About Our Leadership
Calvary Chapel differs from most mainline churches in its style
of church government.
Most churches are run with either a Congregational form of church
government (a democracy run by voting and committees), a
Presbyterian form (a board of elders over a Pastor), or an Episcopal
form (a monarchy that dictates what happens in local churches). Each
of these governmental forms have their positives and negatives, but
at Calvary Chapel, we have adopted what we believe to be a Biblical
model of church leadership.
Church government at Calvary Chapel is very simple, not a complex
bureaucracy. Committees and sub-committees are essentially
non-existent. At Calvary Chapel we believe that the Senior Pastor is
responsible for the church, responsible to hear from God, and
responsible to feed and love His people faithfully. The Senior
Pastor guides the church in the fear of the Lord as he is led by the
Holy Spirit.
Because the Senior Pastor is only one man, Elders and Pastors are
appointed to help the Senior Pastor care for the spiritual needs of
the congregation, and Deacons are appointed to help the Senior
Pastor care for the material needs of the church. (Check your church
bulletin for a list of all current Pastors, Elders, and Deacons.)
Feel free to call on these men for spiritual or physical assistance.
The appointment of Elders is done by the Senior Pastor (Titus 1:5),
in concert with much prayer and fasting (Luke 6:12-13). Deacons are
appointed following discussion and prayer by the Pastors, Elders,
and Deacons (Acts 6:3; 1Tim 3:10). The Biblical prerequisites for
both of these offices (Acts 6, 1Tim 3, Titus 1) are heavily weighed
and absolutely required.
Following is a list of ministries that Elders and Deacons assist the
Senior Pastor in ministering to the congregation physically and
spiritually. Please feel free to call upon your Pastors, Elders, or
Deacons to serve you. Their names and numbers are in the church
bulletin.
The ministries of a Deacon
Minister to someone after a rough time of temptation or stress. (Mat
4:11)
Minister to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the
sick, the prisoners. (Mat 25:44)
Provide for a need financially. (Luke 8:3)
Serve as Jesus served. (Mat 20:28)
Prepare the house, food, etc. for visitors. (Luke 10:40)
Be available to serve physical needs. (John 2:5)
Wait tables. (Acts 6:2)
Share the gospel. (1Cor 3:5)
Watch over finances. (2Cor 8:20)
Use spiritual gifts to minister to those in the church. (1Pet 4:10)
Serving with the strength that God supplies. (1Pet 4:11)
The ministries of an Elder
Guard the flock. (Acts 20)
Shepherd the church. (Acts 20, 1Pet 5)
Work hard to help the weak. (Acts 20)
Be an example to the sheep. (1Pet 5)
Go to the sick and pray over them, anointing them with oil. (James
5)
Discuss and come to conclusions regarding church doctrin. (Acts 15)
Preach and teach. (1Tim 5)
Choose men for the work of missions and ministry. (Acts 15)
Meet to hear the status of the church and ministries. (Acts 15, 21)
Have stewardship over what to do with church finances. (Acts 11:30,
Titus 1)
Take care of the church. (1Tim 3)
Rule what goes on in the church. (1Tim 5:17)