ELDER-LED | CONGREGATIONALLY GOVERNED
FAIRWAY IS PLURAL ELDER LED
We believe that underneath the leadership of Christ is the leadership of pastors. The Bible uses the titles pastor, elder, overseer, and bishop interchangeably. They’re all referring to the same office. So, for example, all of our elders are pastors and all of our pastors are elders. Now, some of our elders are paid to be elders, and some are volunteers. We believe the Bible teaches that a church should have a plurality of pastors, not just a single pastor, leading the church. There are many passages that teach that a church should be led by a plurality of pastors (Acts 16:4, 20:17, 21:18, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). Fairway is elder LED, not elder RULED. The elders do not have the authority to make the final decision in matters of receiving and removing members, appointing leaders, and doctrinal matters. However, the congregation appoints qualified men whom they can follow. We believe the main tasks of elders are the teaching of the word, prayer, and general care and oversight of the church
CONGREGATIONALLY GOVERNED
The congregation of covenant members are endowed with authority as the final court of appeal in matters of dispute between members, basic doctrinal truth, church discipline, and church membership and as such will give an account to God for the condition and success of the church in displaying the glory of God and reaching the lost with the truth of the Savior.
(Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 6:1-5; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 4:3; 1 Corinthians 5:5,7,11,13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8)