What We Believe About Leadership

We believe Jesus Christ is the head of the church and that all leadership flows from submission to Him and His Word (Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18).

In the early stages of our church plant, The Way of Christ Columbia is led by the Lead Planter who is guided by a management/coaching team overseen by the elders of the North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, TN.

As the church matures, leadership will be entrusted to a team of shepherds (also called elders or overseers) working jointly with the lead minister. The shepherds’ primary calling is the spiritual care of the congregation through prayer, teaching, counseling, and relational shepherding (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–3; Hebrews 13:17). They provide spiritual oversight for the church and accountability for its leaders, including affirming the direction of the Lead Minister to ensure faithfulness to Scripture and the mission of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 5:17–20).

Shepherds/elders serve with accountability to the congregation. As a church, we practice a process of periodic congregational reaffirmation that allows members to express trust and confidence in those who shepherd them, encouraging transparency, humility, and shared responsibility in the life of the church (Acts 14:23; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21; Hebrews 13:7).

The Lead Minister provides day-to-day leadership by casting a compelling, Christ-centered vision for the church and championing that vision among the congregation, while preaching and teaching, equipping the church for mission, and coordinating ministry and staff under the shepherds’ spiritual oversight (Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 4:12–16; 2 Timothy 4:5; Titus 1:5).

Ministry leaders serve within this structure, using their gifts to support the life and mission of the church (Acts 6:1–7; Romans 12:6–8).

We believe leadership in the church is an act of servant-hearted discipleship, shaped by humility, accountability, and love, following the example of Jesus (Mark 10:42–45; John 13:14–15).