor. Course 3 taught that holiness without love turns into legalism, and that warning applies here.

Utunzaji na nidhamuCare and discipline

Wesley alichukulia uanachama kwa uzito. Katika jumuiya zake viongozi waliwakagua washiriki mara kwa mara. Washiriki walipokea tiketi, zilizofanywa upya kila robo mwaka, na mtu ambaye mwenendo wake haukulingana na kanuni, na ambaye hakutubu, angeweza kuondolewa.Wesley took membership seriously. In his societies the leaders checked on the members regularly. Members received tickets, which were renewed each quarter, and a person whose conduct did not match the rules, and who did not repent, could be removed.

Agano Jipya linafundisha mfano uleule. Yesu alitoa hatua za kushughulikia ndugu anayetenda dhambi: kwenda kwake peke yako, kisha kuchukua mmoja au wawili, kisha kulieleza kanisa (Mathayo 18:15-17). Paulo aliwahimiza Wagalatia kwamba mtu akishikwa katika kosa, wale walio wa Roho wamrudishe kwa roho ya upole (Wagalatia 6:1). Aliwaambia Wakorintho washughulikie dhambi ya wazi na isiyotubiwa miongoni mwao (1 Wakorintho 5). Kusudi la nidhamu kwanza ni kurejeshwa kwa mtu, kisha usafi wa kanisa na heshima ya Kristo. Mchungaji anayeadhibu anapaswa kulia anapofanya hivyo, na kufurahi mtu anaporudi.The New Testament teaches the same pattern. Jesus gave steps for dealing with a brother who sins: go to him alone, then take one or two others, then tell the church (Matthew 18:15-17). Paul urged the Galatians that if someone is overtaken in a fault, those who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). He told the Corinthians to deal with open and unrepentant sin among them (1 Corinthians 5). The purpose of discipline is first the restoration of the person, then the purity of the church and the honor of Christ. A pastor who disciplines should weep as he does it, and should rejoice when the person returns.

Mkutano wa KundiThe Class Meeting

Asili yakeIts origin

Miongoni mwa uvumbuzi wa Wesley, mkutano wa kundi (class meeting) labda ndio uliokuwa na ufanisi zaidi. Wanahistoria wanatuambia kwamba ulianza Bristol mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1740 kama njia ya kukusanya pesa kwa ajili ya deni la jengo la jumuiya. Jumuiya iligawanywa katika vikundi vidogo vya watu wapatao kumi na wawili, kila kimoja na kiongozi aliyekusanya mchango mdogo wa kila wiki. Viongozi hao karibuni waligundua kwamba walikuwa wakijifunza kuhusu maisha ya washiriki, na Wesley aliona kwamba vikundi hivyo vingeweza kutumika kwa utunzaji wa kiroho. Kundi likawa mkutano wa kila wiki wa ushirika, uwajibikaji na sala.Among Wesley's inventions, the class meeting was perhaps the most effective. Historians tell us that it began in Bristol in the early 1740s as a way to collect money for the society's building debt. The society was divided into small groups of about twelve, each with a leader who gathered a small weekly contribution. The leaders soon discovered that they were learning about the members' lives, and Wesley saw that the groups could be used for spiritual care. The class became a weekly meeting for fellowship, accountability and prayer.

Kilichotokea katika kundiWhat happened in a class

Washiriki walikutana kila wiki chini ya kiongozi aliyekuwa mlei mkomavu, mwanamume au mwanamke. Kiongozi alimuuliza kila mmoja kwa zamu roho yake inaendeleaje. Washiriki walizungumza juu ya mapambano na ushindi wao, walionywa, walifarijiwa na kuombewa. Kiongozi alimwarifu mchungaji, alikusanya michango na alibaini ni nani asiyekuwepo.The members met weekly under a leader who was a mature layman or laywoman. The leader asked each person in turn how his soul was prospering. Members spoke of their struggles and victories, were exhorted, comforted and prayed for. The leader reported to the pastor, collected the contributions and noted who was absent.

Msingi wa kibiblia uko wazi. Waamini wanapaswa "mchukuliane mizigo, na hivyo mtimize sheria ya Kristo" (Wagalatia 6:2). Yakobo anawaambia, "Basi ungameni dhambi zenu ninyi kwa ninyi, mkaombeane, mpate kuponywa" (Yakobo 5:16). Waebrania 10:24-25 inawaita waamini kutiana moyo. Kundi lilikuwa njia ya kutia amri hizi katika vitendo kila wiki.The biblical basis is plain. Believers are to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). James tells them, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James 5:16). Hebrews 10:24-25 calls believers to encourage one another. The class was a way to put these commands into weekly practice.

