The Baptist church is not simple in its organization. It comprises of a self-governing body whose members have equal rights, privileges, and duties. It is probably the purest theocracy the world has ever known.
The pastor is the chief officer. He is called by God to preach the gospel, ordained to the work of the ministry, called by a church to serve as its leader. He must be a man of the highest Christian character (1 Tim. 3:7; Titus 1:5-9). He is the local shepherd of the church and has authority and oversight over the body of Christ. He must study, preach, teach, lead, exhort and reprove (2 Tim. 2:15; 4:1-5) and must one day give answer to God for the way he has performed his work (Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:4).
The office of deacon is usually traced to the first church at Jerusalem. Seven men were chosen by the church to assist the apostles. The deacons then and now scripturally are servants of the church. They are men of proved character and spiritual interest (Acts 6:3-7; 1Tim. 3:8-13). The deacons have a major contribution to make in strengthening the spiritual ministry of the church. In most Baptist churches the pastor and deacons meet regularly to plan and pray concerning the work of the church.
Other officers include a church clerk, who keeps the church records; a treasurer, who handles the church funds; this may also include trustees, who oversee the property in accordance with church requirements, and other church- elected workers in its structure as needed.
The Ekklesia, the called-out onesEkklesia is a Greek word defined as “a called-out as- sembly or congregation.” Ekklesia is commonly translat- ed as “church” in the New Testament. For examples, (Acts 13:1; Acts 11:22) says that “Barnabas and Saul met with the church at Jerusalem [ekklesia]” in Antioch.
It is important that the church today understand the definition of ekklesia. The church needs to see itself as being “called out” by God. If the church is going to make a difference in the world, it must be different from the world.
God has graciously called us unto Himself: “‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you’” (2 Corinthians 6:17).