—Some say, no. What we see in the New Testament is culturally-bound.

—Same say, no. What we see in the New Testament will not work in democratic cultures.

—Some say, yes, but… What we see in the New Testament is to be adapted wholesale to the culture the church is in.

—Some say, yes, and… The church’s authority is invested in the people and is delegated to the leadership.

—I’d say, yes. The Bible is clear on how the church is to be led, governed and by whom.

This means that we end up with four primary models of church leadership.

—Single leader, usually a pastor, who rules the church. His word is law.

—Single leader, usually a pastor, who is chosen, appointed and hired by the church.

—Multiple leaders appointed by the church who govern the church along with the congregation.

—Multiple leaders who govern the church, qualifying, selecting and appoint other leaders as well.

Now, there are lots of variations on these themes. And there is a lot of debate about structure, authority, cultural impacts, congregational and leadership relationships and leadership style. But this is almost missing from the 3 major texts about church leadership.

Titus 1:5-9 does not address all that could be said and all that the Bible does say about church leadership. But what it does say is very significant and is representative of the other texts.

What is at stake is quite simply: Will churches be biblical churches in this area? Will we be a biblical church?

A biblical church will seek to have a biblical and biblically-qualified leadership. Specifically, pastor-led, deacon-served, and congressionally-ruled.

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**WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?**

Scripture instructs that the local church is structured around two essential roles:

1. pastor-elder-overseer* and

2. deacons, as outlined in Philippians 1:1.

(*Note: the terms “elder,” “pastor (the word I will use for simplicity),” and “overseer” are used interchangeably in the New Testament (Acts 20:17, 28, 1 Peter 5:1-3, etc.. This is affirmed in the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message as ratified in 2023 at the annual convention. More about this below)

Pastors, comprising qualified men, provide leadership and pastoral care, guiding the church spiritually through teaching, prayer, and leadership. Deacons assist pastors in fostering church unity and addressing practical needs within the congregation. The authority to appoint and, if necessary, remove pastors and deacons rests with the congregation.

In the New Testament, different terms are used interchangeably for the same pastoral office. These include overseers (ἐπίσκοπος), pastors (ποιμήν), and elders (πρεσβύτερος). For instance, in Titus 1, Paul transitions from instructing the appointment of "elders in every town" (v. 5) to outlining the qualifications that an "overseer" should meet (v. 7). Similarly, in Acts 20, Paul convenes the "elders" (v. 17) of the Ephesian church, whom the Holy Spirit has designated as "overseers" (v. 28), charged with "shepherding" the church. Likewise, in 1 Peter 5, Peter urges the "elders" to fulfill their role of "shepherding" the church by exercising oversight.

The New Testament consistently presents a model of church leadership centered around a plurality of pastors in each local congregation. There is no example in the New Testament of one pastor leading a congregation as the sole or primary leader.

For instance, in Acts 11:30, Luke records that the church at Antioch sent Barnabas and Paul to deliver relief funds to the pastors in Jerusalem. James assumes the presence of pastors who pray for the sick in every church (James 5:14). Acts also shows that Paul regularly appointed pastors to oversee the churches he established (Acts 14:23).

Additionally, Paul summoned the pastors of Ephesus for a farewell exhortation (Acts 20:17-18), and instructed Titus to appoint pastors in every city (Titus 1:5). When writing to the church in Philippi, Paul greets the "overseers and deacons" (Philippians 1:1), affirming the established leadership structure of pastors and deacons in the local church.

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**SOME WORTHWHILE QUOTES**

1. The first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, W. B. Johnson of South Carolina, wrote in his book, The Gospel Developed, “Each [New Testament] church had a plurality of elders.” Concerning his present day, Johnson asserted, “A plurality in the bishopric [that is, the pastorate] is of great importance for mutual counsel and aid, that the government and edification of the flock may be promoted in the best manner.”

2. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBC), in his book “A Theology for the Church” printed by LifeWay: “The direct evidence in the New Testament indicates that the common and even expected practice was to have a plurality of elders in each local congregation” (Danny Akin, Perspectives on Church Government, Broadman and Holman: Nashville, 2003, pg. 64)

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**THIS IS THE CONSISTENT PATTERN OF THE BIBLE…**

The New Testament consistently depicts a plurality of pastors in various churches and regions. This model is evident in the churches of..

—Jerusalem (Acts 11:30),

—Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe (Acts 14:23),

—Ephesus (Acts 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:17),

—Philippi (Philippians 1:1), cities in Crete (Titus 1:5),

—churches in the dispersion (James 5:14),

—provinces like Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1), and

—possibly the recipients of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24).

Again, in short, the overwhelming evidence from the New Testament shows that every church (cf. Acts 14:23) in every city (Titus 1:5) operated with a plurality of pastors.

