I am fully aware that this section on biblical polity is going to be new and/or controversial to many of you. All I ask is that you might consider researching the Bible itself to see if these perspectives seem to be more biblical than your existing polity dynamics.
How many Pastors should a biblical church have? (Answer: Plural)
1. Let us begin with the compelling explicit description of plural Pastors/Elders for a singular church being referred to in James 5:14.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the Pastors/Elders (plural) of the church (singular local church), and let them (plural) pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
How many Pastors should a biblical church have? (Answer: Plural)
1. Let us begin with the compelling explicit description of plural Pastors/Elders for a singular church being referred to in James 5:14.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the Pastors/Elders (plural) of the church (singular local church), and let them (plural) pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
There is no other possible reading for this passage. Here is a singular church which has plural Pastors/Elders. Now, I suppose that someone who is unconditionally bonded to the view that a local church should have only one Pastor/Elder might want to argue that this paradigm of plural Pastors/Elders is not the norm in the teaching of the New Testament. However, that assertion would be completely wrong. It is, indeed, the clear teaching in the New Testament that a local church has plural Pastors/Elders.
2. Consider Acts 14:23 and Titus 1: 5-7
And when they (Paul & Barnabas) had appointed Pastors (Elders) for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed (Acts 14:23)
For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint Pastors (Elders) in every city as I directed you. Titus 1: 5
To be frank, some folks just simply misunderstand the syntax of these two verses. They feel that the Leaders are appointing plural Pastors/Elders/Overseers in plural churches/cities—one pastor in each church equals plural pastors spread out over plural churches.
Unfortunately, the Greek syntax in these texts do not support that interpretation. In the Act passage, the Greek language refers to plural Pastors/Elders in every “singular church” (not plural churches). Likewise, in the Titus passage, the language depicts plural Pastors/Elders in each city (which has only one church). In my opinion, the best translation of both texts would read as follows: appoint Pastors (Elders) in each church (singular)
In order for a local church to disagree with this biblical pattern of appointing/calling plural Pastors/Elders for each singular church, the Greek language and syntax would have to support the translation: appoint a singular Pastor/Elder in each church. The Greek text cannot be warped enough to even remotely support such a translation.
3. Consider the numerous cites where singular churches are reflected having plural Pastors/Elders:
- plural elders in Philippi-Phil 1:1
- plural elders in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; 15: 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4; 21:18)
- plural elders in various churches visited by Paul & Barnabas- Acts 14:23
- plural elders in Ephesus- Acts 20:17; Eph. 4:11
- plural elders in the cities of Crete- Titus 1:5-7
4. Summary: I find no evidence in the Scriptures for the contention that each local church should have only one pastor. Rather, I see the normative paradigm that each church has a Team of Pastors which functions in these three orbits:
-the Overseeing Ministry of the church (episcopos)
-the Teaching Ministry of the church (presbuteros-Elder)
-the Shepherding Ministry of the church (poimen)
5. Our terminology may vary: -a Team of Pastors
-a Team of Overseers
-a Team of Elders
-a Team of Shepherds
6. Each Pastor on the Team of Pastors must meet the 17 qualifications of 1 Tim 3: 1-7. These biblical qualifications are a much higher bar than the qualifications required for a Servant Minister (diaconia- 1 Tim 3:8ff).
7. Other biblical illustrations of a Team of Plural Pastors functioning in a local church:
-Acts 1: 15, 21-26 -a Team of 11 Pastors with Peter (vs.15) as Lead Pastor (to call Matthias to replace Judas)
-My exegesis clearly concludes that:
the “us” in vss. 17, 21, 22 and the “they” in vs.23 clearly refer to the 11, not the 120.
-Acts 6: 1-4 -a Team of 12 Pastors (vs. 2) led probably by Peter
-to create a ministry task for and identification of Servant Ministers to assist the Pastors
-Acts 13: 1-3 -a Team of Pastors (prophets & teachers) @ the church at Antioch
-to ordain Saul & Barnabas for missionary ministry
Three Options for the Team of Pastors who work with the Lead Pastor (or a combination of the three):
Option #1: Lay Pastors:
This option depicts that this Team of Pastors are qualified lay members of the congregation
-1 Tim 3:1-7 Pastors who are identified from within the congregation
-they are folks who assist the Lead Pastor in teaching, shepherding, leading/managing
-these men will be “ordained” as Pastors/Overseers/Elders/Shepherds
Option #2: Bi-vocational Pastors
This option depicts that this Team of Pastors are qualified believers hired on staff for part-time ministry
-1 Tim 3: 1-7 Pastors who may be identified from within the congregation or from outside the congregation
-they are folks who assist the Lead Pastor in teaching, shepherding, leading/managing
-these men will be “ordained” as Pastors/Overseers/Elders/Shepherds
-Personal note: In my personal opinion, Option #2 is more correctly aligned with the Bible than Option #1.
