Elder Leadership at Mayflower
Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV)
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
Here is a glimpse into the elders' relationships at Mayflower Church.
Under the leadership of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, in whom all authority and dominion rests, a plurality of elders sets the philosophical and theological direction of the church's ministry. More than one elder in each local congregation is the New Testament pattern. Luke writes: And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord they had believed. (Acts 14:23, ESV) Paul tasks Titus (1:5) to appoint elders in every town. James (5:14) encourages those who are sick to call the church's elders. When writing to believers in Asia Minor, Peter takes a moment to encourage the church's elders (1 Peter 5:1-2, ESV). The pattern is set. The church is to be led by a plurality of elders. These under-shepherds are men (1 Timothy 2:12–14) who meet the office's biblical qualifications.
When I consider the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, four church leadership dynamics are on display: Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers (Acts 15:22, ESV). First, the apostles and the elders/pastors have gathered to consider a matter before the church (in this case, circumcision and the use of the Law among the gentiles) (Acts 15:6). The second dynamic to note is the presence of the assembly (Acts 15:12, 22). The assembly is the whole number of the disciples (Acts 6:2, 5) and denotes a large crowd, the congregation. The team from the Jerusalem Church and the missionary team led by Paul discuss the matter together and how God is working among them. The third dynamic emerges as a result: James steps forward to frame the discussion from the Scripture, demonstrating that there is a point leader, much like Titus in Crete, who is the first among equals. Fourth, the congregation, hearing the discussion and discussing it themselves (1), affirms the apostles and elders' decisions.
I believe that the above passages of Scripture applied today would affirm a governance model that includes a lead pastor who is among a plurality of elders and the congregation's active involvement, especially on weighty matters.
Why do I share all of this with you? I want to reassure you that as a pastor, I lead among a group of elders. As do the other elders, I treasure the unity that we share, and we do not move forward without complete agreement on a matter. I would not bring a proposal before the congregation if the elders were not unanimous regarding its need and importance. When I stand before you to preach or to lead, I do not stand alone. I stand side by side with the other elders. Like Peter or James, I step forward to speak. And, like them, I step out from among the elders to express what we believe the Lord is saying to or desires of the congregation. Second, the church, the congregation, is vital to a biblical pattern of discerning the Lord's leading. On any matter of importance, the congregation will always be a part of decision-making at Mayflower. Suppose the elders believe the Lord is leading us to make weighty or significant decisions. In that case, we will always invite the congregation into the discussion to discern the will of God together.
(1) Acts 15:12, they fell silent implies they were not silent but were discussing the matter at hand.