Kwa nini Wesley alilithaminiWhy Wesley valued it

Wesley alishikilia kwamba kundi lilizuia uamsho usififie. Wale walioamshwa kwa kuhubiriwa walikusanywa na kufundishwa kutembea katika njia. Kundi lilitoa uwajibikaji uliowaandaa waamini kufuatilia utakatifu wa moyo na wa maisha. Pia liliwafunza idadi kubwa ya viongozi walei.Wesley held that the class kept the revival from fading. Those who were awakened by preaching were gathered and taught to walk in the way. The class provided the accountability that prepared believers to pursue holiness of heart and life. It also trained a large body of lay leaders.

Kupungua kwa kundiThe decline of the class

Katika karne ya kumi na tisa na ishirini mkutano wa kundi ulififia katika makanisa mengi ya Kimethodisti. Wanahistoria wanajadili sababu. Wengine wanaonyesha ukuaji wa ukubwa wa kanisa na heshima, ambavyo vilifanya waamini wasite kuzungumza juu ya mapambano yao. Wengine wanasisitiza kwamba shule za Jumapili, mikutano ya sala na mikutano ya uamsho ilichukua nafasi yake. Baadhi ya wakosoaji wanasema kupungua kwa kundi kulidhoofisha vuguvugu la Kimethodisti, huku wengine wakisema kwamba kuhubiri na si makundi ndio uliokuwa moyo wa ukuaji wa Kimethodisti. Tunadhani yote mawili yalikuwa muhimu. Wesley mwenyewe aliona kuhubiri na kundi kama nusu mbili za kazi moja. Kozi ya 5, Kipindi cha 3 kitaonyesha jinsi makundi yanavyoweza kurejeshwa leo kama vikundi vidogo, na hili lifanywe kwa uangalifu ili vikundi vitumikie injili na visiwe mpango mwingine tu.In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the class meeting faded in many Methodist churches. Historians debate the causes. Some point to growing church size and respectability, which made believers unwilling to speak of their struggles. Others stress that Sunday schools, prayer meetings and revival meetings took its place. Some critics argue that the decline of the class weakened the Methodist movement, while others say that preaching and not classes was the heart of Methodist growth. We think both mattered. Wesley himself saw the preaching and the class as two halves of one work. Course 5, Unit 3 will show how classes can be recovered today as small groups, and this should be done with care so that the groups serve the gospel and are not just another program.

Uongozi wa WaleiLay Leadership

Mapokeo ya Kiwesley siku zote yametegemea walei. Jumuiya za Wesley ziliongozwa kwa kiasi kikubwa na wanaume na wanawake walei. Paulo alifundisha kwamba Kristo alitoa mitume, manabii, wainjilisti, wachungaji na waalimu "kwa kusudi la kuwakamilisha watakatifu, hata wafanye kazi ya huduma" (Waefeso 4:12). Petro anasema, "Kila mtu kama alivyopata karama, mhudumiane kwa karama hiyo, kama mawakili wema wa neema mbalimbali za Mungu" (1 Petro 4:10). Kanisa ambalo mchungaji pekee ndiye anayefanya kazi ni kanisa ambalo halijaelewa wito wake.The Wesleyan tradition has always depended on lay people. Wesley's societies were led largely by laymen and laywomen. Paul taught that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Ephesians 4:12). Peter says that "as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). The church that has only a pastor doing the work is a church that has not understood its calling.

Ofisi kuu za waleiThe main lay offices

Majina hutofautiana, lakini zifuatazo zinapatikana katika makanisa mengi ya Kiwesley.The names vary, but the following are found in most Wesleyan churches.

• Kiongozi wa kundi au kiongozi wa kikundi kidogo. Anatunza kundi la washiriki na kuwasaidia kukua katika neema.• Class leader or small-group leader. Cares for a group of members and helps them grow in grace.

• Msimamizi wa fedha (steward). Anatunza fedha na kazi ya kivitendo ya kanisa, na mara nyingi utunzaji wa maskini. Neno hili linamaanisha msimamizi wa kile kilicho cha mwingine. Katika Matendo 6 wale saba walichaguliwa kusimamia ugawaji wa kila siku kwa wajane.• Steward. Looks after the finances and the practical work of the church, and often the care of the poor. The word means a manager of what belongs to another. In Acts 6 the seven were chosen to manage the daily distribution to widows.