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**WHY IS HAVING MULTIPLE PASTORS LEADING TOGETHER HELPFUL?**

This shared responsibility of shepherding is both biblical and beneficial. A plurality ensures more:

—than one shepherd,

—provides mutual accountability among pastors,

—distributes the workload of pastoral ministry,

—and complements the diverse gifts among the pastors.

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**WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD…**

Scripture mandates that the church be led by a plurality of qualified men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Just as men are ordained to lead their homes for the overall flourishing of God’s people*, the leadership of the church is similarly entrusted to men. While women possess numerous gifts that benefit the body of Christ**, and all members—both male and female—may fulfill nurturing roles within the church, the pastoral office itself is reserved for men.

Pastoring is not only a spiritual gift (Ephesians 4:11) but also an authoritative position in the church.

According to 1 Timothy 2:9–15, women are not permitted to teach or have authority over men in the corporate gathering***. Since pastors must be apt to teach (1 Timothy 3:2) and exercise authority, it logically follows from Scripture that women are not eligible for the role of pastor****. The SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message also affirms this fact.

Furthermore, pastors are required to be the "husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6), reinforcing the understanding that this leadership role is specifically designated for qualified men.

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(*For an accessible examination of of this in life and ministry, refer to Kevin DeYoung's work, "Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction" (Wheaton: Crossway, 2021). Another valuable resource is Andreas J. Köstenberger and Margaret E. Köstenberger's "God’s Design for Man and Woman: A Biblical-Theological Survey” Wheaton: Crossway, 2014))

(**A great book on this is: John Piper, “What’s the Difference: Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990).

(*** For a detailed study and interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9–15 regarding women in the church, refer to Andreas J. Köstenberger and Thomas R. Schreiner's book, *Women in the Church: An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9–15, 3rd ed.* (Wheaton: Crossway, 2016).

(**** Bruce Ware's contribution, "Putting It All Together: A Theology of Church Leadership," can be found in *Shepherding God’s Flock: Biblical Leadership in the New Testament and Beyond*, edited by Benjamin L. Merkle and Thomas R. Schreiner (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2014), on page 296.)

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**CHARACTER OF THE PASTOR**

A study of biblical texts on pastors underscores the essential role of character in the pastoral office (Acts 20:18–35; 2 Timothy 2:22–26), particularly emphasized in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, and 1 Peter 5:1–5. Pastors are called to embody a wide array of Christian virtues: faithfulness in marriage, effective management of their households, humility, gentleness, peaceableness, reasonableness, sobriety, financial responsibility, spiritual maturity, hospitality, self-control, uprightness in character, and respectability.

An pastor must desire the office (1 Timothy 3:1), be "above reproach" (1 Timothy 3:2), and serve as an example to the congregation (1 Peter 5:2; cf. 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12), consistently maintaining these qualities throughout their ministry. They should not enter ministry due to external pressures (1 Peter 5:2), being mindful that "those who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1). Pastors are admonished to "pay close attention" (1 Timothy 4:16) to both their lives and their teaching.

Christ, identified as the chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4; cf. Matthew 16:18), appoints pastors as under-shepherds to care for his flock (v. 2). Pastors operate in God’s power (1 Corinthians 15:10; Colossians 1:28–29; 1 Peter 4:11), exercising "great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).

They diligently handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) to edify God's people (Hebrews 4:12). Those pastors who fulfill their role by preaching and teaching God's Word are to be compensated (1 Timothy 5:17; cf. Galatians 6:6). Accusations against an elder should not be entertained "except on the evidence of two or three witnesses" (1 Timothy 5:19).

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**BOTTOM-LINE…**

Pastors shepherd believers toward spiritual maturity by proclaiming Christ and the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:28), aiming for the maturity of every believer (Colossians 1:28; cf. 1 Peter 5:5). Like the apostles, pastors dedicate themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6:4).

All pastors share the responsibilities of leadership (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13; 5:17). Their ability to teach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1) equips them to proclaim sound doctrine, guard the church against false teachings (Titus 1:9), equip believers for ministry (Ephesians 4:13), and raise up new leaders (2 Timothy 2:2).

While the congregation holds ultimate earthly responsibility over doctrine (Galatians 1:8), membership (1 Corinthians 5:9–13; 2 Corinthians 2:6–7), and leadership (Acts 6:5; 1 Timothy 3:1–7), God instructs the church to submit to and obey pastors (1 Peter 5:5; Hebrews 13:17) when they fulfill their God-given responsibilities, enabling them to serve with joy (Hebrews 13:17).

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**HOW CAN I PRAY?**

--Pray that God would give us wisdom here!

—Pray that God would raise up men—paid and unpaid—to help to the end described above!

—Pray for all our members (non-pastors) to serve God as he has called them to for his glory and the good of those around them!