by RBAR
As church leaders, it's essential that we ask ourselves: How does the Bible envision church leadership? How can we cultivate a church that reflects the unity, humility, and accountability that God desires in His body? In this post, I want to share with you a biblical vision of church leadership—one that’s rooted in the New Testament model of shared leadership, rather than a single "senior pastor" at the helm.
The Problem: The Rise of the "Senior Pastor"
When I first began my journey as an intern pastor, I struggled with the title "Senior Pastor." It felt off. In the 80s and 90s, it seemed like nearly every Baptist church marquee featured the words “Senior Pastor,” but the title just never resonated with me. While I was at Bible college, I discovered something eye-opening: There’s no biblical passage that directly supports the idea of a "senior pastor" in the church. This concept wasn’t founded in Scripture; it was simply a trend.
One of my seminary professors, Dr. JP Moreland, pointed out a phenomenon that became even clearer to me—the rise of the "celebrity pastor" syndrome. Pastors, as well-intentioned as they might be, began to carry a disproportionate weight, sometimes leading to burnout, moral failure, or churches splitting apart when the pastor fell. For me, this was the moment to ask: "Is this really the way the church is meant to function?"
The more I looked at Scripture, the more I began to see a different model—one where leadership is shared, not concentrated in the hands of one person.
The Bible’s Model: Plurality of Leadership
I want to challenge the popular ecclesiology (church structure) we’ve inherited, particularly the idea of the "senior pastor" model. What does the Bible say? The New Testament consistently shows a church led by a plurality of elders, not a single "lead pastor." The church was always led by a team of godly men working together in mutual accountability, each serving under the authority of Christ, the Chief Shepherd.
Let’s look at a few key Scriptures that reveal this:
1. Jesus, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:4: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (CSB).
This is an incredibly important verse because it establishes that Christ is the ultimate Shepherd. He is the one with ultimate authority over His church. The word "Chief Shepherd" (ἀρχιποίμην, archipoimēn) is used only here, and it refers exclusively to Jesus. Nowhere in Scripture is this title applied to a human leader. Church leaders, including pastors and elders, are “under-shepherds,” working under Christ’s authority, always pointing people back to Him.
2. The Appointment of Elders (Acts 14:23)
When Paul and Barnabas planted churches on their first missionary journey, they established elders in each of these new churches (Acts 14:23):
“They appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, entrusting them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.” (CSB)
Notice that they appointed multiple elders in each church, not one pastor to take the lead. This model of plural leadership was the norm in the early church. It wasn’t just practical—it was biblical.
3. A Farewell to the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:17, 28)
In Acts 20:17, Paul calls the Ephesian elders together and urges them to care for the church of God:
“From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the church… Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” (CSB)
Here, we see Paul speaking to a group of elders (plural). Notice that the responsibility of overseeing and shepherding the church is shared, not concentrated in one person. This plural leadership model is consistent throughout the New Testament.
4. The Call to Follow Faithful Leaders (Hebrews 13:7, 17)
In Hebrews 13, the author exhorts believers to respect their leaders, but importantly, these leaders are not just one individual—it's a plural leadership structure:
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Think of how their life turned out and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, CSB)
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, because they keep watch over your souls…” (Hebrews 13:17, CSB)
The early church followed a team of leaders who worked together in unity. The idea of submission to leadership wasn’t about elevating one person above the others but about recognizing the wisdom and accountability in a group of leaders committed to the well-being of the congregation.
5. A Diversity of Gifts for Unity and Growth (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Ephesians 4:11-16 highlights the diversity of leadership roles in the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. All of these are given by Christ to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ.
“From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.” (Ephesians 4:16, CSB)
Here we see that leadership isn't about a single "star" leader but a diverse team, each with unique gifts, working together to equip and mature the body of Christ. The beauty of the church is in its shared leadership and collective contribution.
What This Means for Us Today
As a church, this means we are not following the "lone leader" model. Instead, we embrace a plural leadership model, where accountability, humility, and mutual care are at the forefront. At the Church I co-pastor, my fellow pastors—Tim, Dave, and I—are committed to leading together as co-shepherds. We meet regularly, pray for each other, hold each other accountable, and work toward creating a Christ-centered, gospel-centered community. If/when one of us falls into sin, we are the first to know and hold each other accountable.
This model of shared leadership may look different from what you’ve seen in other churches, but it’s the way the New Testament describes leadership in the church. It’s about strength in unity, care through distributed gifts, and stability through mutual accountability.
A Call to Embrace Shared Leadership
I want to invite you to pray for us as your leaders. Ask God to help you submit to and support the leadership He has placed in our church. Together, we are striving to build a community that reflects the heart of Christ, the Chief Shepherd. Let’s work together to embrace this biblical model of leadership and follow Christ’s example of humility and service.
Conclusion
In a world that often elevates individual leaders, the New Testament offers a beautiful and biblical vision of shared leadership. As we look to Jesus as our Chief Shepherd, we must also embrace the way He calls us to lead and serve together, humbly and in unity. Let’s build a church that reflects Christ in all things.
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