Local Church Administration

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The Scriptures set forth three groups within a local Church: elders (shepherds/bishops/pastors), ministers (deacons), and the remaining saints:

(Phil 1:1 KJV) Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Elders and ministers (Deacons) make up the two levels of resident leadership in a local Church;

The office of deacon

Strong's Ref. # 1249 - Romanized diakonos - Pronounced dee-ak'-on-os

probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare GSN1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess):

KJV--deacon, minister, servant.

was added to assist the elders in any necessary responsibilities that would take away from their primary functions of studying the word, praying, and guiding the flock. They are chosen by the congregation according to qualifications and appointed by the elders on recommendation of the congregation:

(Acts 6:1-6 KJV) And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {2} Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. {3} Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. {4} But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: {6} Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

In the New Testament there are three different words used for the elders:

Presbuteros = Elders –

Strong's Ref. # 4245 - Romanized presbuteros - Pronounced pres-boo'-ter-os

comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter":

KJV-- elder(-est), old.

Episkopos = Overseer sometimes Bishop in KJV

Strong's Ref. # 1985 - Romanized episkopos - Pronounced ep-is'-kop-os

from GSN1909 and GSN4649 (in the sense of GSN1983); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):

KJV--bishop, overseer.

Poimen = Shepherd (once as pastor in KJV)

Strong's Ref. # 1985 - Romanized episkopos - Pronounced ep-is'-kop-os

from GSN1909 and GSN4649 (in the sense of GSN1983); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):

KJV--bishop, overseer.

All three of these words are repeatedly used denoting the same office:

(Acts 20:17-28 KJV) And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders (presbuteros )of the church…

…{28} Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (episkopos), to feed (shepherd - poimaino) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

(Titus 1:5-7 KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (presbuteros) in every city, as I had appointed thee: {6} If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. {7} For a bishop (episkopos) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

(1 Pet 2:25 KJV) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd (poimen) and Bishop (episkopos) of your souls.

(1 Pet 5:2 KJV) Feed (Shepherd - poimaino) the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight (episkopeo) thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

The office is that of Elder, the ministry is to Shepherd the sheep, and the work is taking oversight. In the New Testament, when performing in their ministry, elders are always mentioned in the plural. Their work is always done as a group.

(Acts 14:23 KJV) And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

(Acts 20:17 KJV) And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

(Acts 21:18 KJV) And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

(1 Tim 5:17-18 KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. {18} For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

(Titus 1:5 KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

(James 5:14 KJV) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

(1 Pet 5:1-2 KJV) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: {2} Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

It is totally unscriptual to have one person (pastor or apostle) in charge of a local church. All important decision making was brought before an assembly of elders for resolution, which removed the danger of following one heretic to ruin in a cult.

(Acts 15:2-6 KJV) When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. {3} And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. {4} And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. {5} But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. {6} And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(Acts 15:22-23 KJV) Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: {23} And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

(Acts 16:4 KJV) And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Apostles over more than one local church and within their own local church are respected as Elders…

(1 Pet 5:1-4 KJV) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: {2} Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {3} Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {4} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

(Acts 15:2-6 KJV) When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. {3} And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. {4} And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. {5} But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. {6} And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(Acts 15:23 KJV) And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Apostles, prophets, and teachers whose authority is not necessarily limited to one local Church, have the highest authority within a local Church over the resident elders.

(3 John 1:9-10 KJV) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. {10} Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

However even Paul, the chief apostle to the gentiles and Peter (Cephas), the chief apostle to the Jews, had no single authority, but needed consensus with other apostles and elders under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for decision making:

(1 Cor 3:4-10 KJV) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? {5} Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? {6} I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. {7} So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. {8} Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. {9} For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. {10} According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

(1 Cor 16:12 KJV) As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

(Acts 15:2-6 KJV) When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

(Gal 2:6-10 KJV) But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: {7} But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; {8} (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) {9} And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. {10} Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

(Acts 4:33-36 KJV) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. {34} Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, {35} And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. {36} And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

(Acts 9:26-27 KJV) And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. {27} But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

(Acts 12:25 KJV) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

(Acts 13:1-4 KJV) Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. {3} And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. {4} So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Elders as heads over the brethren in a local Church link them with their heads in the traveling authoritative ministries (apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers) and unite all local churches into one universal church in a top-down, head-body relationship, as is the pattern of the whole church under Yahweh.

(1 Cor 11:3 KJV) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

(Acts 20:16-31 KJV) For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. {17} And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. {18} And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, {19} Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: {20} And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house...

… {26} Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. {27} For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. {28} Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. {29} For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. {31} Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

There are three different Greek words used for the rule given to the elders:

1) Strong's Ref. # 4291 - Romanized proistemi - Pronounced pro-is'-tay-mee

from GSN4253 and GSN2476; to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practice:

KJV--maintain, be over, rule.

(1 Th 5:12-13 KJV) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you (proistemi) in the Lord, and admonish you; {13} And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

(1 Tim 3:2-5 KJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; {3} Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; {4} One that ruleth (proistemi) well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; {5} (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

(1 Tim 5:17-18 KJV) Let the elders that rule (proistemi) well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. {18} For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

2) Strong's Ref. # 2233 - Romanized hegeomai - Pronounced hayg-eh'-om-ahee

middle voice of a (presumed) strengthened form of GSN0071; to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e. consider:

KJV--account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.

(Heb 13:7 KJV) Remember them which have the rule over (hegeomai) you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

(Heb 13:17 KJV) Obey them that have the rule over (hegeomai) you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

(Heb 13:24 KJV) Salute all them that have the rule over (hegeomai) you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

3) Strong's Ref. # 4165 - Romanized poimaino - Pronounced poy-mah'-ee-no

from GSN4166; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):

KJV--feed (cattle), rule.

Strong's Ref. # 4166 - Romanized poimen - Pronounced poy-mane'

of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):

KJV--shepherd, pastor.

(Acts 20:28 KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed (poimaino) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

(1 Pet 5:2-4 KJV) Feed (poimaino) the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {3} Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {4} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

(Mat 2:6 KJV) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule (poimen) my people Israel.

(Rev 2:26-27 KJV) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule (poimaino) them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

(Rev 12:5 KJV) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule (poimaino) all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

(Rev 19:15 KJV) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule (poimaino) them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Functions of the elders include feeding (receiving the word and then teaching the correct doctrine) and shepherding the sheep (leading as head over the body of the local Church (not preaching down to the congregation from a pulpit which has it’s roots in the Nicolaitanes doctrine - From Greek Nicos, meaning to conquer, and Laos, meaning Lay or common people- in short, those with authority being treated and acting different than and superior to those that are under authority-:

(Rev 2:6 KJV) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

(Rev 2:15 KJV) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

but personal relationships and direct teaching to groups.) This is possible by continually ordaining more elders as the local church grows.

(2 Tim 2:1-2 KJV) Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. {2} And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

(Titus 1:7-9 KJV) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; {8} But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; {9} Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Elders are normally ordained by the apostles who establish the local Church.

(Acts 14:21-23 KJV) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, {22} Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. {23} And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

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