Our Government
The community of God’s people is to be governed by men who are mature in the faith and called to the office of Elder. Assisting the Elders are Deacons. Deacons are men and women who are endowed with spiritual maturity and gifts that allow them to oversee the ministries of the church and the care of its people. With a team comprised of Elders, Pastors, and Deacons the church is given guidance, direction, and accountability. The Government of the church provides for a community atmosphere of peace and unity, problem-solving, and solution-finding. Below you can learn more about Elders, Deacons, Pastors, and Church Members.
Elder Qualifications
(Titus 1:6-9)
Above reproach
Able to teach
Husband to one wife
Not addicted to wine
Temperate
Not antagonistic
Prudent
Uncontentious
Respectable
Free from the love of money
Hospitable
Manage own household
Not a new convert
Elder Duties
The Scriptures show that the elders serve by leading and that their responsibility involves the spiritual oversight of the congregation. All elders are equal in authority but not necessarily equal in influence.
The elders’ primary responsibilities include:
Doctrine – Ensuring that the doctrine of the church is biblical; all doctrinal issues in the church will be settled by the Board of Elders.
Direction – Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with the ABCModesto statement of purpose and the Four Pillars.
Discipline – Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, and Romans 16:17.
Plurality of Elders
The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1). The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly elders, exercising their individual giftedness, squares with the Scripture’s teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 24:6). This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings on the Elder Board.
Deacon Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8-12)
Individual of dignity
Above reproach
Not double-tongued
First tested as servants
Not addicted to wine
Spouses must be faithful
Temperate
Not fond of sordid gain
Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience
Husband of one wife
Manages household well
Deacon Duties
Deacons are tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the community ministries of the local church. Under the oversight of Elders, deacons minister to the needs of the church community, tend to the facilities, provide financial management, and engage with believers for their spiritual benefit. Deacons are like mortar, they hold the building blocks of the church together. If the church were a passenger jet, elders would be in the cockpit, and deacons would be serving the passengers.
Pastor
A Pastor is a member of the Elder team. All Elders are equally tasked with the responsibilities of doctrine, discipline, and direction. All Elders must also be apt to teach. The only differentiation between elders and a pastor is that a Pastor is responsible for the weekly ministries of the Word and Prayer. In these things, a Pastor is called to be and recognized as the lead teacher of the church. A Pastor is not above the other Elders, nor is he subordinate to the Elders. A pastor is first among equals, accountable to the whole church, and exclusively devoted to the shepherding and tending to the flock of God he finds himself among.