Biblical, Shared, and Accountable Leadership
The New Testament uses the terms elder, pastor, overseer, bishop, and shepherd interchangeably. These men are called and equipped by God, recognized by the church, and appointed according to the qualifications given in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. We believe Scripture consistently presents the Eldership as a plurality—meaning that, ordinarily, more than one man serves in the Pastoral Office, though they may be differently gifted, aged, trained, and functioning.
At GFC, our pastors serve under Christ and alongside one another. Every elder possesses equal authority, even as their gifts, influence, roles, time, functions, and responsibilities differ. While elders are shepherds of the flock, they remain members of it—accountable to one another and to the church body. Ministers are both members and pastors.
The Nature of Pastoral Authority
Pastoral authority is real, but it is delegated authority. Elders are answerable to God for how they lead (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17), and their leadership must always be exercised according to the ministry of the Word.
Their authority is limited to the life of the local church. They may not trespass into the God-ordained authority of the family, the civil magistrate, or the workplace. Nor may they command what Scripture does not command, or require what Scripture does not require. Instead, pastors oversee and order the life of the church by applying God’s Word faithfully and carefully.
The church also plays a vital role. Matters such as church discipline, the recognition of officers, membership, and significant decisions in the life of the body require congregational involvement and consent (Acts 6:2–6; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:6). In all these things, the elders lead—but they do not rule unilaterally.
What Our Pastors Do
Pastors labor for the spiritual good of the flock. Their work includes:
• Giving themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4)
• Preaching and teaching sound doctrine (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9)
• Leading, overseeing, and shepherding the church (1 Pet. 5:2–3)
• Caring for the hurting and praying for the sick (James 5:14)
•Protecting the congregation from false teaching (Acts 20:28–31)
• Exercising biblical discipline with humility (Matt. 18:15–17)
• Living as examples to the flock (Heb. 13:7)
• Training and equipping future leaders (Eph. 4:11–16; 2 Tim. 2:1–2)
• Managing practical matters with integrity and sobriety (1 Pet. 5:1–3)
Practically speaking, this is why the elders oversee, plan, and order the worship of God. They lead in preaching and teaching—whether in the sermon during the Lord’s Day services, Sunday School, Catechism, Young Adult Bible Study, Prayer and Discipleship Meetings, evangelism, or Congregational Meetings. The pastors lead and oversee the deacons, ensure members are regularly checked on and prayed for, and provide counsel to members—and, when appropriate, to non-members as well.
In All Things: Shepherds Under Christ
Grace Fellowship Church is led by a plurality of qualified men who love Christ, love His Word, and love His people. They seek to shepherd with humility, guard with courage, teach with clarity, and lead with a deep sense of dependence upon the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.