The church is led by Christ alone through the Holy Spirit. Church leadership should operate as a team of elders/pastors, not a single leader, following the New Testament model. Decisions are made through consensus as the Spirit speaks to the entire leadership team. This mutual accountability prevents any one person from having too much power and ensures the church follows Christ's leading.

1. Biblical leadership
There is no leader (singular)
in the church
but Christ
By JanEgil Gulbrandsen

2. The church is not built
on a corporate model
of “a leader” (singular)
on top
as if it was a business.

3. Jesus – by The Holy Spirit
is to be
the only church leader (singular)

4. Church leadership
on a local level, should
always be operating as
team leadership (plural)
The bible calls it elders (plural)
never elder (singular)

5. The church is never to
execute
the pastor’s vision

6. The Holy Spirit
always speak in unison to
“the church”
Yes – He also speak to individuals –
evangelists and church planters.
End when the church is established, he
puts in elders (pastors)

7. If you are not familiar with the term
elders and prefer the modern term,
it is:
Pastors – or pastor team,
never
a one man show
of a single pastor
(or single elder model)

8. The pastors lead from
the round table
(signaling equal importance)
where “all” the gifts
are represented
(see list later)

9. Decisions are made
as the Spirit always speak the same
to all and leaders come to a
unanimous description
Sometimes this can take time, but after seeking the Lord,
- after conversations, studying the Word, prayer,
and being focused on
“what the Spirit is saying to the church”,
the right decisions will be made.

10. Why did God want it this way:
Mutual accountability
No man is above temptation
- temptation to sin –
or temptation to feed his own ego
by executing power.

11. Remember:
Christ is in all of us.
Christ speak to all of us.
It is His church.
Together we hear from Him
and do His work
as He leads us (plural)

12. Until the church
get back to the New Testament
leadership model,
Christ will not be able to lead the
church as intended.

13. The days of middleman
between God and man
(men of flesh and blood)
is over.
(the only middleman between the
Father and man, is Christ)

14. Biblical Leadership
can be illustrated this way:

15. “The church board” – doing what the Spirit leads

16. It is a good practise for the leadership to
chose a preses (Latin)
(a presiding officer, a leadership
coordinator, facilitator or chair person)
A good title can be Lead Pastor.

17. Question: "Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list?"
Answer: There are actually three biblical lists of the “gifts of
the Spirit,” also known as spiritual gifts. The three main
passages describing the spiritual gifts are Romans 12:6-8; 1
Corinthians 12:4-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28.
The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying,
serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy.
The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 includes the word of wisdom,
the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers,
prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues
with interpretation of tongues. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:28
includes healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
These gifts should be represented in the church leadership –
the church board.

18. The church board – executes “the pastor’s vision”
The Pastor.
( the one who hears from God
and tells the people)

19. The church board – executes “the pastor’s vision”
The Pastor.
( the one who hears from God
and tells the people)

20. May God help you in organising
the local church
For comments or input - please contact:
gulbrandsen@islandnet.com