The Bible does not prescribe a specific church hierarchy or governmental structure. However, there are some biblical principles that can help guide how churches are structured and led.
Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church
The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23 states, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” Colossians 1:18 echoes this: “He is the head of the body, the church.” Jesus Christ has supremacy and authority over the church. He directs and builds his church through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Elders/Overseers
The New Testament refers to church leaders as elders, overseers, and shepherds. These terms seem to describe the same office and used interchangeably (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Elders were appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) and entrusted with the oversight of the congregation. Their responsibilities included teaching sound doctrine, caring for the spiritual needs of the members, and providing godly leadership and direction (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
Deacons
Deacons are another office mentioned in the New Testament (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). They assisted the elders by attending to the practical and physical needs of the church. This enabled the elders to focus on shepherding the spiritual needs of the congregation. The qualifications for deacons emphasized character, integrity, and service.
Plurality of Elders
Every New Testament church had multiple elders/overseers leading the congregation (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1). This plurality of elders provided accountability, shared responsibility, and wisdom through their complementary gifts and ministry focus. The biblical pattern seems to be qualified men jointly pastoring the local church.
Congregational Involvement
While elders provided spiritual leadership, the congregation was also actively involved, especially in the selection of leaders. For example, the Jerusalem church chose seven men to serve as deacons (Acts 6:1-6). And Paul instructed Titus to “appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5) – implying the involvement of the church members.
Male Leadership
The New Testament reserves the office of elder/pastor for qualified men (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). This position involves authority and teaching, so God designed men to fulfill this role in the church (1 Timothy 2:11-14). Both men and women, of course, play vital roles in ministry, just in different capacities based on their God-given design.
Servant Leadership
While the New Testament establishes a defined church structure and leadership roles, it maintains that these leaders are called first and foremost to be servants. Jesus said that true leadership is servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28). Peter exhorted elders not to be domineering but to be examples of humility and to shepherd willingly and eagerly (1 Peter 5:1-4). Church leaders follow the model of Jesus, who came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45).
Submission to Leaders
Christians are called to submit to the authority of church leaders within scriptural bounds. Hebrews 13:17 states: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” Respecting and following godly leadership facilitates church health and mission. But all human authority is under Christ’s supreme authority.
Variety in Application
While the New Testament provides these guiding principles, it does not mandate a single mode of church polity or structure. There is freedom for each congregation to operate within biblical parameters. For example, Presbyterian churches are governed by elders and committees while Congregational churches emphasize the authority of the local church body. Yet both aim to apply scriptural principles.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Any church structure or leadership role is empowered only by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the church into all truth (John 16:13). Paul said church leaders should rely on the Spirit’s power (Zechariah 4:6). Man-made institutions and authority structures easily fall into error when not submitted to Christ and led by the Spirit.
In summary, the Bible emphasizes Jesus Christ as supreme head of the church. Local churches should be led by a plurality of qualified, male elders/pastors who serve, teach, and guide the congregation. Deacons meet physical needs so that elders can focus on spiritual oversight. The congregation participates actively, especially in choosing leaders. While scripture provides these principles, it allows diversity in how each church is structured. Above all, the Holy Spirit must empower every church body and leadership role.
Offices of the Church
The New Testament identifies three main church offices or leadership roles: elders/overseers, deacons, and deaconesses.
Elders/Overseers
As mentioned, elders (from the Greek presbuteros) and overseers (episkopos) refer to the same role. The qualifications for this office are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the church. Their duties include:
- Teaching and preaching sound doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9)
- Shepherding the congregation and caring for their spiritual needs (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2)
- Praying for the sick and providing biblical counsel (James 5:14)
- Guarding the church from false teaching (Acts 20:28-31)
- Giving direction and leadership to the church (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17)
- Modeling Christian maturity and setting an example (1 Peter 5:3)
Deacons
The office of deacon (diakonos in Greek) is described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons assist the elders by looking after the physical and practical needs of the church. Their duties include:
- Serving the church and performing charitable works (Acts 6:1-6)
- Handling logistics to free up elders for spiritual ministry (Acts 6:2-4)
- Attending to facilities, finances, and administration
- Visiting and caring for church members in need
Deaconesses
Some churches also appoint deaconesses, women who perform servant ministries for the church (Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:11). Their role is similar to that of deacons – meeting practical needs to allow elders to focus on shepherding responsibilities.
