How is Agape Bible Church Governed?

Overseers, Pastors, & Elders

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church he began by addressing the congregation and the leadership. To describe the leadership Paul uses two terms:

Php.1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons 

The leadership within a local church, then, consists of Overseers and Deacons. The Greek word translated “overseers” (KJV bishops) is episkopas (skopeo means “to watch”, and epi means “over”). The overseers are the ones who oversee the church.

What about Pastors?

In Eph.4:11 we read about pastors (or literally, “shepherds” – the word is the normal Greek word for “shepherd.” That term is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament in reference to spiritual leaders.

What about elders?

James 5:14 tells us that the sick should call the elders of the church. It was the body of elders that appointed Timothy to the ministry (1 Ti.4:14) and Titus is told to appoint elders in every town (Tit.1:5). The Greek word for elder is prebyteros. Elders are the ones who direct the affairs of the church. (1 Ti.5:17).

So there are Deacons, Shepherds, Elders & Overseers, yet in Php.1:1 only Overseers and Deacons are mentioned. The reason for that is the terms Shepherds, Elders & Overseers all refer to the same office.

Titus 1:6-7 An elder must be blameless ... 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless

1 Peter 5:1,2 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds (pastors) of God's flock …that is under your care, serving as overseers…

Acts 20:17,28 Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them… 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God

God uses three different terms to highlight three aspects of the one office. Church leaders are to shepherd (feed & protect), they are to oversee (govern, lead), and they are to be elders (spiritually mature leaders). They are to lead, feed, and oversee.
	
Deacons

The other office in church leadership is Deacon. The character qualifications for deacons are just as high as for elders (1 Tim.3, Tit.1). The only qualification not required for deacons is the ability to teach. The term “deacon” simply means “server.” Deacons are reliable servants in the church who are qualified to help the elders with important tasks so the elders will not have to neglect the ministry of the Word and prayer. 

Elder rule

We believe the following five statements from Scripture demonstrate that the biblical model for church leadership is elder rule. It is the Pastor/Elder/Overseers who are to function as the authorities within the local church.

1. The elders are to rule the church (1 Ti.5:17) 
2. The leaders are over the people in the Lord (1 Thes.5:12) 
3. The leaders are to govern the church (Ro.12:8) 
4. The people are to obey the leaders and submit to their authority, and the leaders are to keep watch over the congregation (Heb.13:17) 

Scripture teaches that the official church leaders (Pastor/Elder/Overseers) are to rule, they are over the people in the Lord, they govern, and they are in authority over everyone. However the Bible never speaks of the congregation or anyone else ruling, being over anyone in the Lord, governing or having authority in the church. For this reason Agape Church is committed to elder leadership.

The role of the congregation

The terminology Scripture uses regarding the authority of elders is similar to that regarding the authority of husbands. Just as the husband is the head of the home, and is responsible to be in authority on the one hand; yet still a wise, godly husband will listen to the opinions and desires and advice of his wife, so it should be with the church. Important decision should not only be discussed with the congregation, but should have widespread support prior to their being made. The elder board that makes such decisions apart from the support of the congregation is as unwise as the husband who buys a house or makes a job change without talking to his wife. Final authority, however, rests with the Pastor/Elder/Overseers. 

Authority above the local church?

Some denominations have authority structures in which denominational officials have authority that supersedes that of the local church. We find no support for such a structure in Scripture. On the contrary, when the Lord gave instructions regarding church discipline the highest level to which the matter ascends is the congregation (Mt.18:17). If some higher authority were to exist, one would expect that the higher authority would be the level to which church discipline matters would rise (or that such an authority would at least be mentioned in Scripture). We believe every local assembly has both the right and the responsibility to govern its own affairs.