How decisions are made
The elders joyfully affirm that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church (Col. 1:18). We also recognize that each member of God's
Church is a "priest" who can enter into the presence of God through Jesus Christ at any time and without the help of another human
being. We do not see any pastor or member of the clergy as a special "priesthood" that must represent members of the church before the
Lord.
We do affirm that God has gifted certain men to lead the membership of the church in spiritual matters. These men must provide pastoral
care and spiritual leadership for the church as the New Testament instructs (Acts 15:22; 20:17; Titus 1:5; Jms. 5:14). At GRBC the
elders are charged with these types of responsibilities. In this sense, our church is governed by the Council of Elders.
But under Christ and His Word, the local congregation is the final authority in the church. The congregation is the body that ultimately
settles matters of faith and church life. It is the members who elect and affirm the eldership annually. It is the members who would
ultimately discipline an elder if his life or doctrine became a discredit to the church and to Christ. It is the members who have the
scriptural authority and responsibility to carry out church discipline within the body, not the elders alone (1 Cor. 5:4,5). In this
sense GRBC is a church of congregational rule.
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