Elders/overseers
In the New Testament the responsibility to oversee and shepherd the local assembly was given to the church elders—all the elders, not just one hired head elder. The pastoral leadership of the local church is the responsibility of a plurality of Spirit-appointed, scripturally qualified elders, also called overseers. This is the clear model of the New Testament and it not only encourages mutual cooperation and humility, but is also a good hedge against the cult of personality and natural tendency to focus on an individual instead of Christ Himself.
The qualifications for elders/overseers are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. As elders at Lion and Lamb we try to model the plural character of God's gifts in leadership and service, and you will see this reflected in a variety of men teaching and leading.
Kent Vincent
Mark Ediger
Larry Stuart
Mike Halpin
Deacons
In the New Testament, the word usually translated "serve" is the Greek word diakoneo, which literally means "through the dirt." It refers to an attendant, a waiter, or one who ministers to another. From this word we get the English word “deacon.” We first see the word "deacon" used this way in the book of Acts. “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (Acts 6:2). The men who were giving themselves to feeding the flock by preaching and teaching realized that it wasn’t right for them to leave those activities to wait tables, so they found some other men who were willing to serve, and put them in place to minister to the church’s physical needs while the elders or pastors ministered to their spiritual needs. It was a better use of the resources they were given, and a better use of everyone’s gifts. It also got more people involved in serving and helping one another.
The qualifications for Deacons can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. At Lion and Lamb, Deacons are responsible for meeting the physical needs of the local body.
Tom Lindsay
Deacon
Dan McElroy
Russ Barnell