Church Leadership And Government
Introduction: The Bible teaches that there are two offices in a church (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3). They are: pastors (or they could also be called elders, bishops, overseers, or shepherds and still be biblical) and deacons. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Church organization was quite simple in apostolic days: There were pastors (elders, bishops) and deacons (Phil 1:1). It seems that there was a plurality of elders overseeing the work of each church…” Pastors are to lead and feed God’s church. Deacons are servants who function as pastoral assistants to meet the needs of the congregation. Let’s examine them individually, but please keep in mind that as a new church we are a work in progress, and it will take time to implement this fully.
Elders
It is my conviction that good leadership is essential for having a good church. John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Thus, it is essential for a church to have the proper leadership structure with the right type of leaders. John MacArthur says, “Biblically, the focal point of all church leadership is the elder. It is the elders who are charged with teaching, feeding, and protecting the church, and it is the elders who are accountable to God on behalf of the church.” This is an attempt to state and explain what the Bible actually teaches on the subject of elders and deacons.
This is somewhat of a controversial issue. However, the key is to be biblical. The Bible is the Word of God and the place where truth is revealed. At True Life Church, “we believe that all of the Bible is the inspired Word of God that is true in everything it affirms,” and “we believe that the Bible is the authority for our lives that is sufficient to guide us in what we believe, how we live, and how this church functions.” Human opinions are irrelevant. We must follow the will of God as it is revealed in Scripture.
This is an area where my convictions have changed. A friend of mine challenged me to study this subject when we were in seminary. I really had difficulty getting past my traditions and looking at it objectively. However, I have continued to study the issue over the course of the years, and I have become convinced that the Bible teaches that a local church is to be led by a plurality of God-called, spiritually qualified men. Let us consider their Name, their Number, their Nature (qualifications and role), and some important questions regarding this issue.
Before we examine those items, we should look at a foundational issue in regard to leadership in the church. Jesus Christ is the unquestioned Leader of the Church. He is the Head. We are the Body. (“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence”- Colossians 1:18.) He is the Lord. We are the servants. The church is not really a democracy. It is a benevolent dictatorship. Majority opinion has never decided God’s will or changed God’s mind. I believe that we have read the American idea of democracy into the New Testament. The words committee, democracy, business meeting, and Robert’s Rules of Order do not appear in the Bible.
The question then is in regard to how Christ’s leadership is mediated and expressed in the local church. The Bible does teach the priesthood of all believers. We all have equal access to God. However, the Bible also teaches that we are to submit to proper spiritual authority. Stephen Olford says, “Speaking to church members, the writer to the Hebrews exhorts, ‘Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account’ (Hebrews 13:17). Here is an area that is utterly disregarded in most of our churches today. By the infiltration of a false concept of democracy and worldly government, we have nullified God’s purpose in the local congregation. The consequences are that we have produced a state of anarchy. Like the days of spiritual declension in the Old Testament times when there was no king in Israel, sadly it has to be stated that ‘everyone [does] what [is] right in his own eyes’ (Judges 17:6). There can be no doubt, however, that God’s intention is that the sovereignty of Christ should be recognized in the pastoral leadership of the church, working out through the appointed elders and deacons. Only when such divine authority is respected and obeyed will unity, blessing, and abundant life be enjoyed throughout the membership.”
With that said in the way of introduction, let’s examine what the Bible teaches about church leadership, beginning with elders. I will begin by sharing several Scriptures that show what the Name and Number should be.
Acts 11:29-30 says, “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
Acts 14:23 says, “So when they [Paul and Barnabas] had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Acts 15:6 says, “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.”
Acts 20:17 says, “From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.” Verse 28 then says, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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.”
Philippians 1:1b says, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”
1 Timothy 3:1 says, “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.”
1 Timothy 4:14 says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
1 Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
Titus 1:5 says, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.” He then begins to list the character requirements for the elders and says in verse 7 that “a bishop must be blameless.”
