Government of the Church

We believe that ultimately every local church is subject to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Head of every man (1 Cor. 11:3); the Head of all things to the church - all powers are under Him and subject to Him (Eph. 1:22; Col. 2:10); and the Head of the church (Eph. 5:23). We are comfortable using the terms pastor and deacon for the leadership and service roles of the church. We do not have any problem referring to the pastor[s] of the church as elders or overseers since the NT uses the terms for pastor, elder, and overseer to describe the various roles of the same office (Tit. 1:5, 7; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28). These men who serve as pastors, elders, overseers must be spiritually mature men that meet the Scriptural qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). The NT seems to point to a plurality of these men in the local church (Acts 6:2, 13:1, 14:23, 20:17; James 5:14) but with one man as the leader of the leaders (Acts 12:17; 15:13; Rev. 2-3; Titus 1:4-5). Given the latitude in the biblical information, it would not be wrong for a church to have only one pastor, elder, overseer. When given the opportunity, though, it seems profitable for a church to have more than one pastor, elder, overseer. Deacons are spiritually mature men who serve the church and help the pastors (elders, overseers) with the care of people’s needs and various functional needs of the church (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).

The leaders of the church are called and selected by God (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 1:12), agreed upon by the congregation (Acts 6:3-6), and appointed by existing church leaders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). God prohibits women from teaching or having authority over men in the church (1 Cor. 14:33-36; 1 Tim. 2:11-14; 3:2, 4-5; Titus 1:6; but cf. 1 Cor. 11:1-16). Christ has given gifted leaders to local churches that can teach the word of God, build up Christians, and equip them to do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). Church members are supposed to submit to the authority of church leaders and follow their faithful example (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Thess. 1:6; Heb. 13:7,17). Church leaders are to shepherd the flock but never exert harsh dominance over it (1 Pet. 5:2). There is NT evidence that local churches made individual (Spirit-guided) decisions: they selected their own deacons (Acts 6:3-6), determined who was to be sent out for missionary work (Acts 13:1-3), and disciplined their own members (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-13). Local churches should look for ways to encourage and enjoy fellowship with other local churches because all true believers are part of the body of Christ. There is evidence that local churches at times depended on counsel from one another to make wise decisions about difficult issues (Acts 15). It is wise for pastors to seek counsel from one another.

We believe that Christians and the church are to fully cooperate with the civil government in matters that do not violate scripture (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). God has given the government to promote wellbeing, order, and justice within society (Exod. 18:13-27; Deut. 16:18-20; 1 Sam. 23:3; Jer. 30:21; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2.13-17). When Christians are asked or commanded by government to do things that oppose God and the Lord Jesus Christ, they should obey God instead of man (Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Matt. 10:28; Acts 4:18-20; 5:28ff).

Jay Cross and his wife Kelly are grateful for the way God has led them over the years, including the privilege of serving with a Spanish-speaking church plant in Peru for six years. That experience, along with many years of ministry in other contexts, has been a vital part of their preparation for their current disciple-making service to the Lord in Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Florida.

Central Florida is home to people from many nations, and many of them speak Spanish. God has placed in Jay and Kelly a growing desire to make disciples of Jesus by clearly proclaiming the truth of God’s Word in both Spanish and English. Their heart is to see lives transformed and churches strengthened through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As they step into this new season of ministry, they are excited to partner with other believers in reaching their diverse community for Christ. Jay and Kelly are also the proud parents of five wonderful daughters, and together they look forward to seeing what God will do as they serve Him as a family.

To God be all the glory, forever and ever!

Lead Pastor, Elder, Overseer

Jay Cross