The Bible prescribes two offices for a New Testament church: elders and deacons.

 

The title “elder” is interchangeable with the titles “pastor” and “overseer”, deriving from the Koine Greek words πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros) and ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos). Historically, it was common for Baptists to refer to their pastor as “Elder John”, “Elder Joel”, etc. – a trend that changed during the late 19th Century whenever such titles as “Reverend” and “Pastor” became more popular. The role of the pastor/elder is to serve as general overseer of the church, and this person is to be devoted to preaching and teaching. A pastor/elder must be scripturally qualified, and congregationally affirmed. A local church may have multiple pastors/elders serving as a plurality on an elder board. Turkey Branch Baptist Church holds a polity which permits a plurality of elders, although we currently only have one lead pastor/elder serving at the present time.

 

The office of deacon first appeared very early in the first century church. Their purpose was to “wait on tables” and oversee the widow care ministry. In fact, deacon derives from the Koine Greek word “διάκονος” (diakonos), which literally means “waiter”. Throughout the New Testament, deacons served to alleviate the pastors/elders of the daily social needs of the church so that they may “devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” As with the office of pastor/elder, deacons must also be scripturally qualified and congregationally affirmed. A local church may also have a plurality of deacons serving on a deacon board. Turkey Branch Baptist Church currently has six deacons serving at the present time.