Home - About Harvest - What We Believe - About Church Government Harvest is committed to the Bible's teaching that men who hold the offices of Elder and Deacon are to oversee various functions of the local church.

The Bible's teaching on the subject of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Although there are three terms used for the offices of the church, i.e. bishop, elder and deacon, analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder are used interchangeably while deacon is used separately. 

Elders at Harvest:

 The Elder's Qualifications—Titus 1:6-9

Above reproach
Able to teach
Husband to one wife
Not addicted to wine
Temperate
Not antagonistic
Prudent
Noncontentious
Respectable
Free from the love of money
Hospitable
Able to manage his own household
Not a new convert

The Elder's "Job" 

The Scriptures show that the Elders serve by shepherding the church. This means that Elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the congregation, including the Scriptural instruction, leadership and protection of the church body. This leadership primarily illustrates itself in three primary areas of respnsibility.

Doctrine. Ensuring that the doctrine of the church is biblical; all doctrinal issues in the church will be settled by the Board of Elders;

Direction. Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with the Harvest Bible Chapel statement of purpose and the four pillars;

Discipline. Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 and Romans 16:17.

Plurality of Elders

The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches—Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1. The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly elders, exercising their individual giftedness, squares with the Scripture's teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors -- Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 24:6. This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings on the Elder Board.

Senior Pastor as an Elder

The Harvest Bible Chapel Senior Pastor automatically serves as an Elder and, because of his public presence and responsibility before the congregation, may be considered first among equals as a member of the Elder Board. The Senior Pastor should be gifted primarily as a preacher/teacher and as a leader.

Deacons at Harvest:

The Bible teaches that Deacons lead by serving—Acts 6. The qualifications for Elders and Deacons are the same regarding an individual's character, but they differ in aptitude. The elders are to be able to teach while the deacons are to be able and proved as servants.

Deacon Qualifications: 1 Timothy 3:8-12

Individual of dignity
Above reproach
Not double tongued
First tested as servants
Not addicted to wine
Spouses must be faithful
Dignified
Temperate
Not fond of sordid gain
Holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience
Husband of one wife
Manages household well

Deacon Responsibilities:

At Harvest, Deacons are responsible for the financial oversight of the church, the stewardship of Harvest's facilities and the benevolence ministries of the church.