What the Group Is For

Say it in one line

Our church is staff led, elder guided, and body served.

That is one church's line. Write your own. A new elder or board member should be able to say in one sentence who leads, who guides and who is served.

Why have the group at all

• Provides doctrinal and spiritual accountability to Lead Pastor
• Supports the overall health and wellbeing of the Lead Pastor and family
• Works to establish trust in the Directional Leadership Team and vision
• Creates opportunity for Elders to disciple upcoming leaders
• Increases opportunities to build financial and prayer partnership

Notice what is on that list: accountability, care for the pastor's family, trust, discipleship, partnership. Decide which of these your group carries, and which belong to someone else.

Settle your model before you invite anyone

Churches answer these questions differently. Do not borrow an answer. Open your Bible, read your own tradition's teaching, and decide:

• Who holds final authority in your church, and over what?
• Are your elders inside the congregation, outside it, or both?
• Is your legal board the same group as your elders, or a different one?
• Who may serve as an elder?
• How do elders, pastors and deacons differ in your church?

Passages to read together: Acts 6:1-7 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Acts 14:23 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Acts 20:17-31 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Ephesians 4:11-16 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 1 Timothy 3 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Titus 1:5-9 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Hebrews 13:17 (opens the passage on Bible.com), James 5:14 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 1 Peter 5:1-4 (opens the passage on Bible.com).

Five tests for any model

Every model we evaluate must be:

1. Biblically grounded. Does it come from Scripture?
2. Historically rooted. Has it stood the test of time?
3. Theologically coherent. Does it align with God's character and mission?
4. Practically effective. Does it produce disciples and fruit today?
5. Globally transferable. Could it work across cultures?

Questions to press on your own model

• Which specific passages prescribe your model versus merely describe it?
• How does your model handle church discipline and authority biblically?
• How do elders and deacons function distinctly in your structure?
• What system of accountability protects both leaders and members?
• How does your model equip every believer for ministry (Eph. 4:11-16 (opens the passage on Bible.com))?
• How does your model guard sound doctrine and promote spiritual health?

• How do you make sure "first among equals" does not become "the only voice that matters"?
• If your elders are local, what outside accountability exists to prevent insularity or moral failure?
• What happens if there is disagreement among elders? Who decides?
• How do you keep the staff side from becoming a corporate hierarchy?

How one church put it

Our church operates with:

• an external elder board for accountability and oversight,
• a lead elder who shepherds the local house,
• a pastoral team that cares for and equips the flock,
• a lead team of ministry leaders who function as deacons.

Passages given: Acts 14:23 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 1 Peter 5:1-4 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Ephesians 4:11-12 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Acts 6:1-7 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (opens the passage on Bible.com), Ephesians 1:22-23 (opens the passage on Bible.com).

This is an example, not a recommendation. Run your own model through the five tests.

Keep it under Jesus

Every structure should serve Jesus' mission, not replace it.