How should a local church be organized? Who has authority in the church? What role should pastors, deacons, and church members play?
These are not merely questions of church preference. The New Testament gives us a pattern for how Christ intends His churches to function. While faithful Christians may disagree on some details, we believe the biblical model is simple: the church is led by qualified elders, served by qualified deacons, and governed by the congregation under the authority of Christ and His Word.
Elders: Leading and Shepherding the Church
The New Testament consistently presents elders as the spiritual leaders and shepherds of the local church. Paul instructed the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28). Peter likewise commanded elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:1–3).
The qualifications for this office are clearly laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. An elder must be spiritually mature, able to teach, above reproach, and capable of leading his household well.
The New Testament also uses “elder,” “overseer,” and “pastor/shepherd” to describe the same office (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5–7; 1 Peter 5:1–2). This gives us a picture of elders who lead primarily through teaching the Word, shepherding people, protecting the church, and providing spiritual oversight.
Deacons: Serving the Church
The second biblical office is that of deacon. The qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3:8–13, where Paul describes men who are dignified, faithful, tested, and spiritually mature.
Acts 6:1–7 provides an important picture of the kind of ministry deacons perform. While the word “deacon” is not explicitly used in the passage, the apostles entrusted qualified men with caring for practical needs within the church so that the apostles could remain devoted to “prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).
Deacons are therefore not simply “church volunteers.” They hold a recognized office of service designed to strengthen the church, care for its practical needs, protect unity, and support the ministry of the elders.
Congregational Rule: The Church Has a Voice
If elders lead and deacons serve, where does the congregation fit?
The New Testament gives significant responsibility to the members of the local church. Jesus gives the church the responsibility of addressing unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:15–20). Paul commands the Corinthian church to act corporately in matters of church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:4–5). The congregation also participated in recognizing leaders (Acts 6:1–6), receiving members, and making important decisions together (2 Corinthians 2:6).
This is often called congregationalism. It does not mean everyone gets to do whatever they want. Rather, the congregation submits together to the authority of Christ and His Word.
Why This Model?
We believe this model is healthy because it balances leadership, service, and shared responsibility.
Elders cannot do everything. Deacons are not pastors. And church members are not passive spectators.
Instead, each has a God-given role. Elders shepherd. Deacons serve. Members participate, encourage, correct, pray, give, disciple, and hold one another accountable.
Ultimately, Jesus is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18). Elders do not own the church. Deacons do not own the church. The congregation does not own the church.
Christ does.
Biblical church polity, therefore, is not about creating a perfect organizational structure. It is about faithfully ordering Christ’s church according to His Word so that the church can pursue holiness, unity, mission, and the glory of God together.
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