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This is a draft of our leadership structure and expectations. The Elders welcome input you might have. The Service Ministry Teams will have to be integrated into this structure.

Living Stones Church Structure: August 2005

1.    Council: Living Stones Church, according to the church order of the Christian Reformed Church is governed by the church council. The council is made up of the elders and deacons of the church. Elders and deacons serve on the council together, although their roles and functions are distinct. Neither elders nor deacons have greater or lesser authority than the other, their responsibility and callings are distinct.

2.    Elders and Deacons:
    a.    The role and responsibility of the elders and deacons are stipulated by the church order and described by the ordination form (see attached).
    b.    Elders are not simply responsible for doing pastoral care, evangelism, education and discipleship as individuals (leading by example), but are responsible to equip and lead the membership of the congregation in these areas. All believers are called upon to exercise their gifts in these areas in pursuit of God’s kingdom. Likewise deacons are not simply responsible for managing the business of the church, but are also called to lead and encourage the membership of the church to greater levels of responsibility and stewardship.
    c.    For this reason elders and deacons also exercise authority and responsibility through supervising and directing structures and ministries that pursue the ends they are responsible for.
    d.    Because the work is great and God has been generous by gifting others within the congregation for leadership, elders and deacons must rely upon others exercising their gifts of leadership within the ministry of the church. The authority and responsibilities of these other leaders are delegated to them from Christ through the ordained elders and deacons of the congregation and are therefore subject to their supervision for their work.
    e.    Office bearers in the Christian Reformed Church (Elders and Deacons) are required to sign the Form of Subscription which declares that they will by their words and conduct promote and support the community of Christ and His teachings within the context of the Christian Reformed Church.

3.    Non-ordained Church Leaders and Teachers
    a.    Even though other leaders in the congregation are not required to sign the Form of Subscription, they too are called to lead Christ’s flock by example. This does not mean that they are expected to be perfect or without fault or sin, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It does mean, however, that anyone who accepts a position of spiritual leadership within the ministry of the church is called to exemplary faithfulness in the regular life of the congregation and in their personal discipleship. Even though all who profess to follow Christ should always seek greater levels of discipleship and maturity, those who lead and teach are held to a higher standard because they bear a more visible witness to those inside and outside of the church.
    b.    Leaders who serve the church together with other leaders should do so within the context of an appropriate level of community. If a group is working together to lead a ministry as a team, they should model the dynamics of that ministry through mutual encouragement and accountability.
    c.    Ministry structures change regularly to fit the time and needs of different chapters in the church’s life. This is a template for how to manage different ministries and structures that currently exist and may emerge.
        i.    Ministry Directors (Leaders of leaders): These leaders are responsible for supervising other leaders and teachers in ministries that do teaching or evangelism.
            (1)    These leaders are generally appointed by the office bearers (elders or deacons) directly responsible for that area of ministry. Examples of these would be elders appointing the Sunday School Superintendent or the Coffee Break Director.
            (2)    Ministry Directors should support and encourage the leaders and teachers beneath them and wherever appropriate encourage these leaders and teachers to work together as a team for mutual support and encouragement.
            (3)    It is expected that these Ministry Directors will regularly report to the office bearer (elder or deacon) assigned to supervise their work.
        ii.    Small group leaders and teachers: These leaders directly lead and/or teach within ministries of the church.
            (1)    These leaders and teachers are often recruited by the appropriate Ministry Director. These leaders and teachers should be proposed by the appropriate Ministry Director and approved by the office bearers (elders or deacons) responsible for their area of ministry. Examples of these would be small group leaders, Coffee Break group leaders, Sunday School teachers, etc.
            (2)    These leaders and teachers are expected to report and be accountable to the Ministry Director in their particular ministry. If there is no Ministry Director for their ministry they are accountable to the office bearer assigned to their ministry.
            (3)    If a difficulty or conflict arises that cannot be resolved by either the Ministry Director or the group of leaders with which they work the matter should be brought to the appropriate office bearers (elders or deacons) for consultation and hopefully remedy.