Our Faith

Explanation of the Trinity Church doctrinal position regarding governance by and qualifications of elders 

 As we studied the New Testament for a model of church governance, we found that the New Testament churches had a very different leadership model than a lot of churches today. Those New Testament churches were not led by a single senior pastor and weren’t centered around the ministry of any one person but rather were centered around the headship of Christ. The churches themselves were governed and served by a team of Elders and Deacons, each with a servant’s heart and each with responsibility for various aspects of the church ministry.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul admonishes the church that they should not be followers of men. He reminds the church that he and Apollos and the other early church leaders were “mere men” and “fellow workers” in the Gospel. “Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” (Chapter 1, verse 13). “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (Chapter 3, verse 11).

We believe this biblical model of church governance—a leadership team of mutually accountable members—is important for several reasons. First, it keeps the focus on Christ as our head, rather than any one person. Second, we believe there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors and that this wisdom is superior to the wisdom of any one person. And third, this helps demonstrate the fact that at Trinity, we don’t draw an artificial line between pastors and lay leaders—both will be serving on this leadership team. We realize that the issue of the qualifications of Elders is subject to a number of different interpretations and we do not claim infallibility on the matter. We recognize that reasonable men and women of good faith, diligently following the language of Scripture, can reach different results on this issue. We also believe that men and women are of equal worth and dignity before God and in church ministry (and that women are empowered by the same Holy Spirit and equally gifted). 

We committed this matter to prayer, a great deal of discussion, and a diligent study of Scripture. In searching Scriptures, we found that both men and women were integrally involved in various leadership positions in the church, including the teaching ministries. But it also seemed plain that the qualifications for Elders/Pastors presumed that those roles would be filled by the men of the church while the roles for Deacons and other leaders were not limited in that way. We have established a church leadership council that tracks this biblical model as best we know how—comprised of male elders and both male and female deacons who will serve in key capacities on the council. In this way, we believe we can achieve both the diversity we all desire and the fidelity to Scripture that is one of our core values. In addition, the teaching pastors will be part of the Elder Board as teaching elders and will be accountable to the Board.