Hebrews 13: 7 and 17 say, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament and several translations translate “those who rule over you” as “your leaders.” The point is that the phrase is plural which means that they had multiple rulers or leaders to follow.
James 5:14 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
1 Peter 5:1-3 says, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
(I) Their Name–The name is not really the key issue. We see in the preceding Scriptures that there are five interchangeable biblical terms for the person we generally refer to as pastor. A minister can be called pastor, shepherd, bishop, overseer, or elder according to these Scriptures. Pastor and shepherd are translated from the Greek word, poimen. Bishop and overseer are translated from the Greek word, episkopos. Elder is translated from the Greek word, presbuteros. These words simply highlight different functions of the same office. We see in Acts 20: 17 and 28, Titus 1: 5 and 7, and 1 Peter 5:1-2 that these terms are used interchangeably to refer to the same people. In other words, each of these pastoral leaders is referred to as an elder, overseer, and shepherd. They are the multiples roles of the individual office. I am using the terms pastor and elder interchangeably as I write this.
(II) Their Number-This is really the key issue! We are espousing team leadership through a plurality of pastors as opposed to a single pastor! We see in the verses quoted above that except when referring to an individual’s qualifications for the office itself (1 Timothy 3:1) and when Peter referred to himself as an elder (1 Peter 5:1) that these names for the pastoral office are always used in the plural. According to Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas ordained elders [plural] in every church [singular]. Paul called for the elders [plural] of the church [singular] at Ephesus (Acts 20:17). Philippians 1:1 refers to “the bishops and deacons” of the church at Philippi. Each of these terms is plural so why should we have a single pastor with multiple deacons instead of a plurality of each? James 5:14 speaks of the ministry of prayer and anointing of oil that the elders are to have to the sick. How can this verse really be followed without having elders? John MacArthur writes, “The biblical norm for church leadership is a plurality of God-ordained elders….Nowhere in Scripture do we find a local assembly ruled by majority opinion or by one pastor.” David Horner writes, “Throughout the biblical usage of the words relating to this office, the words are always in the plural. There is no evidence anywhere in the Bible of a church with one elder charged with the responsibility for the flock. They were appointed to serve collectively as a team to function in leadership over the body of believers committed to their care.” That is what we are seeking to implement. Earl Radmacher writes, “It is interesting to observe that the words ‘the pastor,’ which we use so often would have been strange to their ears. In fact, the definite article {the} is never used with the term ‘pastor’ except when referring to Jesus Christ. Truly, He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd. No other single human being has the same unique qualities that can merit the definite article in front of the title.” Some practical reasons for this set-up are:
The pastoral job is really too much for one man. Elders can be traced historically back through the nation of Israel and the advent of them is found in Exodus 18 when Jethro told Moses to appoint other men to help him because he was wearing himself and the people out by trying to do everything himself.
This avoids a one-man dictatorship.
On the other hand, it protects the pastor from being the lightning rod for all the criticism from the congregation.
It keeps the church from imitating all of a single pastor’s shortcomings.
It gives people with different types of personalities multiple leaders with different types of personalities they can relate to and provides balance for the church.
It provides multiple spiritual gifts to the leadership team instead of the limited giftedness of one man. It will provide everything that is needed and allow elders to focus on their particular areas of giftedness and passion instead of having to try to do everything, including things at which they are not gifted.
It provides built-in accountability and godly counsel. John MacArthur says, “Their combined counsel and wisdom helps assure that decisions are not self-willed or self-serving to a single individual (cf. Prob. 11:14).”
(III) Their Nature
Role-In essence, the pastors are to lead and feed the flock of God.
A pastor is to be a man of God (1 Timothy 6:11). He is to be a spiritual man who walks with the Lord. Godly character is the primary biblical requirement for ministry.