• Mdhamini (trustee). Anashika na kutunza mali ya kanisa, ndani ya kanuni za mwongozo.• Trustee. Holds and cares for the church's property, within the rules of the manual.

• Mwalimu na msimamizi wa shule ya Jumapili. Anafundisha Neno kwa watoto na watu wazima.• Sunday school teacher and superintendent. Teaches the Word to children and adults.

• Mhubiri mlei au msemaji mlei. Anahubiri chini ya uongozi wa mchungaji au wilaya, hasa pale ambapo wachungaji ni wachache.• Lay preacher or lay speaker. Preaches under the direction of the pastor or district, especially where there are few pastors.

• Mjumbe (delegate). Anawakilisha usharika katika mabaraza ya wilaya na ya kanisa kuu, kama Vipindi vya 2 na 3 vilivyoeleza.• Delegate. Represents the congregation in district and general assemblies, as Units 2 and 3 described.

• Mjumbe wa bodi ya kanisa. Anashiriki na mchungaji katika kusimamia kanisa.• Church board member. Shares with the pastor in the oversight of the church.

Sifa za viongozi waleiThe qualifications of lay leaders

Mitume walipoomba kanisa lichague wale saba, walisema watu hao wawe "watu saba waliosifiwa, wenye Roho na hekima" (Matendo 6:3). Kiwango hichohicho kinafaa viongozi walei leo. Kiongozi anapaswa kuwa mtu aliyeongoka, mwenye bidii katika ibada, mwaminifu katika mwenendo na mwenye hekima. Mchungaji na usharika wanapaswa kuomba kabla ya kuchagua watu na kuwafunza baadaye.When the apostles asked the church to choose the seven, they said the men should be "of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). The same standard fits lay leaders today. A leader should be a converted person, active in worship, faithful in conduct, and wise. The pastor and the congregation should pray before they elect people and should train them afterward.

Mchungaji na viongozi waleiThe pastor and the lay leaders

Mchungaji si bwana juu ya kanisa. Wala bodi ya kanisa si mtawala juu ya mchungaji. Wanafanya kazi kama timu katika utumishi wa Kristo. Mchungaji hufundisha, huchunga na hulinda mafundisho. Viongozi walei husimamia, husaidia na huleta sauti ya usharika. Pande hizi mbili zinapoheshimiana, kanisa hustawi.The pastor is not a lord over the church. Neither is the church board a ruler over the pastor. They work as a team in the service of Christ. The pastor teaches, shepherds and guards the doctrine. The lay leaders manage, assist and bring the voice of the congregation. When the two sides respect one another, the church flourishes.

Pingamizi na Majibu YetuObjections and Our Answers

Pingamizi la 1: Uanachama wa kanisa unapaswa kuwa wa wale waliozaliwa mara ya pili waziwazi tu.Objection 1: Church membership should be limited to those who are clearly born again.

Wabaptisti na wengine wengi hufundisha kwamba kanisa ni mwili wa waamini waliozaliwa upya. Wanasema sharti dogo la Wesley la kuingia katika jumuiya lilijaza vikundi vyake watu ambao hawajaongoka, na kwamba hii ilikuwa udhaifu katika Umethodisti.Baptists and many others teach that the church is a body of regenerate believers. They say Wesley's low condition for entering the societies filled his groups with unconverted people, and that this was a weakness in Methodism.

Jibu letu. Tunakubali kwamba kanisa la Kristo limeundwa na waliozaliwa mara ya pili, na makanisa yetu huwataka washiriki kushuhudia kuzaliwa upya. Lakini jumuiya za Wesley hazikuwa kanisa kwa maana kamili. Zilikuwa vikundi ndani ya kanisa ambapo watafutaji wangeweza kulelewa. Yesu mwenyewe alifundisha kwamba ngano na magugu hukua pamoja hadi mavuno (Mathayo 13:24-30), na hakuna nidhamu ya kibinadamu inayoweza kuyatenganisha kikamilifu. Desturi yetu ni kuwakaribisha watafutaji, kuwapokea washiriki kwa kukiri, na kutumia nidhamu kwa upendo.Our answer. We agree that the church of Christ is made of the born again, and our churches ask members to testify to the new birth. But Wesley's societies were not the church in the full sense. They were groups within the church where seekers might be nurtured. Jesus Himself taught that the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30), and no human discipline can fully separate them. Our practice is to welcome seekers, to receive members on profession, and to exercise discipline in love.

