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At SGCM we believe that every member has been gifted to serve within this community and to serve the needs of many in our town. Our desire is to both equip and encourage people in the use of their gifts. However, we believe that the Bible clearly teaches that each local church is to have elders (also called pastors, bishops and overseers) to lead the church. The elders are chosen according to clear biblical requirements with an emphasis first on character, then on having a gift to teach. In the Bible the elders are always spoken of in plurality because God intends for more then one man to lead and rule over the church as a safeguard for both the church and the man.
SGCM is an elder governed church, not a Congregational/Membership governed church. It is our view that the scripture does not call for the church to be run by the members in a democratic fashion but that it clearly teaches that the elders are directors, managers and overseers of the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17; Titus 1:7-9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Thes. 5:12-13; Acts 20:17-38). This does not mean that the elders do not seek input from the members when making decisions. The elders seek to be as open as possible with the members of the church in making decisions that promote the glory of God. It is our hope that the elders at SGCM always lead the church in humility and with godly motives.
We currently have two elders who have been recognised as having gifts of leadership and have been released from secular employment in order to serve the church full time.