Option #3: Full-vocational staff Pastors
This option depicts that this Team of Pastors are qualified believers hired on staff for full-time ministry
-1 Tim 3: 1-7 Pastors who may be identified from within the congregation or from outside the congregation
-they are folks who assist the Lead Pastor in teaching, shepherding, leading/managing
-these men will be “ordained” as Pastors/Overseers/Elders/Shepherds
-Personal note: In my personal opinion, Option #3 is more correctly aligned with the Bible than Option #1.
Avoiding the Presbyterian Error that there are Two Classes of Pastor/Elder (Teaching & Ruling)
1. This Presbyterian view, in my opinion, grows out of a flawed understanding of 1 Tim 5:17:
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worth of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
According to my friend Dr. Roy Taylor (WRTC, p. 81), this is the biblical basis for having one class of Elders who are laymen leaders in the church (called Ruling Elders) and also having a second class of Elders who are the ordained pastors (or ministers) of the church (called Teaching Elders).
2. What does this passage actually teach?
In my opinion, no reasonable hermeneutic can yield the exegesis that this passage is addressing the distinction of two classes of Elders. Rather, exegesis of this passage should lead a responsible interpreter to conclude that the passage is highlighting those Elders who rule well and who work hard at preaching and teaching from those other Elders who do not rule as well or work as hard.
A very helpful clarification by many scholars is that the mention of “double honor” is related to the very next verse:
“For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,’ and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
This helpful clarification is that this passage probably has to do with a Pastor/Elder’s salary compensation. Those who master their craft at ruling and teaching should receive the honor of a greater commensuration. This passage has nothing to do with establishing two differing classes of Elders.
Finally, 1 Tim 3 makes it very clear that all (not just some) of the Overseers, Elders, Shepherds have the responsibilities to both rule/oversee (3: 1, 2) as well as to teach (3:2). There is no distinction that one class of Overseers primarily rules (but does not primarily teach/preach) and the other class of Overseers primarily teaches/preaches (but does not primarily rule).
How are these Pastors on the Team of Pastors to be chosen?
At this point in polity discussion, almost everyone (including me) have to admit that the biblical teachings on polity in the infant church in the NT are sometimes less explicit than what we might desire. It is in this arena of the selection of the Team of Pastors/Overseers/Elders/Shepherds where most of us wish the Word of God gave us a little more help.
Here is what I understand what the Scriptures do, in fact, teach about the selection of this Team of Pastors:
While this is not a popular assertion with most churches today, it does seem that the biblical pattern for the calling of the Team of Pastors begins with the identification and the initial appointment by the Primary Leader (the Lead Pastor).
1. In the OT, Moses appointed his Elders (see Exodus 18:21-27; Numbers 11:16-25).
2. In the NT:
-The two pastors, Paul and Barnabas, appointed their Pastors/Elders (Acts 14: 23).
-Paul instructed Titus to appoint Pastors/Elders for each city church (Titus 1:5).
- Here is the definition of these verbs in these two NT passages above (see Arndt & Gingrich) Kathistimi (Titus 1:5)
-this verb means to appoint, put in charge, ordain (see A&G p. 391)
Cheiroptoneo (Acts 14:23)
-this verb can sometimes (but rarely) mean to choose by show of hands: unfortunately, this has been the incorrect translation of both Presbyterian and some congregational polities.
- it is crystal clear that the primary core meaning of cheiroptoneo in this passage is that the Team of Pastors/Elders of Acts 14:23 were not chosen by the congregations; this determination does not involve a choice by any group; here the word clearly means to be appointed and installed by the primary leader (see A&G p.889).
3. It is clear from both the OT and the NT that the initial choosing of the Team of Pastors/Elders is an appointment made by the Primary Leader and not a simple election by the congregation.
Unfortunately, the Scriptures give very little more than this on this specific subject of selecting the Team of Pastors. However, I believe that we can draw from elsewhere in the Bible to help us develop a process of choosing our Team of Pastors which will facilitate interlocking or intertwining key roles in this selection process. I propose the following process:
Step 1: The Inner Call
There must be an inner call from God on the man to serve (1 Tim 3:1—he aspires to serve)
-“The divine origin of true elders must also be emphasized. Acts 20:28 emphasizes this with the words “the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.’ Ephesians 4:11 emphasizes that pastor-teachers are gifts of Christ. Thus, the authority of true elders finds its origin in the activity of the risen Christ and the Spirit whom He has poured out on the church.” WRTC, p. 219
Step 2: The Season of Suggestions
In my opinion, there should be a “season of suggestions” from members of the congregation. These suggestions are made by the congregation directly to the Lead Pastor (not a nominating committee). The extrapolated biblical basis for this is Acts 6 when members of the congregation brought suggestions for the Seven to their leaders.