Pingamizi la 2: Makundi na nidhamu ya kanisa huvamia faragha na kufanya watu kuwa washika-sheria.Objection 2: Classes and church discipline invade privacy and make people legalists.

Wakosoaji wanasema kwamba kuwauliza washiriki roho zao zinaendeleaje ni kuingilia, kunafanana na maungamo ya Kikatoliki kwa padri, na huzaa roho ya kuwahukumu wengine.Critics say that asking members how their souls prosper is intrusive, resembles Catholic confession to a priest, and breeds a spirit of judging others.

Jibu letu. Mkutano wa kundi ulikuwa wa hiari, na washiriki walichagua kujiunga. Maungamo ambayo Yakobo anaeleza ni ya pande zote mbili: waamini wanaungamana wao kwa wao na kuombeana, si kwa padri ili kupata msamaha (Yakobo 5:16). Lengo la Wesley lilikuwa upendo, si udhibiti. Tunakubali kwamba nidhamu inaweza kuwa kali na ya kushika-sheria, na Kozi ya 3 ilizungumza wazi juu ya hatari hiyo. Dawa ni kuweka kanuni chache, roho ya upole na lengo la kurejesha. Jibu la matumizi mabaya ni matumizi sahihi, si kuacha ushirika.Our answer. The class meeting was voluntary, and members chose to join. The confession James describes is mutual: believers confess to one another and pray for one another, not to a priest for absolution (James 5:16). Wesley's aim was love, not control. We agree that discipline can become harsh and legalistic, and Course 3 spoke plainly of that danger. The cure is to keep the rules few, the spirit gentle and the goal restoration. The answer to abuse is right use, not the abandonment of fellowship.

Pingamizi la 3: Kuwapa walei mamlaka mengi kunadhoofisha huduma.Objection 3: Giving much authority to lay people weakens the ministry.

Wengine wanasema kwamba walei wanapochagua maafisa na kupiga kura juu ya mambo ya kanisa, mamlaka ya mchungaji ya kufundisha na kuongoza hupungua na umaarufu unaweza kutawala.Some say that when laymen elect officers and vote on matters of the church, the pastor's authority to teach and lead is reduced and popularity may rule.

Jibu letu. Mtazamo wa Kiwesley ni kwamba mwili mzima unashiriki katika huduma. Mchungaji ana mamlaka ya kweli kutoka kwa Neno na kutoka kwa ofisi yake, na viongozi walei wana sauti ya kweli katika kazi. Matendo 6 inaonyesha mitume wakiomba usharika kuchagua wale saba, na usharika ulifanya hivyo. Kanisa linalosikiliza na mchungaji anayeongoza kwa upendo hawako katika mgogoro.Our answer. The Wesleyan view is that the whole body shares in ministry. The pastor has a real authority from the Word and from his office, and the lay leaders have a real voice in the work. Acts 6 shows the apostles asking the congregation to choose the seven, and the congregation did so. A church that listens and a pastor who leads in love are not in conflict.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Mchungaji anapokea kanisa lenye majina themanini kwenye orodha ya uanachama, lakini watu thelathini na watano tu ndio wanaohudhuria. Wengine wamehamia miji mingine. Wengine hawajaonekana kwa miaka. Wachache wameanguka dhambini na kuacha kuja. Afisa wa kanisa anasema, "Tuondoe tu majina ya wote wasiokuja, na tatizo litakuwa limeisha."A pastor receives a church with eighty names on its membership roll, but only thirty-five people attend. Some have moved to other cities. Some have not been seen for years. A few have fallen into sin and stopped coming. A church officer says, "Let us simply remove all the names of those who do not come, and the problem is solved."

