Leaders
We have many assumptions ingrained in us from Western church culture.
Mat 23:8
“But do not be called Rabbi; for One
is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. “Do not call [anyone] on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, [that is,] Christ. “But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Headship

1Co 11:3
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of
a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
Eph 4:15 but
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all [aspects] into Him who is the head,
[even] Christ,
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself
[being] the Savior of the body.

Offices are functions

Eph 4:11 And He gave some [as] apostles, and some [as] prophets, and some [as] evangelists, and some
[as] pastors and teachers,
1Co 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
2Ti 4:5 But you, be sober in
all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1Ti 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires [to do.]

“office”–Episcope
-appears 4 times. “Visitation”
-the work of investigation and inspection.
Not a position, but a work, a job description.

The appointment of overseers
Paul recognized who the elders already were.

Deacon “diakonos”
–means “servant”.
Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you
, shall be your minister (same word as deacon).

Gifts and functions can be desired, therefore entered into the function of.
1Co 12:28
–
31 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, [various] kinds of tongues. All are not apostles,
are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not [workers of] miracles,
are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.
He who leads vs. being the leader
Rom 12:8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The “rule over you” KJV

Heb 13:7, 17, 24 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. … Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you. … Salute all them that have the
rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
–
There is authority in the church
– as God leads you, Christ is your head.