A pastor is to be a man of prayer (1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 6:4). His decisions are to be guided by prayer, and he should pray regularly for his church members and those who do not yet know Christ.
A pastor is to preach and teach the Word of God. His preaching is to be biblical, doctrinally sound, and without compromise (2 Timothy 4:1-5). The apostles said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables….but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2, 4). The one qualification for an elder than is not a character quality is the ability to teach.
A pastor is to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5). An evangelist is one who spreads the gospel. Pastor and evangelist are distinct offices, but evangelism is one of the primary functions of a pastor.
A pastor is to equip the believers to do the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). The pastor’s calling is not to do all the work of the church, but he is to teach and train the people to use their spiritual gifts and function together as a team in doing ministry.
A pastor is to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-4). This is the leading, counseling, caring aspect of pastoral ministry. Prayer for the sick and ministry to the grieving is included also.
A pastor is to be an overseer of the church (1 Peter 5:1). This refers to their role as leaders of the church. Pastors are spoken of as “ruling” in 1 Timothy 5:17 and Hebrews 13:7 and 17. “Rule” means to “preside over,” “to be over,” “to superintend” (according to Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest) and “direct the affairs of the church” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary). It also refers to administrative duties.
A pastor is to be an example to the church (1 Peter 5:1-4). He is to live out his message in front of people. Actions communicate louder than words.
Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)-A pastor is required to be a man of godly character with a good testimony who is seeking to emulate Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 list the requirements for a pastor. They are:
blameless
a man
husband of one wife
self-controlled
sober-minded
a well-ordered life
hospitable
able to teach
not a drinker
not violent
not greedy for money or covetous
gentle and not quarrelsome
rules his own home well and his children are in submission to his authority
not a new Christian
has a good testimony among non-Christians
not self-willed
not quick-tempered
a lover of what is good
just
holy
holds sound doctrine
(IV) Important Questions Regarding This Issue
How does this concept of church government fit with being a Baptist church? It is not a problem for a Baptist church to have this type of governmental/leadership structure. Why? There are at least four reasons. First, other Baptist churches have this type of structure. In fact, it is something that is increasing. Second, we are an autonomous (which means self-governing, independent) local church. We voluntarily cooperate with other Baptist churches in order to do more together than we can do apart but there is no hierarchy than allows others to tell us how to function. Third, our ultimate loyalty is to Christ and His Word and not a denomination. Fourth, there is tremendous historical precedent among Baptist churches for this structure. In fact, I would say that we are going back to our roots by doing this. Here are a few examples. In Tennessee Baptists: A Comprehensive History, 1779-1999, author Albert Wardin Jr. discusses ministerial titles in the 1800’s. He writes, “The common term of address for pastor was elder.” The Thomas Helwys Confession of 1611 (this came from what many historians consider to be the first Baptist church on English soil) says “that the officers of every Church or congregation are either elders, who by their office do especially feed the flock concerning their souls, or deacons…..” The 1660 Standard Confession of Faith speaks of “the elders or pastors which God hath appointed to oversee, and feed his Church.” The 1689 London Baptist Confession; chapter 26, #8, says, “A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ….to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.” The section on the Church, #8, in the 1742 Philadelphia Confession of Faith repeats verbatim what was written in the London Baptist Confession. Edwin Dargan, professor of Homiletics and Ecclesiology at Southern Baptist Seminary at the turn of the 20th century, wrote, “Deacons’ ministries in modern churches tend to encroach upon and absorb that of the eldership. It is greatly to be regretted that there is any decline in the use of so venerable and scriptural a designation of the New Testament office, and a revival of its usage is greatly to be desired.” The original SBC Baptist Faith and Message (1925), section XII-The Gospel Church, says, “Its Scriptural officers are bishops, or elders, and deacons.”
