My swipe at a doctrinal statement regarding leadership. Note the only distinction among elders/leaders is one of giftedness, not gender.
Jesus Christ is the Lord and sole Head (source and authority) of the true Church and every local expression of the true Church has the privilege, under Christ, to choose and govern its own affairs within the confines of Scripture. As the Body of Christ the Church includes all believers of all ages, from every tribe, and tongue, people, and nation. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through the loving guidance and capable leadership of a team of biblically qualified elders who shall be viewed as co-equal in status and authority but distinct in function as God has enabled and gifted them. Individuals are responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord and to their leaders as shepherds. (See Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 4:11-16; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3)
Your thoughts?
I especially appreciate your bolded sentence. I just finished helping our church write up new bylaws and tenets of faith. This is a good statement. May I ask why you skipped Ephesians 4:11-16?
Thanks for your comments. Skip Eph 4:11-16? Oh my!! Certainly not intentional and by no means any reason for it. It’s been added to the original. Thanks so much for bringing it up!