God’s Wisdom in Church Leadership

by David Gibson

God always does it right the first time. Take, for example, church leadership.

What church leaders are called in the New Testament

What many people do not realize is that in the New Testament, there are at least three terms used synonymously: 1) pastors, 2) overseers (also called bishops), and 3) elders.

Commenting on Acts 20:17, 28, Bible scholar F. F. Bruce wrote, “There was in apostolic times no distinction between elders (presbyters) and bishops such as we find from the second century onwards: the leaders of the Ephesian church are indiscriminately described as elders, bishops (i.e., superintendents) and shepherds (or pastors)” (Commentary on the Book of Acts, p. 415). See also Titus 1:5-7 and I Peter 5:1-4.

Over the centuries, these terms have morphed into something different. A bishop has come to mean a superintendent over a diocese (district) of churches. And “pastor” is commonly used for a preacher.
However, in the New Testament, “pastor” and “preacher” have distinctly different roles. A preacher could also serve as a pastor (elder) if he qualifies and is appointed to serve along with (but not over) his fellow elders. Then, he would be a pastor in the biblical sense, but he would only be a pastor, not the pastor.

The autonomy of each congregation

In the New Testament, each congregation was autonomous (self-governing) under the oversight of its own elders. Peter exhorts elders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (I Peter 5:2). There was no central headquarters as many denominations have today.

One major advantage of autonomy is that doctrinal error (false teaching) is far less likely to spread because no headquarters directs the churches under them what to believe or practice.

A plurality of elders in each congregation

• “. . . and when they [Paul and Barnabas] had appointed elders for them in every church . . .” (Acts 14:23).
• “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you . . .” (Titus 1:5).
• “Now from Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him” (Acts 20:17).
• “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons” (Philippians 1:1).

In my nearly fifteen years serving as an elder, I have seen God’s wisdom at work. Each elder has his own talents, perspective, and experience, resulting in a synergism that makes for greater wisdom in leadership and decision-making.

If we simply follow the pattern for church government in the New Testament, we will do well. God knew what was best when He organized the church as He did.