8 Bible Verses about Church Government

But in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It doth not seem to us proper, that we should leave the word of God, and provide for tables. Therefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business;read more.
but we will give ourselves closely to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And what was said pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

And having appointed for them elders in every church, they prayed with fasting, and commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.

For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee;

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellowelder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed; tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but with ready mind; not as lording it over your allotted charge, but being examples to the flock;read more.
and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye will receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.

True is the saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching; not given to wine, not a striker, but forbearing, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money;read more.
presiding well over his own house, having his children in subjection with all propriety; for if a man knoweth not how to preside over his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil; moreover he must also have a good report from them that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. Deacons in like manner must be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they are without reproach. The women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as deacons, gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

if any one is without reproach, the husband of one wife, having believing children, that are not accused of dissoluteness, or unruly. For a bishop must be without reproach, as Gods steward; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, discreet, just, holy, temperate,read more.
holding fast the sure word according to what he was taught, that he may be able by sound teaching both to exhort, and to refute the gainsayers.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;read more.
how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have made it known to you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now behold, I go, bound in my spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will befall me there; save that the Holy Spirit witnesseth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I count life of no value to me, so that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. Wherefore I testify to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood.