Leadership Structure

The way a church is structured and how it functions is what is known as ecclesiology, which is theology proper. This is how we view how the church works and is structured according to the Bible. We take our leadership example from Scripture, not from the corporate world. It is amazing of how much the Bible does teach on how a church is to run.

1. The Senior Pastor: At The Journey Jesus Christ is the Senior Pastor

Simply, if the person and ongoing work of Jesus is not exceptionally clear and practically integrated in the church then eventually the church will become very sick. According to 1 Peter 5:4, Jesus is actually called the Chief Shepherd, or senior pastor.

A. Jesus Christ is the apostle who plants a church (Hebrews 3:1)
B. Jesus is the senior pastor who leads the church (1 Peter 5:4)
C. Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:4; 2:10, 19)
D. Jesus grows and builds a church (Matthew 16:18)
E. Jesus shuts a church down for becoming faithless and/or fruitless
(Revelation 2:5)

2. Elders/Pastors are the senior leaders in the church.

A. Elders are the senior male leaders of the church who are also Synonymously called "pastors," "bishops," and "overseers" throughout the New Testament (Acts 20:28;Ephesians 4:11; 1Peter 5:2).
B. Elders are men chosen for their ministry according to clear biblical requirements (1 Timothy 2:11-3:7; Titus 1:5-9).
C. The lead pastor is first among equals, scripture always talks of a plurality of elders, as well as lead elders like Timothy in his church.
D. When installed, elders must lead the church and never represent factions, agendas, or disgruntled or pushy people within the church.

3. Deacons are the secondary Leaders in the church under elders/pastors.

1. Acts 6:1-7 senior spiritual leadership is overburdend, not spending time in prayer and Bible study.
2. They are free to appoint pastoral assistants to help alleviate some of their burden. These pastoral assistants are deacons.
3. Unlike elder duties, the duties of deacons are not stated in Scripture because a deacon is simply a servant that serves however they are needed.
4. However, their qualifications and rewards are spoken of in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
1. Worthy of respect - without any character defect, holy
2. Sincere - heartfelt, earnest, honest, authentic
3. Not indulging in much wine - without addictions, self-controlled
4. Not pursuing dishonest gain - not greedy, financially content and upright
5. Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience - sound biblical theology held with deep conviction
6. Tested - proven worthy over time

4. Church Members Serve and Lead Under Elders and Deacons

a. Church members are Christians who are devoted to their church.
b. They ensure its health and growth by giving their time, talent, and money to the mission of
their church.
c. The Bible speaks of this community with multiple metaphors:

1. Christians are to work together like a family (1 Timothy 3:15; 5:1-2)
2. Christians are to work together like the parts of a body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:16-17)