Our Elders

At Bethel Witham, we believe that Jesus is the Head of the Church and that, under His leadership, the New Testament gives elders the responsibility of shepherding and providing spiritual oversight for the local church.

As Bethel has grown and developed over the years, so has our understanding and practice of plural eldership. Rather than the responsibility for the spiritual life of the church resting upon one person, we believe there is wisdom and biblical strength in a team of elders praying, discerning and leading together.

Our elders therefore share responsibility for the spiritual health and direction of Bethel. They seek to shepherd the church family with prayer, wisdom and humility, guarding biblical teaching, encouraging discipleship, supporting pastoral care and discerning together where God is leading us.

Eldership is not about status, position or hierarchy. Jesus described leadership in His Kingdom in terms of serving others, and our desire is that our elders model that same heart of servant leadership.

Our Understanding of Eldership

We want everything we do as a church to be shaped by Scripture. As we understand the New Testament pattern of church leadership, we believe elders should be biblically qualified men who serve together in plurality.

Passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9 and 1 Peter 5:1–4 help shape our understanding of both the character and responsibility of an elder.

We recognise that Christians and churches sometimes understand aspects of church leadership differently, and we respect those differences. At Bethel, however, this is the understanding of Scripture that guides our practice.

This does not mean that men are more important, more gifted or more spiritual than women. Men and women are equally created in the image of God, equally recipients of His grace and equally part of the life and mission of His Church.

Women serve, minister and lead across many areas of life at Bethel, and we deeply value the gifts, wisdom and ministry that God has given to both women and men.

What do the elders do?

Together, our elders are responsible for:

• providing spiritual oversight and direction

• praying and discerning together

• shepherding and caring for the church family

• guarding biblical teaching and doctrine

• encouraging unity, discipleship and spiritual maturity

• supporting and holding one another accountable

• seeking God's direction for the future of Bethel

Our Senior Pastor serves as part of the eldership team and carries particular responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, preaching and ministry of the church. He works alongside the other elders, staff, ministry leaders and volunteers as together we serve the church family.

Governance, trustee responsibilities and charity matters are overseen by the Church Council.

Meet the Elders

Our elders come from different backgrounds, professions and life experiences, bringing different gifts and perspectives to the team.

No individual elder carries the responsibility of spiritual leadership alone. We pray, discuss and discern together, seeking unity and recognising that every elder remains accountable to God for the way he cares for His people.

Ultimately, the church does not belong to its pastor, its elders or its leaders. Bethel belongs to Jesus.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them…”
1 Peter 5:2