In many Baptist churches, the familiar leadership structure includes one senior pastor, a group of deacons, and perhaps additional ministry staff. But is that the pattern we find in the New Testament?
As I’ve studied Scripture and grown in pastoral ministry, my understanding of church leadership has changed. I once assumed that every congregation should have a single pastor responsible for its spiritual oversight. Yet passages such as Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17–28, Titus 1:5–7, and 1 Peter 5:1–4 have challenged that assumption.
I have become convinced that the New Testament presents a pattern of shared pastoral leadership through a plurality of qualified elders.
This raises important questions: Are pastors and elders different offices? Does shared leadership undermine congregational authority? And how might this pattern serve an ordinary Baptist church?
Let’s examine what Scripture teaches and why it matters.
The Bible Shows Churches Had Multiple Elders
This isn’t based on one passage. It’s all over the New Testament. Every time leadership in a local church is described, it’s in the plural:
- Acts 14:23 – “They appointed elders for them in every church.”
- Titus 1:5 – “Appoint elders in every city as I directed you.”
- Acts 20:17 – Paul called the elders of the church in Ephesus.
- James 5:14 – “Call for the elders of the church” to pray.
- 1 Peter 5:1–2 – “I exhort the elders among you… shepherd the flock of God among you.”
These weren’t mega-churches. These were ordinary churches with shared leadership among several godly men.
Dr. Mark Dever put it well:
“There is no evidence in the New Testament that any of the churches had only one elder. In every instance, leadership is plural.”¹
Pastor, Elder, and Overseer Are the Same Office
You notice different words used—elder, overseer, and pastor—but in the Bible, these are not separate offices. They describe the same role from different angles:
- Acts 20:17, 28 – Paul speaks to the elders and tells them to “shepherd” (pastor) and “oversee” the church.
- Titus 1:5–7 – Paul tells Titus to appoint elders and then describes the qualifications for overseers.
- 1 Peter 5:1–2 – Peter calls elders to shepherd and oversee the flock.
Dr. John Hammett says it like this:
“Elder emphasizes maturity, overseer emphasizes leadership, and pastor emphasizes care—but they all refer to the same office.”²
That means when we talk about pastors, we’re really talking about elders. And when we talk about elders, we’re talking about pastors. Every elder is a pastor.
Plural Eldership Provides Accountability and Health
This isn’t just about getting leadership structure right—it’s about protecting the church and the men who lead it. When one man leads alone, the pressure is enormous. There’s a lack of accountability. And sometimes, unchecked pride or burnout can hurt the body.
A team of elders:
- Shares the burden of shepherding,
- Brings balance and accountability,
- Allows different gifts to be used,
- And guards the church more effectively.
Dr. David Allen reminds us:
“The New Testament never supports a CEO-style pastor. Biblical leadership is shepherd leadership in community.”³
Not Every Elder Preaches Every Sunday—but All Shepherd
While some elders focus more on preaching and teaching (see 1 Tim. 5:17), every elder shares in the shepherding of the church. Elders pray, care for members, protect the church from false teaching, and help lead in major decisions.
That doesn’t mean there’s no leader among leaders. Just like Peter often took the lead among the apostles, there is a “first among equals.” But he wasn’t above them—he served with them.
What About the “Angel of the Church” in Revelation 2–3?
This was a big sticking point for me. In Revelation 2–3, Jesus addresses letters “to the angel of the church in…”. Many commentaries say that angel refers to the pastor. But that interpretation isn’t certain.
The word angelos can mean angel (as in heavenly being), or it can mean messenger—a human representative.
Even if it does refer to a pastor, that doesn’t mean there was only one elder. It just means one man served as the public messenger. That doesn’t overturn the clear and repeated pattern we’ve already seen throughout the New Testament.
Dr. John Hammett says it well:
“It is unwise to build ecclesiological structure on apocalyptic symbolism, especially when the rest of the New Testament speaks clearly to the issue.”⁴
Can a Small Baptist Church Practice Shared Pastoral Leadership?
For many smaller Baptist churches, the idea of multiple pastors can sound unrealistic. A congregation may struggle to support even one full-time minister. Does that mean a plurality of elders is possible only in larger churches?
I don’t believe so.
The New Testament pattern of shared leadership is not necessarily a pattern of multiple paid staff members. Scripture emphasizes the character, qualifications, and responsibilities of those who shepherd the congregation, not the number of men receiving a salary.
