Jesus Christ as Head
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of His church, both universally and locally. It is our conviction is that He as Head exercises his authority over the local church through the teachings of Scripture and the presence of His Spirit among His people.
Elders
Pastor-Elders in the local church are the highest form of human government, and lead the church in submission to Jesus Christ and each other.
The local church is not a democracy but led by men appointed and recognized with the gift and grace for leadership. Elders oversee/govern every aspect of church life by doctrine, discipline and direction. They are mutually accountable and are transparent with each other. They place a high value on the team dynamics of their leadership.
The eldership team is led, coordinated and guided by an elder whose role as first among equals, guards’ biblical plurality of eldership.
(See Acts 20:17, 28, 1 Tim 1:3-7; 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 2:25, 5:1-4)
Deacons
The only other office mentioned in the scriptures in the local church. The Greek
word for deacon is “diakonis” and means “servant, and one who ministers
alongside, ‘helper.”’
That does not mean deacons are servants and do menial jobs. Everyone in the church should have a servant’s heart. What it does mean though, is that the deacons come alongside the elders, assisting them in the pastoring of the church, releasing the elders “to prayer and ministry of the Word.” (Acts 6:1-8)
Deacons, together with and under the oversight of elders, exercise oversight in home groups, other care groups and general service in the local body of the church.
Wise-Counsel
We believe in the autonomy of the local church as essential, in which the elders are
the highest governing authority in that church. However, it is not healthy or wise for a
church to be independent. The local church eldership team actively seeks
accountability and counsel from men with whom they have a relationship and in
whom they recognize an Ephesians 4 gifting of apostle, prophet, pastor,
teacher or evangelist.
The primary accountability and counsel of the local eldership team comes
through the relationship with men who are partnering together to advance the
Gospel. This is done through, proclamation of the gospel and evangelism, church planting and strengthening of churches.
In close connection with these men the local eldership team seeks guidance and wisdom counsel to provide the necessary stability, strength, and accountability intrinsic to a healthy, effective, and missional local church.
Our eldership team is currently walking closely with Bruce Richter & Wynand Lindeque both who have led Vantagepoint Church in the past and with whom the church has a long-standing relationship.