How are the elders and deacons appointed? The elders and deacons are appointed by the elders, deacons, and the congregation working together. The apostles and the congregation worked together in determining the first deacons appointed in Acts 6. We will follow that model in regard to elders and deacons. However, in the appointment and ordination of elders, the decision-making biblically seems to be weighted more towards the other elders than towards the congregation (Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14, 5:21; Titus 1:5). The process for selecting elders will be that when a man is brought on staff the elders will examine him and make a decision as to whether or not he should be an elder in addition to being a staff person. If they decide that the person is called and qualified to be an elder, they will bring him to the congregation for its affirmation and then ordain the man. In regard to elders being appointed from within the congregation, the elders will determine that there is a need to add an elder or elders. They will solicit recommendations from the congregation in regard to men the congregation believes are biblically qualified and also recommend men themselves. These men will go through a detailed process with the elders to determine their qualification and readiness. We will also be doing training on an ongoing basis in order to prepare men for leadership roles. Out of that process, the elders will prayerfully determine those men they believe are called and qualified and present them to the congregation for their affirmation. The elders will then ordain them. In regard to deacons, the elders will ask the congregation to recommend men that they believe are qualified. The elders and deacons will examine them and present those that they believe to be qualified to the congregation for its approval. They will then be ordained.
How are they ordained? They are ordained after extensive examination through the laying on of hands of the elders [and deacons in the case of new deacons being appointed] (Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:21, Titus 1:5). Ordination is essentially the human recognition of that which God has already ordained-His call to ministry.
Are they “full-time staff members” or can they come out of the congregation? It can be either one and probably will be some of each. There will be elders who are “full-time staff members.” However, not every staff member will necessarily be an elder. There will also be elders who arise out of the congregation and serve in that capacity while still working a full-time job in the marketplace.
Is there a special leader above the other leaders? Various churches handle this issue differently, but I believe that the elders are equal. The idea in a plurality of pastors is team leadership that protects the church from a dictatorship. The elders make decisions by consensus as they seek the mind of Christ through searching the Scriptures, prayer, and obtaining godly counsel. However, I also believe that this does not eliminate the concept of a primary Teaching Pastor [1 Timothy 5:17] (although this can be shared as well) who often will serve as the point man in communicating to the church. Practically, there can also be leaders among leaders because of differing levels of maturity and giftedness.
What about financial support for the elders? Pastors have the right to be supported financially in their work to free them up to serve the Lord full-time and churches have the responsibility to provide this financial support (1 Corinthians 9, 1 Timothy 5:17-18). However, pastors also have the right to forego this compensation (1 Corinthians 9:12). Therefore, we will have some paid (possibly both full and part time) elders and some unpaid.
What about starting with only one? This is a practical necessity in many cases. I do not see anything unbiblical about an individual being a solo church planter and leading a church in its beginning stages. However, I do believe that we must have more than one elder in place before we formally constitute as a church in order to be consistent with what I am teaching from the Bible.
What about congregational decision-making? The elder structure with empowered ministry teams lessens the amount of congregational decision-making. We believe this is advantageous because it is correct biblically and helpful practically. However, there will still be some congregational decision-making. However, we want to be clear that any decision made by an individual, group, or the whole congregation really should be looked at as prayerfully seeking the will of the Lord in regard to a particular matter. This will be spelled out in more detail in the Bylaws, but we will have one scheduled congregational meeting a year and others as necessary. The following are some of the issues that must be approved by the congregation: (1) The yearly faith financial plan, (2) The final step in church discipline, (3) The selection of elders and deacons [according to the process laid out in #2], (4) The selection of a primary Teaching Pastor, (5) The decision to purchase property and/or enter into a building program, (6) The selection of trustees, (7) The approval or amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws, (8) Anything else the elders decide the congregation should make a decision about. Also, in regard to dismissing an elder or deacon, it can be done by the elders or it can be done by the congregation as a whole (see question #9).
