At the Bridge our Leadership model is that of team, family & brotherhood. We have moved away from the traditional organizational models of ministry and we hope our discussion below will show why we have come to that place for the Bridge.
Traditionally one of the following three models has been used:
Congregational – This is a system where the people are approved members and the leadership is democratically elected by this body in the form of boards and committees. The pastoral team is hired by the committee / board and ratified by the congregational membership to serve the vision of the people and the committees they elect. This system appeals to the North American sense of democracy but often makes the pastors hirelings with no real freedom to lead. As we studied scripture to understand what system to use for the Bridge the only time we saw this model was with the children of Israel in the wilderness. In this example the decisions of the people did not lead to the land of blessing that the Lord had designed for them.
Episcopal – This is a system led by top down leadership where a Senior Pastor or a Bishop runs the ministry. This form is seen in some of the older denominations and as well as some of the newer independent church groups. While this system does allow leaders to lead, it is closer to an Old Testament model of a high priest or king. The problem associated to this model is similar to that which we find in the Old Testament. When the king is good there is great blessing, but when the king becomes corrupt the whole nation or in the case of our discussion the church suffers under leadership gone bad.
Presbyterian – In a Presbyterian form of church government the church is governed by a Board of Elders. These are often elected or appointed by the congregation or a higher church body. They govern the church and then they hire a pastor or a team of pastors for terms to do the work of the ministry. This system also makes it very difficult for the pastors to lead the congregations they are called to serve.
Every system uses Scripture and claims to be the correct way and we acknowledge that there is Scriptural foundation for a variety of organizations. At the Bridge we work with many different denominations in our missionary, evangelism and worship ministry outreaches and so we often interface with these different styles and respect all systems of leadership.
As we studied New Testament Church development we began to see teams of people serving together. Paul & Barnabas; Aquila, Priscilla and Paul; Peter & John; Barnabas & John Mark; the Jerusalem elders; groups of elders; and others appointed to work together for times and seasons of ministry endeavor. There seemed to be great emphasis on team, unity, accountability and being led of the Holy Spirit. The Bridge was started by four pastoral ministry couples and as Aquila and Priscilla worked as a husband and wife team, we too believe we have been called to serve and lead the work at the Bridge as couples in a team. We have different roles and responsibilities but equal authority held together by unity and the commitment to team. We have purposed to make the unity of the Spirit paramount in our decision making and so we choose not to move forward until there is unity. The Bridge is a church led by a pastoral team of couples working together to serve. In effect, we are an ‘Episcopal Presbytery’. We are committed to this model as servants and leaders for the Bridge recognizing that some may miss certain elements of the other models due to their history and background. We are accountable to other ministry couples who serve in other denominations and organizations based on long term relationships. We are also accountable to those who serve in the extended ministries of the Bridge and ultimately to our Lord. We are very aware that the greatest accountability is the fear of the Lord.
We will continue to serve his people by always listening for what seems good to us and the Holy Spirit that we might be a blessing to His flock, our city, province, nation and world.
