The Bible makes clear that leadership is critical to the health of the church. Jesus is the ultimate head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and He in turn has called certain qualified men to lead each local church under His authority (these are called ‘elders/pastors/overseers’). However it is important to understand that leadership in the church is to operate according to fundamentally different principles than leadership in the world.

For instance, in the world leadership is often marked by pride. Leaders in the world often think of themselves as greater than those they rule. But in the church leadership is to be marked by humility. Leaders in the church know that all the glory belongs to God and that they are simply His servants. They recognize that their position of leadership does not make them inherently superior to those they are leading (Luke 22:25-27).

In addition to this, in the world leadership is often marked by selfishness. Leaders in the world often use their position of authority to serve their own interests. But in the church leadership is to be marked by selflessness. Leaders in the church consider it their duty to serve the interests of the church on behalf of their Lord Jesus. They recognize that their position of leadership is not to be used as a means acquiring for themselves power, wealth, or fame, but rather to lovingly seek the spiritual welfare of God’s people even at great cost to themselves (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8).

Finally, in the world leaders often rule according to their own will. Leaders in the world often think of their authority as giving them a license to lead those under them in whatever way they want. But in the church leaders know that they do not have this luxury. Nor do they want it! Rather they recognize that they are under Christ’s authority and must lead the church according to His will revealed in the Bible. Their role is to hold God’s people accountable to believe the word of their Lord and to obey it in their lives.

Our Leadership page has an informal introduction to each of our elders and deacons.