Biblical Church Governance: Returning To Plural-Elder Congregationalism from Policy-Based Governance Models

This paper critiques the growing adoption of policy-based governance models in local church contexts and argues for a return to plural-elder congregationalism as the most biblically faithful and historically rooted model of church government. While policy-based governance, derived from John Carver’s framework for nonprofit leadership, offers administrative strengths such as consistency, accountability, and efficiency, its application within the church often results in the diminishment of biblically mandated roles—particularly the deacon—and fosters a corporate rather than ecclesial culture. The author contends that such models misunderstand and misapply the New Testament offices of elder and deacon, violating the biblical pattern of shared spiritual leadership and practical service. In response, the paper presents a theological and ecclesiological defense of plural-elder congregationalism, grounded in the doctrines of the priesthood of all believers and the corporate nature of the body of Christ. Drawing on scriptural exegesis and historical examples, this model is proposed as one that re-centers authority within the local congregation while maintaining biblical leadership structures, thereby promoting unity, mutual accountability, and active participation in the life of the Church.