At Xenos Christian Fellowship Cincinnati (XCFC), we practice team leadership at all levels, in all of our ministries. Plurality of leadership, as it is sometimes called, appears in the Bible at the highest level, that of eldership. We believe that it is not only Biblical, but prudent as it is important for leaders to be accountable to each other, to take advantage of collective wisdom, and to experience a diversity of gifts and perspectives.
There are two leadership offices described in the New Testament. Eldership is the highest office described, while deaconship is a second office subordinate to the office of eldership.
ELDERS
In XCFC, an elder is the equivalent to what people usually think of as a Senior Pastor. The responsibilities of the elders include teaching the Bible; developing, equipping, and coaching leaders and workers in the church; communicating a vision for the church; guiding the church in fulfilling our mission; formulating a budget and overseeing finances; and in general, oversight of the entire local church. All of this is done in consultation with the deacons and the ministry forum team.
While there is no ideal number of elders prescribed in the New Testament, we believe that it is best to have at least three elders and more if possible. We currently have four elders at XCFC.
DEACONS
A deacon in our church is someone who has taken on leadership responsibility that is smaller in scope than an elder, but is still very significant. Our deacons are normally home church leaders and/or directors of one of our ministries. In those capacities, they determine the direction of their groups and other matters pertaining to their specific sphere of oversight. Home church leaders take on some of the responsibilities usually associated with Senior Pastors. For example, Home church leaders are able to perform marriages and funerals.
The elders and deacons work closely together in determining major decisions pertaining to the church at large.
See the following links for detailed policies on the installation of elders and deacons if you are interested: