The Biblical Case for Elders and Deacons Over a Corporate Board
In my view, replacing the biblical roles of elders and deacons with a business-style board of advisors strays from the scriptural model for church governance. Scripture presents a clear framework: elders as spiritual overseers and deacons as servants meeting practical needs. This is not merely tradition—it’s a divine design rooted in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and Acts 6:2-4.

The New Testament paints elders as shepherds of God’s flock, tasked with teaching sound doctrine, guarding against error, praying for the sick, and modeling Christlike character (1 Peter 5:1-4; James 5:14; Titus 1:9). Deacons, meanwhile, support the church’s physical and logistical demands, freeing elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:2-4). Together, they form a leadership structure that prioritizes spiritual health over organizational efficiency.

Yet, some modern churches—often larger, non-denominational, or growth-focused—have traded this model for a corporate board of directors. Driven by a desire for streamlined decisions, legal compliance, or a CEO-like pastoral role, these boards emphasize strategy and oversight, sometimes retaining elder or deacon titles but diluting their biblical functions. This shift, noticeable since the mid-20th century, particularly in North American megachurches, reflects cultural influences more than scriptural mandates. Proponents argue it’s a practical adaptation; critics, myself included, see it as a drift from spiritual depth to managerial pragmatism.

Contrast this with the Bible’s vision. Elders are not executives but peacemakers, prayer warriors, and teachers—men of exemplary faith who settle disputes (Acts 15:1-2), shepherd humbly (1 Peter 5:3), and equip the church for maturity (Ephesians 4:12). Deacons, are appointed for service, ensure the flock’s needs are met without burdening the elders’ spiritual focus. This plurality of leadership—seen in Acts 14:23—guards against human ambition and fosters a healthy, faithful community.

The warning in James 3:1 looms large: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Eldership is a sacred calling, not a corporate position. When churches replace it with a business model, they risk dysfunction—elders not chosen by God but by man undermine the body they’re meant to serve. Scripture, not contemporary culture, must define how we lead Christ’s church. What do you think drives this shift away from the biblical pattern?