Keys to Healthy Church Government (Part 2)

Four context considerations and four rules for victory

Building a Strong Leadership Foundation

Last week, I wrote Part 1 of an article about church leadership. It shared three biblical patterns of church government and identified a few of the major challenges to healthy church leadership, based on my decades of experience leading both a church and Christian ministry.

Today’s post is Part 2.

As a reminder, here are the three biblical patterns of church government from last week:

• Theocratic Governance (see Acts 6:1-4): A healthy church government starts with a submitted relationship with God. It is crucial that all decisions, plans, and visions originate from God rather than being merely human ideas. By prioritizing God’s guidance, church leaders align themselves with His will, ensuring blessings and success for the church.

• Apostolic and Prophetic Guidance (see Ephesians 2:19-22 and Ephesians 4:11-13): The apostolic gift replicates kingdom DNA in churches, establishing essential standards and doctrines. Apostles have a track record of successfully leading and planting churches. The prophetic gift authenticates God’s work and provides revelation and direction for local leaders and churches. Prophets can be identified by their Christ-like character and accurate hearing/application of God’s guidance.

• Singular Headship and Plural Leadership: A single leader helps set the vision for a congregation of followers of Jesus, and this leader is supported by the wise guidance of others—like a team of elders or deacons. For examples, see Jesus and the Disciples or Peter and the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Four Critical Context Considerations

While those biblical patterns give us three key ways to build strong foundations within our church leadership, we should also consider the context of each ministry. Cities are different. Neighborhoods are different. Congregations are different.

That means there is room for adaptability and contextualization of these models. Different churches may have unique needs and characteristics, and some aspects of governance may even vary across time. Churches are not static entities. What was necessary for your church 10 years ago may not be as critical or helpful today. Continuous evaluation, feedback, and adjustments are essential to ensure that the governance system remains effective and aligned with God’s purposes.

Here are a few important areas to consider:

1. Church Size and Maturity

Churches in various stages of growth and maturity may require different structures of leadership. Smaller, newer churches may benefit from a more hands-on approach. Lead pastors and staff members will often share a variety of responsibilities and areas of ministry. This will result in a “looser” or more flexible system of governance. At the same time, larger, established congregations may require a more elaborate system of leadership. With so many moving parts, multiple ministries, and a broad number of community responsibilities, structure and process will become very important.

2. Congregational Involvement

In some church contexts—especially newer or smaller ones—congregational involvement and decision-making may play a more significant role. Ensuring that members have a voice in certain areas of church governance can foster a sense of ownership and commitment. The strongest churches are strong because of their members and not necessarily their lead pastors.

3. Cultural Diversity

Churches in large cities, highly international neighborhoods, or within multi-generational communities will benefit from a diverse culture. Diversity can make these congregations vibrant and powerful. However, leadership will need to pay close attention to their governance model in order to accommodate and honor different cultural norms and values. This requires intentionality—it’s hard work—but can lead to a more inclusive and harmonious church community.

4. Efficiency vs. Spiritual Oversight

Good leaders value operational and organizational efficiency. Pragmatism matters, and these practical considerations lead to more effective ministries. However, the desire for efficiency must be balanced with spiritual oversight. Church leaders should avoid becoming overly bureaucratic—you don’t want the work of the Spirit to ever be held up by red tape. Remember: Healthy church government is not a rigid system but a dynamic, Spirit-led process that prioritizes God’s will and embraces biblical principles.