Valley Bible Church is led by a group of men known as elders. We have adopted this form of church government in 1982 in light of the practice of the early church as described in the New Testament. No authority rests in one single individual to lead our church. Rather the authority is found in the elders as they lead together. The deacons of Valley Bible assist our elders in managing the church and through godly counsel.
The role of the elders is to oversee the church. They are called to guide our church toward moral, doctrinal and directional purity. Their most important ministry is the ministry of the Word of God and prayer. Our elders are committed to leading in unity, in agreement with each other.
The qualifications of the elders can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. In addition, our elders have a long history of commitment to Valley Bible Church, its doctrine and ministry philosophy. They do not view their role as temporary but are planning to serve in this capacity for the long term.
View Valley Bible's in-depth Position Paper on church leadership
While elders are the overseers of a congregation, the deacons are the officially recognized servants who serve the church in leading certain church. As deacons are set apart to manage the ministries within the congregation, the elders are better able to fulfill their primary function of oversight. If the leaders of any group, organization, or nation become too immersed within the mechanics of the operation, they may very well be unable to offer truly effective oversight. Our goal is to have every one of our ministry leaders to be recognized as a deacon of Valley Bible Church.
In addition, our deacons serve our elders by providing counsel, advising the elders in their shepherding role. At our monthly leadership meeting, our deacons give very valuable input regarding the direction of Valley Bible Church and the issues that we encounter during the normal course of ministry.
Deacons will have demonstrated their servant's heart in their character and their ministry (cf. Acts 6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). There is no set time limit for our deacons to serve in their capacity. Valley Bible Church has been greatly blessed by a large number of committed people who serve the church faithfully in their capacity as a deacon and we hope that each one will continue to serve our church for many years to come.
View Valley Bible's in-depth Position Paper on church leadership
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?; and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.