What if a pastor needs to be relieved of his duties? An important element of the concept of elders is the built-in accountability that it provides. Therefore, the “first line of defense” in dealing with problems is among the elders themselves. They need to help a struggling pastor or bring him before the church for discipline and even removal if necessary (1 Timothy 5:19-20). However, the congregation has the right to ask for the church discipline process to be followed against an elder if it believes the elders are not doing their duty in dealing with a situation. The congregation can ultimately ask for a meeting and vote to remove an elder from his position. The process for this will be spelled out in the Bylaws.
How does the office of elder relate to the other ministries of the congregation? We believe in empowered ministry teams. In other words, the various ministries of the church, while fitting into the overall vision and structure of the church, are run from within for the most part. The elders do not function as dictators over them. However, the elders do have the responsibility and authority to direct and make sure the overall ministry of the church is on track. Therefore, they will serve as a sounding board and help with problems that the individual ministries are having. Also, they will hold the ministries accountable and make sure they are being biblical and fitting in with the overall vision of the church. They will correct problems as needed.
Do the elders and deacons serve for a set period of time or for an indefinite and ongoing amount of time? The Bible is not absolutely clear on this issue so churches handle it in different ways. I do believe, however, that a person is ordained for life unless he disqualifies himself in some way. Thus, the elders and deacons at True Life will be appointed for an indefinite and ongoing amount of time. However, those who are not full-time, paid staff will be given the option of taking a sabbatical from their positions every three years.
Deacons
Role (Acts 6)-The role of the deacon is primarily defined by the meaning of the word. The word literally means “one who waits tables,” “servant,” and “minister.” It is a functional role. The first deacons in Acts 6 were appointed to be pastoral assistants, take care of a problem, and provide benevolence type ministry to the widows. David Horner has written, “The deacons were also called upon to serve the body, but their responsibilities are nowhere specifically defined other than the functional role of servant. They were to serve in whatever capacity they were needed to enable the elders to fulfill their ministry responsibilities and to minister to the needs of the congregation.” The focus of the role of the deacons at True Life will be as ministers to the congregation through small group leaders, involvement in the ministries of the church, direct ministry to families in the congregation, helping take care of the church’s property, administration of the benevolence ministry, and other duties as assigned by the elders. Their service is designed to set an example for the rest of the congregation.
Relationship to the Elders-Elders and deacons are clearly to work together. Deacons are pastoral assistants who are given direction by the elders. Horner writes, “Whereas the elders are called to lead the flock and serve as overseers of the ministry of the church, deacons by the very nature of their position are called to support the leadership of the elders by assuming various aspects of the work load in order to enable them to direct their attention more intently on the priorities set for them in the scriptures.”
Requirements (1 Timothy 3:8-13)-As with the elders, the focus in on character. There are very strict character requirements for deacons that are very similar to the ones listed for pastors. They include: reverence, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, doctrinally sound, tested, blameless, having godly wives, husbands of one wife, and ruling their homes and children well. This demonstrates that God’s focus in regard to qualifications for leadership is on character.
Summary
God-called and gifted men
Multiple pastors with different gifts (a plurality of pastors [elders])
Team leadership
Must meet 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 character qualifications
Must also be able to teach
The Church is not purely a democracy-it is under the headship of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18) and following the blueprint of the Bible.
People should be seeking God’s will through prayer and Scripture study instead of voting based strictly on human opinions and agendas.
Elders have a “ruling” position (1 Timothy 5:17) as they shepherd and lead the flock.
The deacons function as ministers instead of rulers as they assist the pastors in the work of the church.
This cuts down on business and committee meetings.
This is balanced in that it follows the biblical teaching regarding pastoral leadership, but at the same time it keeps the pastor from being a dictator or one-man show.
It acknowledges that one man is not able to do it all because he does not have all of the spiritual gifts or enough time to do the entire ministry by himself.
Part of spiritual maturity is submitting to God-ordained spiritual authority.
Leadership is to be appointed based on giftedness and maturity rather than elected based simply on popularity.