Step 3: The Season of Equipping
The Lead Pastor should consider and identify the men with the needed gifting, qualities, abilities, etc. to further the ministry of the Kingdom of God at that particular church. The Lead Pastor should train/equip/disciple
(Eph 4: 11-12) and then appoint the men whom the Lord leads him to choose. Of course, the Lead Pastor (or his designees) must conduct a strenuous examination to insure that each man has the 17 biblical qualifications of this office (1 Tim 3: 1-7), the biblical/theological training for the ministry, the gifting for the ministry, etc. This season of equipping may take 4-6 months or more.
Step 4: The Ratification by the Congregation
There should be a ratifying vote by the congregation confirming the man/men for the Team. While it is difficult to find in the scriptures any such ratifying vote by the church members, I am taking my lead from Acts 6 in which members of the congregation examined and confirmed the Seven to meet the three qualifications set down by the Apostles. However, appealing to Acts 6 does, in fact, limit the scope of the congregation’s responsibility. They are only to vote on whether or not they conclude that the man meets the biblical qualifications of 1 Tim 3: 1-7. This is not a vote on whether or not they like his preaching, his personality, his style, or anything else which would constitute for voting for “the man which I want”. This is only a vote upon his biblical qualifications.
Probably a 2/3 vote should be required.
Step 5: Ordination by the Lead Pastor
The Lead Pastor ordains the new member of the Team of Pastors. Of course, 1 Tim 5: 22 cautions that this “laying on of hands” is a serious matter to be approached cautiously lest someone be ordained who is not qualified for the biblical role.
How should this Team of Pastors and the Lead Pastor work together?
Much like a football coach who has the privilege of identifying and hiring his own coaching staff, this “Team of Pastors” consists of qualified Pastors whom the Lead Pastor has identified and recruited to his Team and have been trained by the Lead Pastor and have been ratified by the congregation. They are men whom he has chosen and appointed with the gifts, talents, and abilities which the Lead Pastor feels is needed to further the Kingdom ministry at the local church.
This Team of Pastors works for, is under the authority of, and is supervised by the Lead Pastor (or his designee). As it is the Lead Pastor’s authority to ordain and or hire any biblically qualified man to his Team of Pastors, it is correspondingly within his sole authority to fire and/or remove any Pastor from his Team. The decision of the Lead Pastor is final. The termination of any pastor by the Lead Pastor should not require congregational approval.
This team of Pastors/Elders (led by the Lead Pastor) will have spiritual oversight of the local church, will lead the local church in her ministries via Ministry Arenas and Ministry Team Managers and Servant Ministers, will choreograph the shepherding of the flock, will manage the ministries of the church, will hear from the Lord on His vision and mission for the local church, and will assist in equipping the saints in the church to do the ministry of the church (Eph 4:11-13), etc.
This team of Pastors/Elders will serve as the primary AWE team for the Lead Pastor. They will advise, work for and with him, and encourage him in his role as the stable primary leader of the local church. This is normally not a committee which votes to determine the direction and ministries of the church. Normally, it is not majority rule unless that is what the Lead Pastor wants. This team serves at the pleasure of the Lead Pastor and helps him in any endeavor and in any manner in which he needs help.
How will leadership “overseer” decisions be made by the Lead Pastor/Elder and the Team of Pastors/Elders
Option 1: Consultation Model
-Lead Pastor consults the Team but he makes the decision by himself as he seeks the Lord (no Team vote needed)
Option 2: Confirmation Model
-Lead Pastor consults the Team but he makes the decision by himself as he seeks the Lord (no Team vote needed)
-BUT: if there is a “challenge the chair” motion made at the meeting and 2/3 of the Team members (not counting the Lead Pastor) vote to veto the Lead Pastor’s decision, the decision by the Lead Pastor is overruled and nullified
-such an overruling vote would constitute the Team “pulling the emergency brake” on the leadership of the Lead Pastor and would clearly indicate a lack of trust in the Team for their Lead Pastor and this lack of trust may need to be addressed directly and quickly by the Lead Pastor and/or the congregation.
-this overruling vote should be used sparingly and should be reserved for those rare occasions when the Lead Pastor is leading the church down the path toward sin and/or biblically unwise actions
Option 3: Collaborative Model
-Lead Pastor must persuade/influence Team of Pastors to agree with him
-all of the Team of Pastors both advise and collaborate on all leadership “overseer” decisions
-all decisions are made by majority vote of the Team, including the vote of the Lead Pastor
-while this model is sometimes chosen by a Lead Pastor, this model has very little biblical support
How many Pastors should be on the Team?
I am persuaded that the number of Team Pastors should be determined by the Lead Pastor and will usually be linked to the size of the church and the broadness of the ministries in the church which need to be led.