Church Government

The Bible's teaching on the subject of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Although there are three terms used for the offices of the church (bishop, elder, and deacon), analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder are used interchangeably.

Based on the qualifications listed in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3), elders at Coram Deo Bible Church must be:

• Above reproach
• Husband of one wife
• Sober-minded
• Self-controlled
• Respectable
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not a drunkard
• Not violent or quick tempered, but gentle
• Not quarrelsome
• Not a lover of money or greedy for gain
• Manage own household well
• Not a recent convert
• Well thought of by outsiders
• Not arrogant
• Lover of good
• Disciplined
• Upright and holy
• Holding firm to the trustworthy Word

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 Elder Board.

Direction

Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with Coram Deo Bible Church's mission statement and core values.

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.

The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23, 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, aligns with the Scripture's teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:4, 12:15, 15:22, 19:20, 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.

The Coram Deo Bible Church Senior Pastor automatically serves as an elder and, because of his public presence and responsibility before the congregation, may be considered first among equals as a member of the Elder Board. The Senior Pastor should be gifted primarily as a preacher/teacher and as a leader.

The Bible teaches that deacons lead by serving (Acts 6:1-6). The qualifications for elders and deacons are the same regarding an individual's character, but they differ in aptitude. The elders are to be able to teach while the deacons are to be able and proved as servants.

Based on the qualifications listed in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:8-12), deacons at Coram Deo Bible Church must be:

• Dignified
• Not double-tongued
• Not addicted to much wine
• Not greedy for dishonest gain
• Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience
• Tested
• Blameless
• Have a wife who is dignified, not slanderous, sober-minded, and faithful in all things
• Husband of one wife
• Manage their children and household well