LEADERSHIP
Elders (or commonly called Pastors today) are men who are called by the Holy Spirit to shepherd the church. (Acts 20:28) They are qualified according to faithful and continued godly character and gifted to teach. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1:4-9) They’re called to teach and lead the church as faithful examples. (1 Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:7) As examples they are to lead under the authority of the Word of God, and submit to the authority of the Word. Teaching and rebuking according to the word by the authority of the Word of God. (Acts 20:32, Titus 1:9) Elders are always spoken of in plurality. There is no Biblical passage that addresses a pastor or elder leading a church. Pastors, or Shepherd Teachers addressed in Ephesians 4, are gifts from Christ, for the equipping and maturity of the church.
Deacons are qualified likewise according to faithful and continued Godly Character. (1 Timothy 3:8-13) We hold that deacons are men, called to serve with authority under Christ, and the elders in important tasks that would distract elders from the ministry of the Word and prayer. (Acts 6: 1-7) While a church must have elders, Deacons function according to the needs of the body. For that reason, a small and new church such as the Church in Crete might not have deacons as a necessity. For example, Titus 1 gives qualifications for the appointment of Elders yet excludes qualifications for deacons. All Christians are called to serve the needs of the body. But in the needs of the body there comes times when the office of a Deacon is necessary as an example, and to carry authority in the service of the body. While all Christian’s are called to serve not all are called as Deacons. Deacons are those proven in the body who carry greater responsibility for the body as an example, and are tested and affirmed. (1 Timothy 3:10)
Leading in the name of Christ is not about the rights of leaders, but the responsibilities of leaders under Christ. Leaders are to care faithfully for God’s church with their gifts as individually members of God’s church. Our Elders and Deacon(s) are joyful to serve Christ with the responsibility to watch over the people of Faith Bible Church Menifee. We are thankful for the humility and faithfulness of the body God has called us to serve Him, as members of Faith Bible Church Menifee. (Hebrews 13:17)
