At FVC we strive to balance the power of leadership. Our elders and pastor(s) form the main leadership team, but these men seek to lead with humility and grace. They consult with one another regularly in the decision making. As shepherds, they also stay close to the sheep of our church and have an open door to hear their views and concerns and opinions.

 

Two other things must be said about our church leadership. First, all the debate about which humans are in charge of the church seems to miss the most poignant truth of the Bible in this regard – Jesus is the head of His church! Paul makes that quite clear in Colossians 1:18–19 (NIV84) "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him."  We submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ as the head of this church and in humility before Him, we will listen to one another and strive together to hear His voice for the direction of this body of believers.

 

We strive to live out Jesus’ commands regarding titles and human prestige. Jesus warned us against using titles to refer to one another: Matthew 23:8–12 (NIV84) “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Yet, at the same time, as we have already written, God does call men to serve in His church as pastors, elders and deacons. Having said that, no leader in the New Testament ever has the title attached to his name. For instance, there is never a reference to Pastor Titus or Pastor Timothy. We don’t even know the names of any elders or deacons in the Bible. We fully recognize the functions of oversight for elders and caring for deacons and shepherding for pastors, but find it best to refer to one another as brothers, affirming our mutual submission to one another and to the Lord Jesus Christ.