We believe that the Bible teaches a Presbyterian form of church government. The word Presbyterian is derived from the Greek word for elder presbuteros.
The New Testament gives explicit direction for the appointment of a plurality of elders in every church (i.e., Titus 1:5; Acts 20:17), and provides clear qualifications for the office of elder (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). We understand the office of elder to be divided into two distinctive roles, that of ruling elder and teaching elder or pastor (I Timothy 5:17). Both ruling and teaching elders are responsible to provide eager spiritual oversight for every member of their flock (I Peter 5:1-3). However, the teaching elder or pastor is called, in particular, to “work hard at preaching and teaching.” (I Timothy 5:17)
The eldership are responsible to shepherd and feed the flock through spiritual oversight, discipline, doctrine, and the right administration of the sacraments.
The Presbyterian system of government is representative, in which members of the local church are accountable to their session of elders, sessions are accountable to their local presbytery, and presbyteries are accountable to the General Assembly (Acts 15). In an age when moral and doctrinal oversight is rare in the church, God’s prescribed form of shepherding His people exalts His divine wisdom and care.
