The way a church is structured and how it functions is what is known as ecclesiology, which is theology proper. This is how we view how the church works and is structured according to the Bible. We take our leadership example from Scripture, not from the corporate world. It is amazing of how much the Bible does teach on how a church is to run.
1. The Senior Pastor: At Vintage Jesus Christ is the Senior Pastor
Simply, if the person and ongoing work of Jesus is not exceptionally clear and practically integrated in the church then eventually the church will become very sick. According to 1 Peter 5:4, Jesus is actually called the Chief Shepherd, or senior pastor.
A. Jesus Christ is the apostle who plants a church (Hebrews 3:1)
B. Jesus is the senior pastor who leads the church (1 Peter 5:4)
C. Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:4; 2:10, 19)
D. Jesus grows and builds a church (Matthew 16:18)
E. Jesus shuts a church down for becoming faithless and/or fruitless (Revelation 2:5)
2. Elders/Pastors are the senior leaders in the church.
A. Elders are the senior male leaders of the church who are also Synonymously called “pastors,” “bishops,” and “overseers” throughout the New Testament (Acts 20:28;Ephesians 4:11; 1Peter 5:2).
B. Elders are men chosen for their ministry according to clear biblical requirements (1 Timothy 2:11–3:7; Titus 1:5–9).
C. The lead pastor is first among equals, scripture always talks of a plurality of elders, as well as lead elders like Timothy in his church.
D. When installed, elders must lead the church and never represent factions, agendas, or disgruntled or pushy people within the church.