The way we describe the role of government at Grace Chapel is that we are staff led, staff run, and elder guarded. More specifically, the government consists of three teams of people:

The Elders
The Staff
The Deacons

The elders function primarily as discerners and guardians of the organization. They are not expected to oversee specific projects or ministry areas in their capacity as elders. They have macro influence, offering guidance, direction, vision and advice. At the same time the elders are highly integrated within the congregation. The elder team is not involved in the day-to-day management or programming of the church.

The purpose of the staff is to determine programming, give vision to the various ministries of the organization, oversee the day-to-day operations of the church, and provide godly support, encouragement, and leadership for the body. The staff is accountable to the lead pastor. The staff meets weekly for prayer and planning.

The role of the deacon ministry at Grace Chapel serves to facilitate coordinating individuals and families’ practical and material needs. The deacon ministry works closely with the elder board and the staff to help ensure as many needs as possible are met in an efficient and timely manner. Because so much of their ministry revolves around mobilizing others to serve and administrating financial matters the Biblical qualifications of a deacon are stressed similarly to those of an elder (cf. 1 Tim. 3:8-12).