Leadership

The New Testament clearly teaches that the church needs godly leadership to carry out its mission of world evangelization. This is apparent in scriptural examples and precepts. Jesus himself selected the twelve and empowered them. They in turn selected others. As needs emerged and as the Holy Spirit raised gifted new leaders to meet the needs, the church affirmed those called and sent them into ministry. This process continued throughout the New Testament period. As such it becomes a model for any contemporary church that seeks to be true to the Biblical pattern.

The New Testament vests local church leadership in two distinct offices. Basically elders oversee the work of the church and its spiritual well being while deacons tend to the physical and temporal needs of the congregation. Key passages (Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, I Peter 5:1-4) outline the qualifications and duties of each office, but additional insights can be gleaned from many other New Testament verses. (See A Brief View by John Winebrenner for a Biblical study of the various passages and their implications for the church.)

Church Leaders: Biblical Background & Practical Necessity

Church Leaders: Qualifications

Church Leaders: Organization

Selection Process: (Who’s needed & How to choose)
Terms

Church Leaders: Duties and Responsibilities

Senior Pastor:

Standards for Ministerial Credentials?
Readiness for Ministry Document
Other Stuff ? (Selection Process-See …)

Staff: (Employees)

Operations & Policy Manual-Job Descriptions, etc.
Associates: (Credentialed Persons)
Other Staff: Administrative Office, Music, Maintenance, etc.

Executive Officers:

President/Chairperson
Vice President/Chairperson
Church Secretary/Clerk

Financial Officers:

Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Assistants & Others

Other Leaders & Designated Officers

Superintendent/C.E. Director
Commission/Task Team Chairpersons
Teachers
Trustees: Property: Buildings & Grounds, Furnishings, etc.