Leadership

The consistent pattern throughout the New Testament is that each local body of believers is is shepherded by a plurality of called and qualified male elders/pastors. Just as men are called to lovingly lead their families, qualified men are called to lovingly govern and lead the church. Simply stated, this is the only pattern for church leadership given in the New Testament. Elders are charged with three primary responsibilities as outlined in 1 Peter 5:1-4: 

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 

Elders shepherd the flock (Relational: Know, Love, Disciple the sheep), exercise oversight (Organizational: Govern & Protect the sheep), and serve as examples (Personal: Model health for the sheep). Throughout the New Testament we also see the need for a senior leader called to lead the team of elders and other domains of the church (our Lead Pastor). He is a first-among-equals; a leader of leaders who is accountable to the rest of the team and shares equal authority with the rest of the elder team. The elders of our church have a big job. We’d love for you to regularly pray for our elders as they seek to follow Jesus and govern our church.  *For more on our position on men and women, see our statement of faith: “Creation of Humanity” here, or see our Membership Handbook.