Church Leadership Structure – Part One

Church leadership has been gravely altered through the years. So much so that today the Church has a difficult time understanding who is a leader, what are leaders responsibilities, and what is the leadership structure in the Church.

Instead of going to the Christian bookstore or the seminary classroom I propose we go to the Scriptures to find how God desires His Church to be organized. We have ample and authoritative material in our Bibles to direct each congregation on leadership structure.

First, we find that God has exalted His Son, Jesus, to be Lord and High Priest of the Church universal (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 4:14; Revelation 19:16). He is the Chief Shepherd of the Church (1 Peter 1:4).

Second, the Lord has established leadership roles of service. Ephesians 4:11 reveals four distinct leader-servant roles, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Pastor Teachers. It would seem that two of these leader-servant positions are still actively present in the Church today. My thoughts here are not to explore Apostolic Succession or the role of a Prophet. I am being practical for the Church today.

We see Paul and Barnabas going back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. As they proceeded to revisit the new congregations they appointed Elders in each Church. We should note that Elders must be an important leadership role or Paul and Barnabas would not have been appointing them. Also, the term Elder means “an older man.” The term was used for leaders of wisdom. Age may not have been as important as personal maturity, given respect, and willingness to serve. The Old Testament and the Gospels can be studied for such information.

An issue came to Paul that he desired to seek the counsel of the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem over (Acts 15:2). The Elders were a decision making group. Also, we always see the term Elder in the plural indicating a team of Elders not just one leading the congregation.

Paul gave Timothy and Titus some detailed qualifications to determine who should be Elders (1 Timothy 3:1-6 & Titus 1:5-9). These are not suggestions, but guidelines to follow for evaluating men for such a position. Yes, men. The term is in the masculine and always refers to men. Again, this post is not a study on the role of women in the Church and I would rather stick to the subject.

God works through the Apostle Paul to warn the Ephesian Elders to watch for false teachers (Acts 20:17-32). He calls the “Elders” to meet with him (vs. 17). He tells them the Holy Spirit has made them “Overseers” (vs. 28). He also reminds them they are to “Shepherd” (vs. 28). We find the prominent responsibilities of an Elder from these terms used of Paul. Peter also used these terms for these particular leaders (1 Peter 5:1-4).

The term Overseer is one that can be translated Bishop or Administrator. It means to watch over and administrate the affairs of. It is a term describing a work. It isn’t a title as such, but a description of an Elders service.

The word Shepherd can be translated Pastor. It means to tend, feed, protect, and care for the flock of God, His people (Acts 20:28). Again, the term is not a title, but a description of service.

The Elders are to be respected men able to teach and refute false teaching. They may be preaching Elders who receive a salary (1Timothy 5:17-18).  They are to be respected, but not revered. We never find in the New Testament Scriptures a senior Elder/Pastor.

Since Paul and Barnabas were appointing Elders in the cities they had started congregations and not leaving an Evangelist at the Churches it would seem that capable Elder teams could oversee, and shepherd the congregations without an Evangelist on site.

The next post will be Church Leadership Structure Part Two. I will write about the Evangelist and the preaching ministry.

Hillbilly Theologian