8 Bible Verses about Church Government

Now in those days, the disciples being multiplied, there developed a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily assistance. And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, they said, It is not right for us, having left the word of God behind, to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, seek ye out seven men from you being well reported, full of Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this need.read more.
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the service of the word. And the word was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte, a citizen of Antioch, men whom they placed before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid hands upon them.

And having appointed elders for them in every congregation, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

I left thee behind in Crete on account of this: That thou should set in order the things lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded thee,

And from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the congregation.

I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you: Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily, nor as domineering over the lots, but becoming examples of the flock.read more.
And when the chief Shepherd is made known, ye will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Faithful is the saying, If any man aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, without wine, serious minded, disciplined, loving strangers, able to teach, no drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but meek, noncontentious, no lover of money,read more.
a man who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all propriety (but if any man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of a congregation of God?), not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the devil. And he must also have good testimony from those outside, lest he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Helpers likewise, be honorable, not double-tongued, not attending to much wine, not greedy of base gain, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proven, then being blameless, let them serve as deacons. The wives likewise, be honorable, not slanderous, without wine, faithful in all things. Let helpers be husbands of one wife, ruling children and their own houses well. For those who serve well will acquire to themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus.

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not with an accusation of debauchery or insubordinate. For the overseer must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not prone to angry, not a drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but a lover of strangers, a lover of good, serious minded, just, devout, self-controlled,read more.
holding firm the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may also be able to exhort by the sound doctrine, and to correct those who contradict.

And from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the congregation. And when they came to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day in which I stepped in Asia, how I became with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews.read more.
How I kept back nothing of these things that are beneficial, not to inform you, and to teach you in public, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And now behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, except that the Holy Spirit testifies from city to city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I make nothing of the matter, nor do I hold my life precious to myself, so as to fully complete my course with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly testify the good-news of the grace of God. And now behold, I have seen that ye will no longer see my face, ye all among whom I passed through preaching the kingdom of God. Therefore I solemnly declare to you this day, that I am clean from the blood of all men. For I did not withdraw from declaring to you the whole plan of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood.