Week of November 15, 2026

Offices

Three days from this week's sermon on church offices, considering God's design for leadership in His church, elders and deacons as gifts and responsibilities, and Jesus as the Great Shepherd over every leader.

God’s Design for His Church

Acts 14:21–23; Titus 1:5

God has a design for how His church should function. Just as He established specific relationships and responsibilities within marriage, families, and government, He also established relationships within the local church.

The Bible identifies two important church offices: elders and deacons. These aren’t positions created simply because a church needs someone to manage its affairs. They are part of God’s design for the health and growth of His people.

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas didn’t consider their work finished simply because people had heard the gospel and churches had been established. They also appointed elders in every church. Titus 1:5 reinforces this instruction, showing that establishing church leadership was an important part of putting the church in order.

Church leadership isn’t something we should reinvent according to cultural expectations or personal preferences. God has given His church a pattern to follow.

But the responsibility doesn’t rest entirely on the leaders. The congregation has an important role, too. The church is called to appoint its officers and submit to their leadership. This requires a congregation that takes seriously both its responsibility to choose godly leaders and its responsibility to support them.

A healthy church isn’t simply one with a full calendar or growing attendance. It’s one that seeks to follow God’s design.

Questions to Consider

Have you ever considered that God has a specific design for leadership within the local church?
Why is it important for churches to follow biblical instructions rather than simply adopting whatever leadership structure seems convenient?
How can you participate in helping your church follow God’s design?

Prayer Prompt

Thank God for giving His church clear instructions for how it should function. Pray that your church will remain faithful to God’s design for leadership. Pray for wisdom and discernment as your congregation appoints church officers. Ask God to help you become a faithful and supportive church member.

Leadership Is a Gift and a Responsibility

Ephesians 4:11–12; Hebrews 13:17

How do you view the leaders in your church? Are they simply people who have been given responsibilities, or do you recognize them as gifts from Jesus to His church?

Ephesians 4 reminds us that Jesus gives shepherds and teachers to equip His people for ministry and build up the body of Christ. Elders and deacons are gifts to the local church. They serve different purposes, but both are important to the health of the congregation.

Acts 6 gives us a helpful picture of these responsibilities. The apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word, while the men appointed to serve addressed practical needs within the congregation.

We can summarize these responsibilities simply:

Elders emphasize Word and prayer. They oversee the spiritual health of the congregation, ensuring that God’s Word is taught and that prayer remains central.
Deacons emphasize the table. They serve by addressing practical needs and helping the ministry of the church function well.

But being a church officer is not simply an honor or a position of influence. It is a serious responsibility.

Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that church leaders keep watch over the souls entrusted to their care, knowing they will one day give an account to God. They aren’t ultimately accountable to a congregation’s preferences or cultural expectations. They are accountable to Jesus.

This should shape how we think about church leadership. Leaders should approach their responsibilities with humility and seriousness, while congregations should make every effort to support them.

The goal isn’t to make leadership easy or comfortable. It’s to help leaders serve with joy as they care for the people Jesus has entrusted to them.

Questions to Consider

Have you thought of your church’s elders and deacons as gifts from Jesus?
What are some practical ways you can support the spiritual and practical work of your church officers?
Why should the responsibility of giving an account to Jesus change the way someone approaches church leadership?

Prayer Prompt

Thank Jesus for the officers He has given your church to lead and serve. Pray that your elders will remain faithful in the ministry of the Word and prayer. Pray that your deacons will serve with wisdom, compassion, and humility. Ask God to help your church officers serve joyfully rather than reluctantly. Pray that you will be an encouragement rather than a burden to those serving your congregation.

Jesus Is the Great Shepherd

Hebrews 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:9

Church leadership is important, but we must never forget who the church ultimately belongs to. Our pastors, elders, and deacons are temporary servants. Jesus is the Great Shepherd.

This is an important distinction because human leaders will sometimes disappoint us. Some will make mistakes, some will fail in their responsibilities, and some will even abuse the authority entrusted to them. Sadly, many people have experienced hurt at the hands of church leaders.

But Hebrews 13 reminds us that Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Wicked shepherds will answer to Him, and their failures do not change His faithfulness.

Notice what makes Jesus different from every other shepherd: He gives His life for His sheep. The blood of the eternal covenant is His blood. Unlike earthly shepherds who may use the sheep for their own benefit, Jesus sacrifices Himself for those He loves.

If you are a Christian, you belong to Jesus because of His blood, not because of the goodness of your pastor or the strength of your church’s leadership. Your security rests in Christ.

This truth should also shape how we view our own service in the church. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that all believers are part of a royal priesthood. Church officers may have different responsibilities, but they aren’t a different class of Christian. We all belong to Jesus and are called to proclaim His excellencies.

One day, our earthly leaders will no longer hold their positions. But Jesus will never stop being our Shepherd. He knows His sheep, cares for them, and will faithfully lead them forever.

The question isn’t simply whether you have a pastor or a church leader. The most important question is whether you belong to Jesus.

Questions to Consider

Have you ever allowed the failures of a human leader to affect your view of Jesus?
How does knowing that Jesus is your Great Shepherd bring comfort when earthly leaders disappoint you?
If all Christians are part of a royal priesthood, how should that change the way you view your responsibility to serve the church?
Have you personally trusted in Jesus as your Shepherd?

Prayer Prompt

Thank Jesus for laying down His life for His sheep. Pray for those who have been hurt or disappointed by church leaders. Ask God to help you distinguish between the failures of people and the faithfulness of Jesus. Pray that your church will be filled with people who faithfully serve one another. If you have not trusted in Jesus, ask Him to help you understand the gospel and place your faith in His death and resurrection.

← All devotions