Church Leadership

The church is a kingdom over which Christ rules as king (1 Timothy 6:15; John 18:37; John 19:19).  Christians are citizens in this kingdom (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:9).  The world is the territory of this kingdom (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  The new birth is the way we enter this kingdom (John 3:5).

One Head/One King–Christ

The church is the body of Christ and Christ is its only head (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4).  He has all authority (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 1:18).  He has never given this authority to anyone else.  Because Christ is the head, we take our instructions from Him.  Because He is king, we must obey Him (Ephesians 5:24).
The church has no earthly headquarters.  The headquarters of Christ’s church is in Heaven.  Each congregation of the Lord’s body is independent and self-ruling.  There is no pope, council, conference, or group of people controlling all the congregations of the Lord’s body

Elders

Elders are to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).  In the New Testament, elders are also called presbyters-King James Version (1 Timothy 4:14); bishops (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1,2); overseers (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2); pastors (Ephesians 4:11,12); and shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-4).  The word “pastor” is simply another word for “shepherd.”  Preachers are never called pastors in the New Testament.  

Deacons

Preachers / Ministers

     Preachers have the responsibility to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-5).  As with elders and deacons, preachers are males (1 Timothy 2:8-15).  They are evangelists, ministers of the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:5).  In the New Testament, preachers are never called by titles such as “Pastor,” “Reverend,” “Doctor,” or “Father” (Matthew 23:8-12).