The Authority and Order of the Church • Christ is the head of the church and has vested authority in the local body of believers to maintain order and accountability, preventing chaos. • The church is instructed to follow a prescribed order, which includes the appointment of two specific offices: elders and deacons . The Office of Elder • The terms "pastor," "elder," "overseer," "shepherd," "presbyter," and "bishop" are synonymous, all referring to the single office of elder or pastor. • Qualifications for the office of elder are explicitly outlined in 1 Timothy 3, emphasizing spiritual maturity, integrity, and the ability to teach. • The office of elder is reserved for men, and candidates must be vetted by the local church to confirm both an internal call and external recognition. Ministerial Responsibilities • Elders are commanded to diligently preach and apply the Word of God, pray for the flock, and keep watch over the souls of the congregation, for which they will give an account. • The church must exercise shared, vested authority to approve officers through common suffrage, ensuring that neither the leadership nor the congregation acts outside of biblical order.