Mchungaji hakubali kuondoa tu. Kwanza, anaomba na kuiomba bodi ya kanisa ijiunge naye. Pili, anatengeneza orodha ya kila mtu na kuchunguza kinachojulikana kuhusu kila mmoja. Tatu, yeye na viongozi wanatembelea au kuandikia kila jina, ili kujua nani amehamia, nani ni mgonjwa, na nani amepotea. Nne, kwa wale waliohamia, anawasaidia kuhamishia uanachama wao kwenye kanisa lililo karibu nao. Kwa wale waliopotea, anawaita warudi kwa uchangamfu na kujitolea kukutana nao. Tano, baada ya jitihada ya subira tu, na pale mtu anapoonyesha wazi kwamba hataki kuwa sehemu ya kanisa, ndipo analeta suala hilo kwa bodi kwa hatua rasmi chini ya mwongozo. Pia anaanzisha vikundi vidogo ili wale wanaorudi wapate marafiki wanaojali roho zao zinavyoendelea. Kanisa lina majina machache lakini uchungaji zaidi.The pastor does not agree to simple removal. First, he prays and asks the church board to join him. Second, he makes a list of each person and finds out what is known about them. Third, he and the leaders visit or write to every name, to learn who has moved, who is ill, and who has drifted. Fourth, for those who have moved, he helps them to transfer to a church near them. For those who have drifted, he calls them back with warmth and offers to meet them. Fifth, only after patient effort, and where a person plainly does not wish to be part of the church, does he bring the matter to the board for formal action under the manual. He also begins small groups so that those who return will find friends who care how their souls are doing. The church has fewer names but more shepherding.

MuhtasariSummary

Kanisa la mahali ni watu waliokusanyika kuzunguka Neno na sakramenti, na Wawesley wanasisitiza kwamba pia ni kundi linalokua katika utakatifu pamoja. Sharti la Wesley la kujiunga na jumuiya yake lilikuwa hamu ya kukimbia ghadhabu ijayo na kuokolewa kutoka dhambini. Leo makanisa yetu huwataka washiriki kushuhudia kuzaliwa mara ya pili, kukubaliana na tamko la imani na kushika agano la mwenendo wa Kikristo. Kanuni tatu za Jumla zinaeleza maisha ya washiriki: kutotenda madhara, kutenda mema na kuhudhuria maagizo ya Mungu. Nidhamu inakusudiwa kurejesha. Mkutano wa kundi ulikuwa moyo wa utunzaji wa roho wa Wesley, kikundi kidogo cha kila wiki cha ushirika na uwajibikaji kilichojengwa juu ya Wagalatia 6:2 na Yakobo 5:16. Walei hutumikia kama viongozi, wasimamizi wa fedha, wadhamini, walimu, wahubiri na wajumbe, kwa sababu Kristo alitoa viongozi kuwakamilisha watakatifu wote kwa huduma. Tunawajibu wale wanaotaka waliozaliwa upya tu kanisani, wale wanaoogopa kuingiliwa, na wale wanaoogopa mamlaka ya walei, kwa kuelekeza kwenye Maandiko na uwiano wa upendo na utaratibu.The local church is a people gathered around the Word and the sacraments, and Wesleyans stress that it is also a company growing in holiness together. Wesley's condition for joining his society was a desire to flee from the wrath to come and be saved from sin. Today our churches ask members to testify to the new birth, agree with the statement of faith and keep the covenant of Christian conduct. The three General Rules describe the life of members: do no harm, do good and attend upon the ordinances of God. Discipline is meant to restore. The class meeting was the heart of Wesley's care for souls, a weekly small group of fellowship and accountability based on Galatians 6:2 and James 5:16. Lay people serve as leaders, stewards, trustees, teachers, preachers and delegates, because Christ gave leaders to equip all the saints for ministry. We answer those who want only the regenerate in the church, those who fear intrusion, and those who fear lay authority, by pointing to Scripture and to the balance of love and order.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• John Wesley, "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies" (1743) (Hali, Kusudi na Kanuni za Jumla za Jumuiya Zilizoungana).• John Wesley, "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies" (1743).

• John Wesley, A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists (Maelezo Rahisi Kuhusu Watu Wanaoitwa Wamethodisti).• John Wesley, A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists.

• John Wesley, mahubiri "Of the Church" (Kuhusu Kanisa).• John Wesley, sermon "Of the Church."

• John Wesley, mahubiri "On Visiting the Sick" (Kuhusu Kuwatembelea Wagonjwa).• John Wesley, sermon "On Visiting the Sick."

• The Methodist Articles of Religion (1784) (Makala ya Dini ya Kimethodisti).• The Methodist Articles of Religion (1784).

• Mwongozo au kitabu cha nidhamu cha sasa cha dhehebu lako mwenyewe, kwa kanuni za sasa za uanachama na utawala wa kanisa la mahali.• Your own denomination's current manual or book of discipline, for the present rules of membership and local church government.

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