Principles Outlined Proving a Plurality of Church Leadership

Principles Outlined Proving a Plurality of Church Leadership


Introduction

Ecclesiology is the study of Christ’s Church, the ordinances, the leadership, the goals, etc. As of late, the church leadership that has been adopted by most conservative churches in America has been the senior pastor churches, with some associate pastors that serve beneath him. Basically, this government has no differences from that of the Presbyterian model except for the terminology that supports it. Unfortunately, this practice is directly against scriptural teaching. The Bible indicates that there should be a plurality of leaders in each local church. I’ve also brought a few opinions as to why the Scripture has pointed to this particular leadership.

Argument #1 - Logical Argument

Logically, a decent discussion of local church leadership must include the accountability that whatever governing official the church decides to embrace. It seems apparent that the Bible speaks highly of the concept of accountability. Power will always corrupt if not kept in check. The total depravity of man will completely infect any position of power if the leadership is not held accountable. The main question would be which system of government would be held under the greatest accountability, a senior pastor that oversees all, or a group of pastors with the same authority keeping each other and the congregation in check? Of course the group of pastors would present the greatest amount of accountability because not only is the congregation consistently interacting with them, but the pastors are also involved in each others’ lives. Therefore, a rational conclusion would be that accountability would consistently prevail with a group of godly men keeping check over each other as opposed to a single godly man keeping himself in check.

Secondly, it only logical that decisions regarding indirect means of ministry are better discussed and decided by a group of equally authoritative godly men as opposed to one godly man. When a decision regarding intricate details of ministry, like finances or the calling that God has placed on individuals in the church, it is important that all aspects of the decision to be brought into the light before a conscious decision can be made. Of course prayer and principles of God’s Word are the moderators of each decision, but a group of men can confirm the direction of God as opposed to one man making the decision without seeing all possible areas. Also, who would know if the senior pastor is making the right decision without the multiplicity of authority? God’s ordained purpose is for unity concerning His people with the goal of glorifying His name. Therefore, it would only seem accurate that God would want every possible way to assure unity, and the best possible way to achieve this would be the directed and authoritative decisions of a group of pastors rather than a single pastor.

Argument #2 - Philosophical Argument

On a more philosophical note, keeping a plural governing body will also eliminate the personality centered local church ministry that has plagued so many churches. It seems that a pastor is the undershepherd of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 5:3-4). Therefore, the leadership is supposed to be completely unbiased when making ministry decisions. For instance, if the local church is shepherded by one man, the church will consistently lean toward the preferences of the pastor. In cases of music, liturgy, church bulletin styles, various ministries, even food decisions will ultimately, yet unnoticeably be influenced by the leadership of the church. If the leadership is plural, then these preferences will cover a wider variety. I Corinthians 14:26 says, “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together… Let all things be done for edification.” If the church is leaning on the preferences of one pastor, then the church will always minister more successfully to people that have similar interests as the pastor as opposed to a variety of leadership that could ultimately minister to a greater variety of people. Based on the evidence, it is only more reasonable to conclude that a plural church leadership with equal authority can make unbiased decisions that keep the church from following after a particular personality.

Secondly, a pastor is the head of the discipleship ministry, therefore it is sensible to conclude that a plural group of pastors can more effectively disciple the “sheep” that God leads to their discipleship ministry. For instance, a single pastor cannot possibly have his role of discipleship in the lives of all those in the flock entrusted to him by Christ effectively if he is involved in “biblical” discipleship in all of the church. As already noted, a single pastor cannot possibly minister to all varieties of people effectively. The philosophy of leadership will always require unbiased leadership and the best way to demonstrate unbiased leadership is to have a plural group of pastors that demonstrate godly decisions with little room for personal preferences.

Thirdly, if the church is being led by a single pastor, then the church is consistently dependent on the relationship that the pastor has with God. The Bible forbids man to place his trust in another man (Mic. 7:5, Jer. 17:5, II Cor. 1:9), therefore, the philosophy of church leadership should honor this principle. When a single pastor is leading the church in a shepherding position, then the church will be dependent on his relationship with God. Should the pastor fall, the entire church will suffer. To prevent this unneeded suffering, the reasonable church governing style, is a plural governing body with equal authority among a number of pastors.

Argument #3 - Biblical Argument

A few notable passages of Scripture can be found that seem to address a plural set of pastors throughout the book of Acts:

1. Acts 11:30 – Multiple elders from one church commissioned Paul and Barnabbas.
2. Acts 14:23 – During Paul’s ministry, multiple elders were placed single churches as Paul planted them.
3. Acts 15:2 – Plural apostles are seated along with the elders of the Jerusalem church.
4. Acts 20:17 – Paul calls the elders of the Ephesian church for a few quick words of exhortation.

Other Notable Passages:
1. James 5:14 – The plural group of elders from the single church are commanded to pray for the sick in the church.
2. Hebrews 13:17 – Plural group of people mentioned as having the authority over the individual.
3. Ephesians 4:11-12 – It would seem that the context and the content are referring to local church; there is plural “pastors (KJV).”

The Bible seems to show several passages that indicate a plural group of leaders ministering authority in the local church ministry. Some have argued that a plural leadership is only necessary if the church is large, but who makes that call? Who decides when the church needs another pastor? Unfortunately, the Bible does not provide this sort of information so it’s my sentiments to say that there should always be a plurality of leadership in the local church.

Conclusion

It seems that there has always been a temptation for mankind to take the easy way in every possible situation. That is why there is always a single leader that leads every institution that man has ever founded. But is the local church an institution that follows after the same foundational principles that the world is founded upon? God’s method of church leadership was founded on the basis of God, and there should be no swaying away from that. In the study of Ecclesiology, the Holy Spirit is the glue that holds the church together, not man. My opinion is that man has had issues in their local churches in the past while under plural leadership and there has been a difference of opinion and a church split because the leadership and the church got their eyes off of Jesus. When that happens, I believe that the separate local churches decided to lean on a single pastor. Instead of walking by faith and trusting God to put the men that He wanted into leadership, the church decided to adopt this new senior pastor mentality and allow him to make the decisions for the church.