When it comes to the organization of the church, there has long been debate and variation. Whether it is a single worldwide leader (e.g. Pope), or having various “presiding Bishops” to oversee certain groups or regions of churches, or having a single “Pastor” to preside over a local flock. Based on all these variations, one would think the Bible is either vague or silent about instructions or examples for the organization of the church. Some of the organization of the church might begin to be cleared up after recognizing how the church is defined in the Bible, and fact that it is described with both universal and local distinctions. Beyond that, what else do we find about the organization of the church?
How Scripture answers "What is the organization of the church?"
Examples that teach us about the organization of the church are found throughout the New Testament:
- Fundamentally, under the universality of God’s kingdom and Christ’s headship, we find that each local church functioned with autonomy145. Never do we see churches joining together or “combining forces”.
- Each local church was led by a plurality of leaders called bishops12 (overseers), elders456, pastors9, or even shepherds6. These designations were used interchangeably to refer to the plurality of men with discrete qualifications appointed to lead a local congregation26. It could be that they are paid by the congregation9, especially if they also preach and teach6.
- Never do we see a single bishop/elder over a local congregation.
- Never do we see elders exercising authority over another local congregation.
- Never do we see any qualifications like “good business leader” or “strong financial acumen” stated.
- Never do we see a preacher referred to “pastor”, only as elders.
- Never do we see women serving; in fact, they are explicitly excluded from serving.
- Serving under the oversight of the elders were deacons1 with their own set of qualifications7.
- The situation in the early days of the church (in Jerusalem)10 serve as some examples for us regarding deacons.
- Some translations render “sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae”8 where ESV translates “servant”. The Greek word could be either, and given Paul’s qualifications for the office of Deacon7, that would not be Phoebe.
Interestingly, as a footnote, Paul says of himself, “I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher” (2 Timothy 1:11). Paul wasn’t married, so he did not meet that qualification for elder. On the other hand, the apostle Peter, who was married, did serve as elder6. These personal testimonies align with Paul’s own summary of church leadership roles9.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ who are in Philippi, with the elders and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s opening to the brethren at the church in Philippi, of which he has found memories and great love.
Applying Philippians 1:1-2 to this question...
The church at Philippi had elders and deacons.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Watch out for yourselves and the entire church. The Holy Spirit made you caretakers of the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Son.
Paul is meeting with the elders of the church in Ephesus on the beach before boarding a ship back to Jerusalem. He is returning from his third missionary journey and does not expect he will see them again.
Applying Acts 20:28 to this question...
The elders at the church in Ephesus were to care for themselves and their flock (the local church).
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Each day, as they attended the temple and broke bread together in their homes, they received their food with thanksgiving, praising God and enjoying the good will of the people. And God added to their number each day those that were saved.
Describing the days immediately following the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 were saved upon the hearing of the gospel message from Peter and the apostles. Those “added” or “being saved” has already been defined by verse 41: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Scripture later refers to this group of saved believers as the “church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1, 11:22, 15:4).
Applying Acts 2:46-47 to this question...
God adds the saved to His church in the ‘universal’ sense.
So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
So the disciples decided to contribute, as each was able, and send financial relief to the brethren in Judea. So they commissioned Barnabas and Saul to deliver the collection to the elders [in Jerusalem].
As a result of the persecution that followed Stephen’s stoning, the gospel has spread and their are more gentiles (after Cornelius and his family/friends – chap 10) obeying in Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch (vs 19-21). Hearing about these conversions, the church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch to encourage them (vs 22). He subsequently goes to Tarsus to find Paul (vs 25) and brings him back to Antioch where they stay for a year (vs 26).
Applying Acts 11:29-30 to this question...
Financial aid is given from one group of disciples (of the church Antioch) to the elders (of the church in Jerusalem).
Due to a prophesied famine in Judea, “disciples determined” in Antioch (apparently no elders there) to send relief to their “brothers” in Judea in the care of the elders there.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And having appointed elders for the saints in each church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.
