What is the nature of biblical church leadership; the role, responsibilities, limits, and exclusions? And why do those exist?
I want to define three categories of church leadership and their corresponding responsibilities that I see in Scripture. As I’m using “the ministry,” it will also cause me to write an addition post where I ask the question, “What is the work of the church?”
I also want to be clear that I believe Scripture puts definitions on church leadership, and as such God has a distinct way in which He wills His church be led. But Scripture shapes rather than contains church leadership – in many areas it is more precise than merely giving principles, but in other areas it does merely gives principles (such as, should a modern church staff offer a paternity/maternity leave policy?), and in other areas of modern church leadership the Bible doesn’t talk specifically at all (how many weeks of paid vacation should a church leader be paid? ‘a worker is worth his wages,’ but do we allow state minimum wage to define that “worth”? what is an effective hierarchical leadership org chart for a staff team? what percentage of budget should be devoted to AVL needs/international missions/staff development/building and utilities?).
In this complexity, Scripture shapes our approach to church leadership. Where Scripture is precise, we should be precise. But where Scripture is vague, unclear, or inconclusive, we shouldn’t immediately assume such issues are beyond the scope of the church (the Bible doesn’t say anything about modern projectors! our churches shouldn’t have them!). Rather, we should move in wisdom and through the leadership of the Spirit (primarily through the elders, as discussed below). This is a soft rejection of the Regulative Principle of Worship, which, while I see merit in some of it’s principles, doesn’t quite jive with my hermeneutic.
Biblically, however, I see three areas of church leadership: elders, deacons, and the congregation. I began this post with extensive definitions of each of these areas, but have since moved those descriptions to their own (in progress) posts. I’ll backlink and edit this post as I complete those.
Elders – Discern the ministry. I also use the phrases “Discern and Discipline,” or “Guide and Guard.” Also known as Overseers.
Elders are responsible for discerning God’s leadership of the church through the Spirit. They are a unique leadership structure, not primarily concerned with making “wise leadership decisions” like a board of directors might in a secular organization, but instead listening for and hearing God’s leading and direction for His church (which, admittedly, should lead to ‘wise leadership decisions’). It is directly through the elders that God leads His church.
Elders are concerned with righteousness and unity. As such, this leadership takes two primary shapes. The first is vision casting or direction setting for the church as a whole, in line with God’s priorities and leading. The second is the oversight of church discipline, both on a church-wide scale (guarding the doctrine or principles of the church) and an individual scale (excommunication).
Deacons – Direct the ministry. Organizational and administrative.
Deacons define an element of church leadership that is responsible for directing the ministry, which includes administrating, structuring, overseeing, and leading the work and activities of the church. They are more “practical” and “hands-on,” often overseeing finances, teams, tools, facilities, and materials. Their role is to organize the work of the church. They work closely with the elders.
In my estimation, the vast majority of paid staff on modern, multi-staff non denominational churches fill the role of deacon.
Congregation – Do the ministry.
The congregation is the whole the church, including elders and deacons and all other church members – the whole sum of the church. I’ll write about membership later, but there is an implicit and explicit membership – the implicit are those who are part of a local church, seeking to faithfully follow Jesus. The implicit membership is known only to God. The explicit membership is the church’s best understanding of the implicit membership – often put through some sort of a process.
The congregation, definitionally, are those elected by God to comprise His Body and therefore do His work here on earth.
The work of the church is done by the congregation, discerned by the elders, and directed by the deacons.
Questions and Follow-up:
Content for future posts:
Perhaps too many to list here…
What is the work of the church?
What is a ‘pastor:’ an elder, deacon, or something else entirely?
How does a pastor relate to the elders or deacons, other staff, and congregation?
What is the distinction between gifts and roles?
What are the biblical requirements for elders, deacons, and the congregation? How should elders be appointed? Deacons?
What is church membership? Is it necessary or helpful to create a distinction between the implicit and explicit membership? What should a church membership process look like?
How do the sacramental (do I like that word?) elements relate to membership? Should communion be open or closed? Should non-baptized congregants be allowed as members? Should the church baptize believers but not make them members?
How should a church service interact separately with members or non-members? Should small groups allow non-member? Should service teams allow non-members?