Church Leadership

There are more instructions given in the New Testament regarding elders than on other important church subjects such as baptism, the Lord’s supper, or the Lord’s day. In the history of the church this instruction concerning church organization has often been ignored and the secular models of monarchy (episcopal), oligarchy (Presbyterian), and democracy (congregational) have been followed. The greatest danger followed when a single elder began to preside and ultimately became the chief authority. One person became the bishop of the church. With the threats to the church it was more efficient for one individual to make decisions, guard the doctrine of the church, and exercise discipline over false teachers or believers causing disturbances. When this kind of authority was combined with an autocratic spirit, it became a great detriment to the church. But the practice of the church in later centuries is not our authority for the practice of church today. When the New Testament gives us a consistent pattern and couples that with specific instructions concerning the qualifications and practices of elders, why should this area of Scripture be less authoritative for us than others?

John H. Fish III, “The Life of the Local Church: The Structure, Ministry, and Functions of the Church,” The Emmaus Journal, Vol.6/No.1,  pg. 12