Paul, with Barnabas, is completing his first missionary journey throughout the region of Galatia (covering chapters 13-14). Having converted many in Derbe (vs 20), “they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Applying Acts 14:23 to this question...
Elders (plural) were appointed in “every church” (e.g. each individual, local assembly of the saints had multiple elders appointed to lead them).
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
I [Peter] encourage the elders in your midst, as a fellow elder and witness of Christ’s sufferings, as well as a fellow saint: shepherd that flock of God that you are charged with, not as if forced, but in Godly willingness, eagerly instead of for shameful gain, leading the flock by example instead of domineering. Do this, and when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Peter’s closing to his first letter written to Christians abroad (“the dispersion”, 1:1) that are suffering persecution in the name of Christ. He is giving some final instructions to church leaders (e.g. elders) and followers (vs 5).
Applying 1 Peter 5:1-4 to this question...
Peter, an elder himself, encourages fellow elders throughout the various local churches to whom he is writing (and wherever his letter is passed). They are Christ-like examples for their flocks, and accountable to the “chief Shepherd.”
Peter is writing “To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1)
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Likewise, a deacon must be serious-minded, not hypocritical, not addicted to much wine or profiting dishonestly. They must be faithful to the gospel with a clear conscience, being blameless before serving after having been tested. Their wives also must be dignified, not gossips but serious-minded and faithful in all things. They should be the husband of one wife, managing their children and households well. Finally, those who serve well as deacons gain good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Paul is writing to a young preacher, Timothy, giving qualifications for elders and deacons in order that “you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (3:15)
Applying 1 Timothy 3:8-13 to this question...
Paul shares specific qualifications for men serving as deacons.
Immediately following and comparing the qualifications given for elders, it’s apparent that a deacon would be subordinate to and likely younger than an elder. For example, an elder’s children are to be “believing” while a deacon’s children are simply to be managed well.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
I [Paul] commend our sister Phoebe to you. She has been a servant of the church at Cenchreae and a great help to me and many others. Welcome her in the Lord in a way that is fitting among the saints, and help her in whatever need she may have.
Paul’s closing in his letter to the church in Rome.
Applying Romans 16:1-2 to this question...
Phoebe faithfully served the church in Cenchreae as well as Paul and others.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
He [Christ] gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ [the church].
Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, is using a body metaphorically to describe the church. Jesus is the head that supplies all the other members of the body (vss 15-16). This thought seems also to be a continuation of what he stated earlier in the letter (2:19-20), where he talks about the “household of God” whose foundation was laid by Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets.
Applying Ephesians 4:11-12 to this question...
Jesus appointed several roles for “the building up of the body of Christ” (e.g. the church universally), including apostles, prophets, evangelists (e.g. preachers), pastors (e.g. elders), and teachers.
Coupled with an earlier statement from Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22, we can understand that Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets have already laid the foundation. What remains are the evangelists, pastors, and teachers (and deacons), who continue on in each local church.
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
As the disciples increased, Hellenists complained that their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve said they should not leave preaching to serve tables and told the brethren to choose seven reputable men full of the Spirit and wisdom to appoint to this duty.
The early days of the church since those first 3,000 were converted on the day of Pentecost in chapter 2, and just before the stoning of Stephen (chapter 7) leads to the persecution and subsequent scattering of Christians throughout Judea and Samaria and beyond.
Applying Acts 6:1-3 to this question...
This might be an example of a reason for appointing deacon(s) as well as a process by which they are appointed. However, it is noted that these men are not named officially as deacons in the text.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, and, The laborer deserves his wages.
Elders who lead well merit double honor, especially those laboring in preaching and teaching. Scripture supports this with the unmuzzled threshing ox and the laborer deserving wages.
Paul’s instructions to Timothy, a young preacher, and in chapter five turns again back to specific instructions based on various roles in the church(es) including man, woman, young, old, married, widowed, and elders. Here we quotes from Deuteronomy 25:4 as he likewise does in 1 Corinthians 9:9.
Applying 1 Timothy 5:17-18 to this question...
Elders might also engage in other local church roles9 (notably absent is the role of deacon as it is a subordinate role to the elder).
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