Define: “church governance” = “the act or process of overseeing and managing the
function, and direction of the church.”

1 Cor. 3:11 (CSB) For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.

1. Governance Allows Ministry Function to Determine Structure
Acts 6:1-4 (CSB) In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

• Biblical principle… the “work of ministry” takes precedence over the “organization” of ministry….it’s always function over form.

2. Governance Empowers Leaders to Share Ministry Responsibility

Exodus 18:13-22 (CSB) The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and they stood around Moses from morning until evening. When Moses’s father-in-law saw everything he was doing for them he asked, “What is this you’re doing for the people? Why are you alone sitting as judge, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?” Moses replied to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God’s statutes and laws.” “What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’s father-in-law said to him. “You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone. Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to him. Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 22 They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every major case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear it with you. 23 If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.”

3. Governance Establishes Spiritual Authority & Oversight in the Church
I Peter 5:2-3 (AMP) shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm; 3 not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation]

Heb. 13:17 (AMP) Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.

• Church governance operates as a spiritual function.
• Church governance requires accountability.

James 5:13-15a (AMP) = “Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone
joyful? He is to sing praises [to God]. Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the
elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up;”

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