Leadership Structure

Church leadership structures vary across, as well as within, denominations. This post is not for the purpose of presenting the many varied structures and assessing the biblical merit or support for them. Rather the aim is to present the current and future leadership structure of Refuge Church.

In my reading and study of the Scriptures, I believe that the responsibility of leadership within the church was to fall upon the shoulders of one person (man). While I do affirm the place and role of a lead pastor, the early church in Acts and throughout the writings in Paul’s letters appears to have a plural leadership structure.

The word used for pastor is used synonymously in the New Testament with two others words—overseer and elder. We commonly use the term pastor (shepherd), since that is a common theme throughout Scripture, even being used to speak of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Regardless of the term used, the New Testament talks about the plural elder leadership in the church.

James tells believers in his letter that a sick person can call on the “elders” to lay hands upon them, anointing them with oil, praying for their healing.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church in Acts 13 and Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every town. Furthermore, Paul gave qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 as to who can serve as an overseer, since those who lead must be an example.

Elders (pastors or overseers) serve the church by providing godly and Christ-centered leadership and the consistent picture in the New Testament is a plurality of elders in the church.  While some churches have deacons serve in the capacity of elders, Mark Driscoll distinguishes the two well when he notes that elders serve the church through leading while deacons lead the church through serving.

Refuge Church currently has a directional leadership team. This team serves in an elder capacity, providing leadership and taking oversight responsibility. The intent and direction of Refuge Church is for the church to be led by a team of elders.

Yet even elders cannot shoulder all the responsibility within the church nor should they. In fact, one key responsibility of pastors/elders is to equip believers in the church to use their abilities and gifts to do the work of ministry. This is where at Refuge Church our ministry teams come into place.

Ministry teams are set-up to address specific ministry needs or accomplish specific ministry goals. For instance, at Refuge we have our First Impressions team as one of our ministry teams. This group takes responsibility for the guest experience from the parking lot to the worship area.  The Worship Team and A/V Team are also ministry teams that help set-up our worship space and lead in the worship service. With all these teams a directional leader/elder oversees and works together with the team leader and team to accomplish goals, address concerns, advance our mission, and meet our core values.

It is important that we move ahead with cultivating our ministry team leadership, as well as develop our directional leadership team further. 

Two items are of specific focus for all our teams in moving forward: meeting together and constantly refocusing and aligning with the mission.  Portability and the volume of things, not always seen, have hampered consistently having our ministry teams meet together. This directly flows into constantly refocusing and aligning with the mission. Over time, all companies and churches can drift from their intended purpose and original vision. Refocusing and continual realignment with our mission is needful to fight the drift.

I am certain as we mature at Refuge Church our leadership needs and structure will mature and grow.  I am incredibly grateful for all of those serving and leading at Refuge Church with our directional team, ministry teams, Life Groups, worship, kids ministry, and student ministry.  Be steadfast and unmovable as you flourish in the work of the Lord.


If interested in reading further on elders and elder leadership, consider this book by Benjamin Merkle. Click here.