“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” – Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV)

“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” – Ephesians 1:22-24 (ESV)

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

We know from both the Old Testament and the New Testament that God does not want chaos among His people, especially regarding worship – “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints” – 1 Corinthians 14:33. Therefore, the need for some leadership within each congregation is required. God, through the inspired writers, gave us instructions on what kind of leaders are needed, the qualifications for those leaders, how they are to serve, and how each congregation is to select them.

“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” – Acts 14:23 (ESV)

“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” – Acts 20:28 (ESV)

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” – Titus 1:5

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-7

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” – Titus 1:5-9 (ESV)

** Do not overlook the plurality of Elders in all references within the Bible, it is never just one man **

Given that the Elders’ primary role is to be the spiritual leaders within the congregation, there was a clear need for additional leaders who are subject to the Elders but perform a different role to serve the congregation. You see a clear example of this in Acts chapter 6.

“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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:1-4

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” – Philippians 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”– 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ESV)

The church organization, as it has been shown to us through the inspired writers of the Bible, is very simple. God the Father has given all authority to His son Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. Within each congregation of believers there should be Elders and Deacons appointed by the congregation, men who meet the qualifications outlined in scripture. The members, including the deacons and preachers, should then submit themselves to the oversight of the Elders and their leadership.

** It may not be popular in today’s culture, but the scriptures make it very clear that the position of both Elders and Deacons should only be filled by men of the congregation. **