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The Design of the Church

The head of the church is Jesus, Himself. "And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church." (Colossians 1:18)

The human roles which make up the church include all the saved, who are members of the body; elders, who serve as overseers; deacons, who are servants to the church; evangelists or ministers, who teach and preach the gospel message. All Christians are called "saints," and all Christians are described in the New Testament as "priests." (Several passages in the New Testament describe these roles, including Acts 2:47; Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 4:1-5, and I Corinthians 12:27-28.)

The elders (also called bishops, presbyters, pastors, and shepherds are charged with leading and watching out for the congregation over which they serve. The Bible describes them as:

• Married to one woman, with children who believe and are respectful
• Temperate, self-controlled, respectable and hospitable
• Not one who get intoxicated, violent quarrelsome, or who is a lover of money
• Able to teach, not a new convert
• Having a good reputation within the community

The office of Deacon is also described in the New Testament. Deacons are to be:

• Respectable, sincere, sound in faith
• Married to one woman (who is not a gossip), with children who are respectful
• Free of drinking to excess and seeking dishonest gain

Ministers, or evangelists, are men who are faithful in proclaiming the gospel message of the New Testament. They are to preach to please God, not to please men.

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