Church Members
Every believer has an important role in the body of Christ. Some key responsibilities of church members include:
- Using their gifts to edify the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:11-16)
- Participating in congregational meetings and decisions (Acts 6:2-6; 15:22)
- Partnering in ministry and service (1 Corinthians 16:15-16; Philippians 1:3-5)
- Praying for church leaders and ministries (Ephesians 6:18-20)
- Supporting the work of the church financially (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- Attending services faithfully (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Preserving unity and loving one another (John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:1-6)
Every member, not just the leaders, have an indispensable part in the functioning and health of the church.
Plurality of Leadership
The consistent New Testament pattern was a plurality of elders/pastors jointly leading each local church. Some reasons this model was used include:
- Shared Responsibility – No one man carried the burden alone (Acts 15:22; 1 Peter 5:1)
- Accountability – Elders could hold each other accountable (Matthew 18:15-17)
- Complementary Gifts – Elders brought diverse abilities and ministry focuses (Exodus 18:14-26)
- Protection from Error – The wisdom of many guarded against individual mistakes
- Continuity – New elders could be raised up over time
Having multiple qualified elders ensured church health and vibrancy for the long term.
Authority and Submission
The New Testament calls Christians to submit to church leaders but only as they follow Christ. Scripture contains several principles on authority and submission in the church:
- Leaders must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9)
- Congregations are to obey and submit to their leaders (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
- Leaders must exercise authority humbly and by example, not by force (Mark 10:42-45; 1 Peter 5:1-3)
- Leaders are accountable to God for how they lead (Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1)
- Congregations must test teaching and reject false doctrine (Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:6-9)
- Christ is the head of the church and has supreme authority (Colossians 1:18)
Biblical church leadership requires a balance – leaders guiding humbly while congregation members submit respectfully.
Women in Church Leadership
Women served in vital ministry roles in the early church, but the office of elder/pastor was committed to qualified men. Reasons for this distinction include:
- Elders exercise spiritual authority, so God designed men to fulfill this role (1 Timothy 2:12-14)
- The elders/pastors are to be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)
- Jesus’ 12 apostles were all male, setting a precedent for church leadership
- In the law and the prophets, leadership is predominantly male (Isaiah 3:12)
At the same time, Paul affirms women prophesying in the church (1 Corinthians 11:5). Priscilla helped instruct Apollos more accurately (Acts 18:24-28). Women like Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), Tryphena and Tryphosa (Romans 16:12) served in invaluable ways. Women can hold positions of influence while respecting the calling of qualified men to lead as pastors/elders.
Marks of a Healthy Biblical Church
More important than structure, the New Testament emphasizes the characteristics that should mark a healthy, biblical church:
- Sound doctrine and biblical teaching (Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:2)
- Christ-centered worship (John 4:23-24; Ephesians 5:19-20)
- Prayer (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 6:18)
- Fellowship and caring relationships (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25; John 13:34-35))
- Spiritual growth and discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-16)
- Evangelism and outreach (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)
- Stewardship and generosity (2 Corinthians 8-9)
- Unity and love (John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:3)
These “one anothers” of the New Testament are essential for any church, no matter its leadership structure.
Diversity within Biblical Parameters
The New Testament allows diversity in church government within scriptural principles. For example:
- Presbyterian polity – Ruled by elders organized into local sessions and general assemblies
- Congregational polity – Each local church is self-governing and autonomous
- Episcopal polity – Ruled by bishops in a hierarchy of increasing authority
- Single pastor – One senior pastor leads assisted by associate pastors
The Bible leaves room for each congregation to organize itself in a biblical manner within its context, culture, and needs.
Avoiding Unbiblical Models
Some church government structures that can stray from biblical principles include:
- Highly authoritarian or dictator-led
- Cult of personality revolving around one dominant leader
- Lacking accountability or placing leaders above criticism
- Excessively hierarchical
- Lay congregation denied voice or vote
- Nominating or appointing leaders without input from the congregation
Churches must always evaluate their practices against the principles taught in God’s Word.
The Holy Spirit Empowers and Directs
The New Testament emphasizes that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts and enables every member to build up the church and participate in its mission (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:3-8). Any authority structure or leadership role must rely fully on the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the church into truth and testify about Him (John 15:26). Paul asserts that the church’s foundation is Jesus Christ and it is built by the Spirit’s power working through God’s people (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; Ephesians 2:19-22). Any church leadership or governance model that hinders the Spirit’s work within the congregation will falter.
In summary, the Bible establishes principles of church government and leadership but allows diversity in application. The essential biblical foundations are the headship of Christ, governance by qualified and servant-hearted elders/pastors assisted by deacons, and the active participation of the local congregation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
