Most obvious in Church structure should be that Christ be the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18); with the Bible being the final Authority in any mater.

 

The third thing (see next paragraph) to be noticed in proper Church structure, is found in an important text, that being Titus 1:5:  “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.”  Therefore, the first thing Paul wanted to be set up in his absence was for “elders” to rule over the Church (see also Acts 14:23).

 

However, this would include the fact that when Paul was present, he would be what we might consider today to be the Pastor.  The same would apply to Acts 15:2, where the “Apostles” might be considered as being Pastors, while “elders” were present at the Jerusalem council also.  However again, Ephesians 4:11 calls for “Pastors” and “Apostles,” and as such, the Apostles (at that time) seemed to carry an even heavier weight than a Pastor.

 

The New Testament has many references to what the role of Church leadership should serve as.  Acts 14:23 speaks of the reason to ordain elders; while Acts 15:2 teaches that all disputes should be taken to and considered by the elders of the Church.  Acts 20:17 teaches us that when the Pastor calls for a meeting of the elders, it is in order to make corrections; while Titus 1:5 teaches us that deacons are to be elected in order to keep the Church running orderly.  James 5:14 teaches us that elders are instructed to be the ones who administer to the sick among the members of the Church.  This same structure applied in the history of Israel, all-be-it, it was under kingship (2Sa. 5:3; 17:4 & 15; 1Ki. 20:7).

 

In a side note, according to all the texts given thus far, there always was a plurality of “elders” mentioned.  Therefore, we must consider that each had particular “gifts of the Spirit,” in order to cover all the necessary functions of a well-run Church, i.e., some may be well suited for administration, some for teaching, some as evangelists, others still as prophets, some as disciplinarians, etcetera.

 

Next in line would appear to be both “Deacons (Deaconesses),” and “Bishops,” as found in First Timothy 3:2 & 8 & 10 & 12 & 13.  Their duties are found in the verses in-between 2-13.  However, we must pay particular attention to verse 5, in that it states: “how shall he take care of the Church.”  I believe a key text to help us understand exactly what that means is found in First Thessalonians 2:7:  “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.”  These must keep in mind that all brothers and sisters are at different spiritual levels and should be treated as such (see 1Co. 3:1-2).

 

Bottom line, all are to be “workers together with God,” Second Corinthians 6:1.  Ministers of the Church are to work for Jesus Christ, being interested in the salvation of both those in the Church and without.