A church might have one pastor who devotes himself vocationally to ministry while other qualified elders serve alongside him without compensation. Together, they share responsibility for teaching, shepherding, spiritual oversight, and caring for the congregation.
This arrangement does not eliminate the need for congregational accountability. In Baptist life, a plurality of elders should not become an independent governing body insulated from the church’s membership. Instead, shared pastoral leadership should strengthen the congregation by providing accountable shepherding under the authority of Christ and His Word.
The practical challenge is not simply finding enough men to fill positions. It is recognizing, preparing, and affirming biblically qualified men who are willing to shepherd God’s people faithfully.
A church should never manufacture a plurality merely to imitate a structure. But neither should it assume that shared pastoral leadership is beyond its reach because of its size.
Let’s Follow the Word
I believe the church should be led the way the Bible shows us: by a plurality of qualified men who shepherd together under Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).
This doesn’t mean getting rid of pastors. It means recognizing that pastor and elder are the same thing. God has designed leadership to be shared.
“Elders shepherd the flock, not by coercion, but through Christlike care and leadership. When done rightly, a plurality of elders magnifies the glory of the Great Shepherd.” – Dr. David Allen⁵
Let’s be faithful to Scripture—for the good of the church, the joy of her shepherds, and the glory of King Jesus.
Sources:
- Mark Dever, A Display of God’s Glory (9Marks, 2001), 21.
- John S. Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches (Kregel, 2005), 168.
- David L. Allen, lecture notes, “Text-Driven Preaching and Church Leadership,” SWBTS, 2018.
- Hammett, Biblical Foundations, 178.
- David L. Allen, interview, Preaching and Leadership panel, Text-Driven Preaching Conference, SWBTS, 2020.
For Further Study
As I’ve studied the Scriptures more closely, I’ve become increasingly convinced that the New Testament presents a pattern of shared leadership through a plurality of elders. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or church member, you may want to explore this topic further. Here are some trusted resources to guide your study.
These books, articles, and videos come from authors who are biblically grounded. Many of them have a Southern Baptist background. They offer both theological depth and practical help.
🏛️ Books Worth Reading
1. Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches
John S. Hammett – Kregel, 2005 (2nd ed. 2019)
A strong Southern Baptist ecclesiology that carefully walks through biblical teaching on church leadership. Hammett is clear, balanced, and deeply rooted in Scripture.
2. A Display of God’s Glory
Mark Dever – 9Marks, 2001
This short book packs a punch. Dever walks through the biblical offices of elder and deacon and explains why plural eldership promotes church health. Free PDF available from 9Marks.org.
3. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Mark Dever – Crossway, 2004
This classic work includes chapters on church leadership and how shared pastoral responsibility fosters growth and accountability.
4. Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus
Jeramie Rinne – Crossway, 2014
Biblically rich and incredibly practical. This is a great introduction to the role of an elder, especially for new candidates.
5. Elders in the Life of the Church
Phil Newton & Matt Schmucker – Kregel, 2014
Written by two Southern Baptist leaders who have transitioned churches to elder leadership. A perfect blend of theology and “how-to.”
6. Shepherds After My Own Heart
Timothy Laniak – IVP Academic, 2006
This biblical theology traces the shepherding motif from Genesis to Revelation. Not SBC-specific, but highly respected.
📰 Helpful Articles & Journals
📝 “Plurality of Elders” – 9Marks Journal (Spring 2010)
Read here
This whole issue is devoted to exploring the biblical, theological, and practical reasons for elder plurality, with articles by trusted voices like Dever and Rinne.
📝 “Elders in Baptist Churches: A Polity Not Merely Possible but Biblical” – Phil Newton
Search for it at equip.sbts.edu
A helpful defense of plurality from a Southern Baptist perspective, especially for those navigating tradition-based objections.
🎥 Audio & Video Resources
🎙️ Text-Driven Preaching & Pastoral Theology – Dr. David L. Allen
Available through SWBTS conference archives or YouTube
Dr. Allen frequently speaks on the connection between expository preaching and biblical church leadership. He offers strong support for team-based shepherding.
🎙️ 9Marks at Southeastern & SWBTS – Panel Discussions
Search for elder-related panels from these conferences. They often feature John Hammett, Mark Dever, and others. These speakers address how elder plurality works in real Baptist churches.
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