BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
our belief and practice
“The saying is trustworthy: ‘If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.’ Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
ELDERS
The word "overseer" in the New Testament is from the Greek word "episkopos" and means "superintendent, overseer, or guardian." God, in His sovereign rule is the Great Superintendent, Overseer, and Guardian of the created world. From His nature, He has granted His Church faithful men to guard, shepherd, and oversee the affairs of local churches as under-shepherds or "elders." The purpose of His Church is to "proclaim His excellencies" by proclaiming the Good News of a God willing to die in order to redeem a rebellious people. His Church is one of the primary ways He displays Himself, along with His Word and His Creation (1 Peter 2:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 1:19-21).
This means that all who aspire and consent to the position of elder are accountable to God for how they teach, preach, live, and serve His Church. For those who govern as men under His authority and within the boundaries He has given, God is honored. For those who govern outside the bounds of His will - in pride, ignorance, and injustice - they'll be held accountable by Him and to Him because they attempt to govern outside of His granted authority.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Elders primarily shepherd the local church through the ministry of the Word and through Prayer (Acts 6:2-4).
In practice biblical elders are to: pursue integrity and godly character (be above reproach), abide in loving faithfulness and good stewardship in their original marriage (husband of one wife or one-woman man), cultivate minds governed by prayer, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit (sober-minded), eagerly consent to the will of God in their way of life (self-controlled), live respectably by all who know them (respectable), be committed to loving strangers, friends, and enemies (hospitable), willingly, clearly, and competently teach the Bible, apply the Gospel, and refute those who contradict it (able to teach). Practice self-control as they partake or choose not to partake of alcohol (not a drunkard), practice violence neither in word or deed (not violent but gentle), not be prone to divisiveness or quarrels, but correct opponents with gentleness and reason; asking forgiveness quickly where warranted (not quarrelsome), practice generosity with money and possessions (not a lover of money), be alert, organized, and skilled in cultivating order as he leads his family (manage his household well), be men of mature faith, having their faith tested in time and experience (not a recent convert, humble), and respected by those outside the faith and those in proximity to his life - neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc (thought well of by outsiders).
In essence, biblical elders are to: be gospel-gripped men who are simultaneously tough and tender.