The Bible does not prescribe one specific form of church government. There are several principles and examples in Scripture that can help guide Christians in determining the biblical model. Ultimately, the New Testament emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and church leadership should faithfully seek to follow His authority and example.
Christ as Head of the Church
The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. After His resurrection and ascension, He was given authority over the church (Ephesians 1:20-23). As the head, Christ governs the church and it is to be subject to Him in all things (Ephesians 5:23-24). This indicates that Christ alone has supreme authority in the church.
The church submits to Christ by obeying His Word and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Church government should never overrule or contradict Christ’s authority. All forms and functions of church government must come under His lordship. The church belongs to Christ and all its leaders are under-shepherds accountable to Him (1 Peter 5:4).
Plurality of Elders
The most common pattern seen in the New Testament is a plurality of elders leading each local church. The word “elder” refers to spiritually mature men who oversee and shepherd the congregation. The related term “overseer” (bishop) emphasizes their authority and responsibility to supervise and lead.
In the book of Acts, elders were appointed in newly established churches (Acts 14:23). James instructs sick believers to call the elders to pray over them (James 5:14). Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock under their care (1 Peter 5:1-2). Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions on appointing elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9).
The consistent picture is that each church had multiple elders/overseers who jointly provided spiritual care and leadership for the congregation. There is no indication of one elder functioning as the sole bishop over multiple churches. The terms elder, overseer, and pastor refer to the same office and are used interchangeably (Titus 1:5-7, 1 Peter 5:1-2).
Deacons
Another leadership role mentioned in the New Testament is that of deacon. The word means “servant” and refers to those who serve the church in practical needs. Qualifications for deacons are listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Unlike elders who focused on spiritual oversight, deacons provided logistical and material support for the congregation.
One example of deacons serving the church is found in Acts 6:1-6. Seven men were appointed to distribute food and meet physical needs so that the apostles could remain focused on prayer and preaching. The role of deacon developed to meet practical service needs in the church.
Congregational Involvement
While elders provided spiritual leadership, the New Testament also indicates that the broader congregation was involved in certain decisions under this oversight. In Acts 6, it was the whole church that selected the seven men to serve as deacons. Acts 15 describes an important council meeting in Jerusalem to discuss whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised. Verse 22 says that “it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church” to select representatives to send to Antioch with a letter about their decision.
These examples show the congregation participating together with the elders to make important decisions under the apostles’ authority. The church was not detached from the process but actively united around the leadership.
Principles to Guide Church Government
While the Bible does not rigidly define one structure, several principles emerge that can guide church government:
- Jesus Christ is the supreme head and authority over the church in all matters (Colossians 1:18).
- Elders/overseers are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the church (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-2).
- Deacons meet practical and material needs in the church (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
- The congregation is involved in affirming decisions under the elders’ guidance (Acts 6:1-6, 15:22).
- Church discipline for unrepentant sin is to be conducted by the church (Matthew 18:15-20).
- Leaders should serve humbly as models to the flock (1 Peter 5:3, Hebrews 13:7).
Within these biblical principles, some freedom and diversity can exist in how church government is structured. The key is that Christ remains first and His Word guides and directs every aspect of church life.
Common Forms of Church Government
Several basic forms of church government have developed over history that seek to incorporate biblical principles:
Episcopalian
This structure has three levels of authority. At the top are bishops who oversee multiple churches and pastors. Below them are local pastors who lead the congregation. And at the congregational level, committees are formed to guide different ministries. The Episcopalian model emphasizes apostolic succession through the line of bishops.
Presbyterian
Led by elected elders, the Presbyterian model has four levels. At the top is the general assembly. Below that are regional synods, then local presbyteries that oversee multiple churches. Elders and deacons are elected to lead the local congregation. The Presbyterian system has a representational hierarchy.
Congregational
As an autonomous, self-governing church, the congregational model gives authority to the members who vote to elect their pastoral and lay leaders. All major decisions are voted on by the membership. Deacons or committees carry out different practical ministries. Congregational churches focus on the priesthood of all believers.
Other models include single elder-led, plural elder-led, blended, and cell group-based structures. Each attempts to balance biblical principles with providing effective spiritual care and oversight for churches.
Key Figures in Church Government
Certain individuals played influential roles in establishing some common forms of church government:
John Calvin
The 16th century Reformer was key in developing Presbyterian polity in Geneva. Elders oversaw doctrine and members’ conduct. A consistory guided wider church matters. Calvin emphasized church discipline and social morality.
Thomas Cranmer
As Archbishop of Canterbury, Cranmer was instrumental in shaping Anglicanism. He compiled the Book of Common Prayer and 39 Articles summarizing Anglican doctrine. Bishops overseeing defined geographic districts defined his episcopal structure.
Menno Simons
This former Catholic priest left the priesthood and joined the Anabaptist movement in the 1500s. His followers became known as Mennonites. Congregational governance and a separation of church and state defined his views embraced by Mennonite churches.
John Smyth
An English Separatist, Smyth was a forerunner of the Baptists. Around 1609, he established the first Baptist church in Amsterdam that was self-governing under Christ rather than submitting to Anglicanism. This congregational approach influenced many future Baptist churches.
Evaluating Church Government Structures
When evaluating different forms of church government, several factors can be considered:
- Does it faithfully exalt Christ as the head of the church?
- Are spiritual leaders clearly defined and accountable?
- Is there a balance of leadership oversight and congregational involvement?
- Does it follow the guidance and principles of Scripture?
- Is there an effective process for appointing and replacing leaders?
- Are there adequate procedures for discipline and restoring wandering members?
- Does it encourage unity, cooperation, and mutual care within the church?
- Can it adapt and respond to new needs and changing circumstances?
The Bible allows diversity in application, but a church’s government should empower ministry, preserve unity, protect doctrine, and glorify Christ above all.
Key Passages
Several biblical passages are especially relevant to the topic of church government and leadership:
- Acts 6:1-6 – Appointing deacons to meet practical needs
- Acts 14:23 – Appointing elders in the churches
- Acts 15:1-35 – Jerusalem council resolves debate over circumcision
- 1 Timothy 3:1-13 – Qualifications for overseers and deacons
- Titus 1:5-9 – Appointing elders and the desired qualities
- Hebrews 13:17 – Obedience and submission to church leaders
- James 5:14 – Calling for the elders to pray and anoint
- 1 Peter 5:1-5 – Instructions to elders to shepherd and oversee
These and other passages portray the collaborative teamwork between church leaders and congregations seen in the New Testament church.
The Priority of Christ-like Service
Regardless of the structure, the emphasis of church leadership should be on equipping believers for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-16). Following Jesus’ example, leadership begins with servanthood. Church government does not exist to control people but to nurture their gifts and empower their ministries for the glory of God.
The central issue is not adherence to a rigid system but the heart motivation that drives leadership. Church government should enhance, not hinder, the development of Christ-like character among believers and the advancement of the gospel mission (Matthew 28:18-20).
God cares more about the quality of love demonstrated than the details of structure. While order and organization help, they must not eclipse the primacy of Christ and the priority of servanthood. The church comprises pilgrim people united in their devotion to the Savior. How they are governed is secondary as long as He remains first in everything.
The New Testament contains examples and principles that can guide church government, but the Bible allows considerable latitude in how these are applied. Most critical is that the system enables effective pastoral care, preaching of the Word, discipleship in the faith, practice of the ordinances, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Church government should serve the unity of believers, the growth of spiritual maturity, and the glory due to the head of the church, Jesus Christ. He is Lord over His people and Head of His body. All church polity flows out of submission to Him.
