It is 2026, a start of a new year! We recently announced how Peoples Church will be led in 2026, informing our congregation of those who will shepherd (elders), serve (deacons), and work (staff). Considering this announcement, here is a helpful reminder of the biblical offices and their function within the church. 

The Offices of the Church

            The church, consisting of members who are baptized believers in Jesus, seeks to organize itself “for service, not dominion.”[1] The head of the body (church) is Jesus, and “all authority in the church belongs to Christ.”[2] In order to advance Christ’s kingdom, each office stewards the authority that is given to them by Christ.[3] Scripture gives foundation to three distinct offices – Member, Elder, and Deacon. The three offices are dependent on one another in the pursuit of a God honoring, obedient, and healthy church.

Member

            A brief mention should be given to that of each baptized member of the church. Members, who have confessed Christ (Romans 12:2) and who have been baptized (Acts 2:38) hold a general office position. As members meet regularly together, they are to encourage one another (Hebrews 13:17). The members are also responsible for removing from their midst those who are under discipline (Matthew 18:16-18), and those who are false teachers (Galatians 1:8). The proper (also known as special) offices (elder and deacon) are selected from amongst the membership. Therefore, the membership holds general responsibility for selecting qualified individuals for positions of special authority. Furthermore, church members have mutual responsibility to expand the Kingdom of God through evangelism and discipleship (Matthew 28:16-20).

Elder

            The New Testament model is to appoint elders in every church (Titus 1:5). Elders are to lead the church,[4] and watch over the flock of God.[5] Each body of believers is to select from amongst the membership qualified men. Elders are to meet the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 which cover both character and ability. The elder is to be above reproach in all matters and are to be noted as well thought off by both the church and those outside the church. In serving the household of God, each elder is to manage his own household well as an example of one that honors God in both personal living and public service. In meeting the qualifications, each elder sets an example of holy living before the church that they are to imitate (1 Corinthians 11:1)

In Paul’s instructions to both Timothy and Titus, the office of elder is consistently described as a plural office. In other words, each church is to have multiple elders who serve together, with equal authority, shepherding the flock effectively as a team. Furthermore, the language used in both 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 indicates that the office of elder is a male only role. As elders derive their authority from the Word of God,[6] their power is limited to sound doctrine as declared by the Word of God. Elders are therefore should correctly handle the Word of God in both proclamation and application. Using Scripture as the foundation, elders are to protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17), visit and pray for members who are sick (James 5:14), and faithfully preach (2 Timothy 4:2).

Deacon

             The ministry of mercy “claims a special office of Deacon.”[7] The Deacon’s primary purpose is to serve the needs of the saints.[8] Deacons are to be selected from amongst the membership and are to meet the qualifications as defined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. As per Paul’s instructions, the deaconate is plural (multiple deacons) with qualifications focusing on the character of the individual. A servant heart is the core of who the deacon is. The membership is to identify, select, and vote upon each deacon. Unlike elders, deacons are not required to have an ability to teach for they do not exercise authority over doctrine, rather they are to lead in the practical management of the church.

The practical matters could range from the application of benevolence to management of building facilities. Deacons are to focus on benevolence, with special mention given to the administration of care toward widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Although not strictly correlated, the general ministry of deacons can be modelled after Acts 6 and the feeding of the widows.[9] The key to understanding the responsibilities of the deacon is to consider the needs of the church body and how best to facilitate those needs being met.

Conclusion

            The body of believers serves and are served by the head – Jesus. In seeking to expand the Kingdom of God, the church organizes itself through a general office of membership and special offices of elders and deacons. Each office is given limited authority over specific elements of the church, with each expected to take responsibility and contribute to the health of the church. 

[1] Clowney, Edmund P. Clowney. The Church: Contours of Christian Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995), 206.

[2] Ibid., 202.

[3] Ibid., 207.

[4] Mark Dever, and Jonathan Leeman. Baptist Foundations: Church Government for an Anti-Institutional Age (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 272.

[5] Ibid., 274.

[6] Dever, 279.

[7] Clowney, 212.

[8] Ibid., 213.

[9] Dever, 312.