8 Bible Verses about Church Government

The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve called the congregation of the disciples to them. They said: It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God and serve tables. Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.read more.
We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. The idea pleased the whole congregation. 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 of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles. After they prayed, they laid their hands on them.

When they had ordained elders in every congregation they prayed with fasting. They commended them to God, on whom they believed.

I left you in Crete for this purpose, that you should correct the things that were defective, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave you orders.

At Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation to him.

I exhort the elders among you. I too am an older man and a witness of the sufferings of Christ. I am also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God in your care. Exercise the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God. Do not do it for dishonest gain, but eagerly. Do not lord it over your charge, but make yourselves examples to the flock.read more.
When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Faithful is the saying: If a man seeks the office of overseer, he desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach; not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;read more.
one who manages well his own house, having his children in subjection with all seriousness; if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the congregation of God? He should not be a new believer, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. He must have a good reputation with those outside the congregation, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. Ministerial servants should likewise be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain. They should maintain the secret of the faith with a clear conscience. Let these be tested first. Then let them serve as servants, if they are blameless. Women in like manner must be serious, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as servants gain to themselves a good standing and great confidence (boldness of speech) in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

A blameless man will be the husband of one wife. He will have children that believe and who are not accused of violence and disobedience. The overseer must be blameless as God's steward. He must not be self-willed, not prone to anger, not a brawler, and not violent (quarrelsome) (pugnacious), not greedy of dishonest gain. but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;read more.
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to reprove (refute) (rebuke) those who contradict.

At Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation to him. When they arrived he said: You know from the first day that I set foot in Asia, I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials that came on me by the plots of the Jews.read more.
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house. I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. I am compelled by the spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there. Holy Spirit warns me that in every city, prison and hardships are facing me there. I do not consider my life of any account. It is not dear to me so that I may finish the race, and I may accomplish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to preach the good news of the grace of God. I know all of you and have preached the kingdom with you. But you will not see me again. I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. I did not shrink from telling you the entire will of God. Be on guard for yourselves and the flock that the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Feed the Congregation of God that he purchased with the blood of his own [Son].