Elder-led congregationalism refers to a church government structure in which the congregation (church members ), under the headship of Jesus Christ, has the final say. The congregation recognizes and appoints qualified elders to lead and shepherd them. These elders consist of both paid (staff) and unpaid (lay) leaders.
Who's in charge around here?
This year, our church celebrated its 80th Anniversary. In those 80 years, FBC has experienced seasons of blessing as well as seasons of difficulty, but we have not only survived but thrived as a church family. Perhaps, then, you are wondering why we are discussing church leadership. If FBC has done well for this long, why suggest any changes? Several reasons come to mind.
First, one of the strengths of First Baptist is our commitment to the Bible. Over the last 80 years, we have faithfully studied, discussed, and applied the Bible as a community of faith, and God has blessed us for it. It is our conviction that God’s Word is our guide for belief and practice, and we are committed to follow it. Therefore, when we come across a biblical teaching that differs from our current belief and/or practice, we should pause, examine ourselves, and adjust according that truth. It is because of this conviction that we are having this discussion.
Second, we are having this conversation because our culture is changing. Our weekly news is filled with stories of corruption and sin. This does not surprise us since the New Testament world was already experiencing increased sin. Sadly, however, culture often influences the church in negative ways. Over the last several decades, we have seen numerous cases of pastoral abuse and moral failure on national and local levels. In response, churches have suffered from lack of qualified leaders and ruined reputations. It is our conviction that accountability is needed for our pastors, and we believe the New Testament provided a system of accountability in establishing multiple elders in each congregation.
Finally, we are having this conversation because our church is growing in several ways. Several individuals and families have joined our church family over the last few years, and we are experiencing numerical growth. Our leadership team has also grown as we have hired new pastors, ministers, and staff members and elected several new deacons to serve our church. This is an exciting time to be part of FBC Barstow! With this new membership and leadership, now is a good time to discuss leadership structure to assure everyone is on the same page. It is important for us to understand the roles of church members, pastor-elders, deacons, church staff members, and ministry leaders as we move forward. It is our conviction that an elder-led, congregationally-ruled form of church government provides a structure for everyone to know their roles and thrive in ministry.
With these reasons in mind, I am encouraging you to join me in praying through changes to our current leadership structure as a church. The next section details why we believe an elder-led, congregationally-ruled form of government is a biblical, helpful, healthy, and practical model for us to follow as a church. I am excited for this conversation and where it may lead us.
First, one of the strengths of First Baptist is our commitment to the Bible. Over the last 80 years, we have faithfully studied, discussed, and applied the Bible as a community of faith, and God has blessed us for it. It is our conviction that God’s Word is our guide for belief and practice, and we are committed to follow it. Therefore, when we come across a biblical teaching that differs from our current belief and/or practice, we should pause, examine ourselves, and adjust according that truth. It is because of this conviction that we are having this discussion.
Second, we are having this conversation because our culture is changing. Our weekly news is filled with stories of corruption and sin. This does not surprise us since the New Testament world was already experiencing increased sin. Sadly, however, culture often influences the church in negative ways. Over the last several decades, we have seen numerous cases of pastoral abuse and moral failure on national and local levels. In response, churches have suffered from lack of qualified leaders and ruined reputations. It is our conviction that accountability is needed for our pastors, and we believe the New Testament provided a system of accountability in establishing multiple elders in each congregation.
Finally, we are having this conversation because our church is growing in several ways. Several individuals and families have joined our church family over the last few years, and we are experiencing numerical growth. Our leadership team has also grown as we have hired new pastors, ministers, and staff members and elected several new deacons to serve our church. This is an exciting time to be part of FBC Barstow! With this new membership and leadership, now is a good time to discuss leadership structure to assure everyone is on the same page. It is important for us to understand the roles of church members, pastor-elders, deacons, church staff members, and ministry leaders as we move forward. It is our conviction that an elder-led, congregationally-ruled form of church government provides a structure for everyone to know their roles and thrive in ministry.
With these reasons in mind, I am encouraging you to join me in praying through changes to our current leadership structure as a church. The next section details why we believe an elder-led, congregationally-ruled form of government is a biblical, helpful, healthy, and practical model for us to follow as a church. I am excited for this conversation and where it may lead us.
Why Elder-Led Congregationalism?
It is Biblical
The New Testament clearly establishes the local church with two “offices” of qualified leaders: elders (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9) and deacons (Acts 6:1-4; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-13).
The titles "overseer" (1 Tim 3:1) and "pastor" (Eph 4:11) are used interchangeably with elders (Acts 20:17, 28) and have the same tasks of leading (Acts 20:28) and teaching (1 Tim 3:2; 5:17). Therefore, we believe these titles refer to the same office, and the term elder is the most used.
The New Testament evidences multiple elders as the most common practice among local churches. Virtually every reference to church elders in the New Testament is plural with a few minor exceptions that can be explained (e.g. 1 Tim 5:19; 2 Jn 1; 3 Jn 1; 1 Pet 5:1).
There is no example of a solo elder leading a church in the New Testament, but there is evidence of a plurality of elders in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30), Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe (Acts 14:23), Ephesus (Acts 20:17; 1 Tim 5:17), Philippi (Phil 1:1), cities of Crete (Titus 1:5), the churches in the dispersion (Jas 5:14), Roman churches (1 Pet 1:1), and possibly the churches to which Hebrews was written (Heb 13:7, 17, 24).
The titles "overseer" (1 Tim 3:1) and "pastor" (Eph 4:11) are used interchangeably with elders (Acts 20:17, 28) and have the same tasks of leading (Acts 20:28) and teaching (1 Tim 3:2; 5:17). Therefore, we believe these titles refer to the same office, and the term elder is the most used.
The New Testament evidences multiple elders as the most common practice among local churches. Virtually every reference to church elders in the New Testament is plural with a few minor exceptions that can be explained (e.g. 1 Tim 5:19; 2 Jn 1; 3 Jn 1; 1 Pet 5:1).
There is no example of a solo elder leading a church in the New Testament, but there is evidence of a plurality of elders in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30), Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe (Acts 14:23), Ephesus (Acts 20:17; 1 Tim 5:17), Philippi (Phil 1:1), cities of Crete (Titus 1:5), the churches in the dispersion (Jas 5:14), Roman churches (1 Pet 1:1), and possibly the churches to which Hebrews was written (Heb 13:7, 17, 24).
It is helpful
This form of church government provides help for our pastors and staff. The call of the pastor-elder includes various roles including humble leadership (1 Tim 3:4-5; 5:17; Rom 12:8), shepherding (Eph 4:11; Acts 20:28-29), teaching (1 Tim 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9), and equipping church members (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:1-2).
Multiple elders help “spread the wealth” of giftings and experience to fulfill these roles, as no single pastor is gifted equally in all of these roles. They effectively share the burden of ministry (Eccl 4:9-12), including in difficult tasks such as church discipline (Mt 18:15-20).
While there is still room for “staff” elders, including a “senior pastor,” all elders share the same qualifications and, thus, equal authority. The ability to include lay (unpaid) elders allows the church more financial freedom.
Multiple elders help “spread the wealth” of giftings and experience to fulfill these roles, as no single pastor is gifted equally in all of these roles. They effectively share the burden of ministry (Eccl 4:9-12), including in difficult tasks such as church discipline (Mt 18:15-20).
While there is still room for “staff” elders, including a “senior pastor,” all elders share the same qualifications and, thus, equal authority. The ability to include lay (unpaid) elders allows the church more financial freedom.
It is healthy
The Bible is clear on the qualifications of elders in godliness (1 Tim 3:1-7). Elders must be mature Christians and examples godliness, and they point the church to holiness through their leadership.
A plurality of elders provides a safeguard of accountability for our pastors. Elders are qualified and called to confront one another (Gal 2:11-14) and help keep a watch on themselves (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 4:16). A team of elders will help foster maturity and godliness (Heb 3:12-13) as they challenge one another and church members to grow (Heb 10:24).
A plurality of elders provides a safeguard of accountability for our pastors. Elders are qualified and called to confront one another (Gal 2:11-14) and help keep a watch on themselves (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 4:16). A team of elders will help foster maturity and godliness (Heb 3:12-13) as they challenge one another and church members to grow (Heb 10:24).
It is practical
An elder-led, congregationally-ruled church government provides clarification for leaders as the Bible gives qualifications for both pastor-elders (1 Tim 3:1-7) and deacons (1 Tim 3:8-13). Elders and deacons are two separate offices with separate qualifications, and they should be treated as such.
The role of deacons is an important role, as all gifts are from God (1 Cor 12:11) and are needed for the church to function properly (1 Cor 12:22-25).
While the tasks of deacons aren’t clearly spelled out in the New Testament, the tasks of elders are more clearly stated in the roles of teaching and shepherding. However, the name “deacon” means “servant,” and New Testament examples demonstrate that deacons primarily lead through service (Acts 6:1-6).
In short, this form of church government allows deacons to serve as deacons and elders to serve as elders without as much confusion.
The role of deacons is an important role, as all gifts are from God (1 Cor 12:11) and are needed for the church to function properly (1 Cor 12:22-25).
While the tasks of deacons aren’t clearly spelled out in the New Testament, the tasks of elders are more clearly stated in the roles of teaching and shepherding. However, the name “deacon” means “servant,” and New Testament examples demonstrate that deacons primarily lead through service (Acts 6:1-6).
In short, this form of church government allows deacons to serve as deacons and elders to serve as elders without as much confusion.