Our Leadership

Fishkill Baptist Church is an elder-led congregational church. We believe this form of governance best harmonizes what we see in the New Testament. Within this leadership model, the question is not “Who’s in charge?” but “Who’s in charge of what?”

Elder-Led Congregationalism

Christ is the head.

  • We believe that Jesus is the highest authority over the church (Colossians 1:18). Christ rules His church today through His Word and Spirit.

 

Congregationalism

  • We believe that the local church is not subject to outside governance; it is autonomous (or self-governed). Therefore, the congregation or membership is the final human authority in the local church under Christ. While the membership doesn’t vote on every decision that is made, they do vote on matters of the highest importance that impact our gospel witness in the community. For example, notice the responsibility Jesus gives the church as the final human authority in Matthew 18:15-10.

  • The congregation consists of those Christians who have agreed to unite based on… (1) A shared faith in Christ expressed in baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. (2) A shared commitment to one another to live as followers of Christ.

 

Elders

  • We believe the New Testament instructs churches to appoint qualified men to serve the church in leadership as elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). In the New Testament, the terms pastor, elder, and overseer are all interchangeable terms. Therefore, all our pastors are also elders. We use the term “pastor” to describe a paid, vocational elder.

  • Some of the biblical responsibilities for elders include:

    • Directing, overseeing, and caring for the congregation. (Acts 20:28; 1Thess 5:12; 1Tim 3:4-5; 5:17; 1Pet 5:1-3)

    • Teaching God’s Word and refuting error (Acts 20:28-31; 1Tim 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9; Heb 13:7)

    • Challenging wrong behavior (1Thess 5:12)

    • Settling controversial matters (Acts 15:2,6)

    • Training and equipping others for ministry (Eph 4:11-13)

    • Consecrating leaders (1Tim 4:14)

    • Ministering in prayer (1Tim 4:14; Jas 5:14)

    • Setting an example (Heb 13:7; 1Pet 5:3)

    • Note that the church is not a representative democracy. Elders must represent the interests of Jesus Christ, the owner, and the Head of the Church, over the interests of the congregation (Heb. 13:17). This doesn’t mean that elders shouldn’t listen to the church but that they are not elected to represent their special interests or preferences.

  • In our church, elders are elected annually by the membership and serve three-year terms.

 

Deacons & Ministry Leaders

  • Deacons and ministry leaders are members who serve the church in a variety of ways to carry out the mission and vision of our church.

  • Qualified deacons are elected annually by the membership and serve three-year terms (1 Tim. 3:8-13).

  • All deacons and ministry leaders serve under the oversight of the elders.