Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

A. The pastorate is universally recognized as a necessary office of the Church.

B. Churches organize their forms of government in different ways.

1. Problem of defining how to “pastor” a church

a. No prescription in the NT for just how to organize

b. Much variation in the NT as to what was involved in the government of the churches

2. Different churches govern themselves in different ways, and the pastor’s authority varies based on each system.

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a. Episcopal form of church government

(1) Authority resides with the bishop.

(2) The number and scope of the bishops may vary from church to church.

(3) Different levels of ministry and degrees of authority

(a) Level one: ordinary minister (or priest)

(b) Level two: level of the bishop

b. Presbyterian form of church government

(1) Authority placed upon bodies and groups which represent the churches and exercise the authority (2) Elders chosen by the congregation who are selected as qualified to oversee the affairs of the church