Christians meet in Episcopal churches, Presbyterian churches, and Congregational churches. Each of these types of churches operate under vastly different forms of church governance. Can all the different views on authority in the church be right? Is it a matter of being more or less right? Is there a New Testament teaching on church government that should set the pattern for all churches today? Or is each church or denomination free to organize their church leadership as they think best?

As we begin to consider the controversial issue of church governance, we must agree that the form of church government is not a major doctrine in the Scriptures. However, this does not mean that the Bible's teaching on governance or polity is altogether unimportant. In this lesson, we will explore the three major forms of church governance and then the role of pastors, elders, bishops, overseers, and deacons in a local church.

There is much confusion in the modern Baptist church over the distinct roles, functions, and qualifications for these bibical offices. The healthy church will remove the confusion and put biblically-qualified leaders into biblically-defined roles.