An Elder Led, Elder Ruled Local Church
The church is God’s called out ones from every nation, tribe, and tongue throughout history (Rev 5:9; 7:9). The members comprise Christ’s body over which He is head (Col 1:18). Thus, the Bible identifies one Leader of God’s holy nation of royal priests (Mt 23:10; 1 Pet 2:9). He is Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus Christ is King and Lord, Lord over all (Acts 10:36).
The church belongs to Christ because He alone purchased her with His precious blood when He suffered and died on the cross of Calvary (Acts 20:28). The blood of Christ has released us from our sins (Rev 1:5). It has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. He paid the ransom to set us free from bondage to the law of sin and death (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45). We have been bought for a price (1 Cor 6:20).
Together, we serve a risen Savior, who has sat down at the right hand of Majesty (Heb 1:3; 8:3; 12:24). All authority in heaven and earth belongs to His rule and reign (Mt 28:18; 1 Tim 6:15). It is the kingdom of Christ that is here and now on the earth, in the Spirit (Rom 14:17; Col 1:13). Just as we are members of one body (Rom 12:4–5; 1 Cor 12:12, 14, 18), we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Phil 3:20). Hence, we are ambassadors for Christ in a world that is hostile to Him (2 Cor 5:20). We bear witness of King Jesus in every place (Acts 1:8).
God has ordained local churches to be His embassies in every location. We are Spirit-filled believers being equipped for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:12; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 13:21). We have a ministry of reconciliation; and we are gifted by the Holy Spirit to perform tasks of ministry prepared beforehand to do (Eph 2:10). It is God indwelling each believer who wills and does His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
The Holy Spirit leads us (Is 63:14; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18). The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth (Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). We are helped and comforted by this third Person of the Trinity. The Spirit of Christ is our Teacher (Jn 14:26); and we are His disciples. Through all of this activity we must recognize our being set apart from the world to be holy as he is holy (1 Pet 1:15–16). The Spirit of holiness conforms us into the image of the only begotten Son of God (Rom 1:4; 8:29; 2 Cor 7:1), through His sanctifying work (1 Pet 1:2)
In the revelation of God, we learn something of God’s order for His church. We gather on the first day of the week, Sunday, for corporate worship, as did the early church (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2). We pray, sing, and hear from God’s holy Word, the Bible. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him and to proclaim His death until He comes again (1 Cor 11:24–26). Further, from the pastoral epistles we learn of the offices ordained for each local church (1 Tim 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). We have elders and deacons who minister the Word and who handle the practical ministry issues.
Throughout church history, men have configured church governance with much creativity. We have popes, cardinals, bishops, presbyters, ministers, pastors, and deacons, if not deaconesses. We have invented denominations and associations that seem to delight in bureaucracy and theological scandal. All of this is to determine who has power.
In America, we love congregational democracy because we have political democracy. The congregation votes on people and issues. Most independent churches prefer congregational rule, and by default, congregational leadership because we like that the hired minster must constantly win the popularity contest/win re-election. In denominational structures, pastors are moved elsewhere when they fall out of favor with the people.
A little-employed structure of governance is the elder led, elder ruled congregation. In this configuration, the elders lead the congregation by deciding the best course of action to take in every matter pertaining to the fellowship, worship, building, finances, and mission. Elders are appointed by the Holy Spirit to the office (Acts 20:28). Their role and function are to maintain an orderly assembly of saints, who can grow up into spiritual maturity.
When we employ the phrase “elder rule” it simply means that the decisions are binding upon the local assembly. Decision making and control reside with those men who aspire to the office and who are qualified to hold the office. When an approved workman rightly divides the Word of truth and is identified by the Spirit’s leading, He is installed into the office (2 Tim 2:15).
Elders are slaves of Christ. They are held to a higher standard because they are given greater responsibility (Jas 3:1). They shepherd the flock of God under their care (1 Pet 5:1–5). They feed and protect the sheep of His pasture (Ps 23; 100:3; Jn 10). The elder does not Lord over his brethren; rather, he loves them with the truth, as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21). He must be apt to teach because it is God’s Word that sanctifies the people of God (Jn 17:17; 1 Tim 3:2).
Elders do not operate alone. It is the plurality of elders that prevents localized papism. It is also a protection for the establishment and maintenance of sound doctrine.
In all of these matters, elders must give and account to God. They should fear and tremble at the prospect of meeting the one who prepared them, who called them, who appointed them, and who judges them in perfect knowledge of every dealing.
In conclusion, there simply is no flawless system of church government. All systems are deficient, including elder led, elder ruled. Therefore, as the Lord leads the planting and formation of new local church bodies, governance models must be one of the first decisions.
Once that decision is made, the approved elders begin to rule and lead. There must be a chemistry of brotherly love among them; and there must be a joint effort to please God in every decision.
May God bless those qualified men who desire to serve Christ’s church with the gifts of the Spirit, who appoints them for the office and for the work of equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry. May all things be done in an orderly manner and with a motive of love for Christ and His beloved. Amen.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 30, 2024
