Governance Review
A Faithful Framework
This page is designed to help you understand what is being proposed, how the new structure would work, how we would transition into it, and where you can read the complete proposed documents.
Governance review
Start Here.
First Castroville is considering a proposed revision to our Constitution and Bylaws. The goal is to establish a clear, biblical, accountable framework that can serve our church faithfully for generations while allowing ministry to remain healthy, responsive, and focused on our mission.
Looking at Scripture
A Biblical Pattern for Church Leadership
We are not considering elder leadership simply because it is a different way to organize a church. We believe the New Testament presents a consistent pattern of local churches being shepherded and overseen by a plurality of biblically qualified elders.
Throughout the New Testament, Elders are called to shepherd God’s people, guard sound doctrine, provide spiritual oversight, and lead faithfully as those accountable to Christ, the Chief Shepherd. Their authority is not independent or unlimited. It is exercised under the authority of Jesus Christ and His Word and alongside the responsibilities Scripture gives to the congregation.
Passages such as Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17–28; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4; and Hebrews 13:17 help shape our understanding of this pattern.
The goal is not simply to change our structure. It is to align our structure as faithfully as we can with the way Scripture describes the shepherding and oversight of Christ’s church.
Want to explore this more deeply?
Our Shepherded by Design message series examines the biblical foundations behind shepherding, Elder leadership, authority, accountability, and the responsibilities Christ gives His church.
Why Are We Considering This?
Healthy governance should help a church remain faithful to Scripture, accountable in leadership, clear in authority, and free to pursue its mission. This proposal is not being driven by a crisis or a failure in our current leadership structure. Our governing documents have served First Castroville, and we are grateful for the faithfulness of those who have led and served within them.
At the same time, a growing church brings growing needs, greater complexity, and greater responsibility. The ministry structure of First Castroville has changed significantly over time, and we want a governing framework that can serve the church faithfully not only where we are today, but where God may lead us in the years ahead.
Growth, however, is not the primary reason for this proposal. Our leadership structure should be tethered first to Scripture—not simply to organizational preference, church tradition, or the changing expectations of culture. As we have studied the New Testament pattern of leadership in the local church, we believe a plurality of biblically qualified Elders provides a strong and durable framework for shepherding, accountability, and oversight.
The proposed revision seeks to put those convictions into a clear structure: foundational matters remain with the congregation; ongoing shepherding and governance are entrusted to a plurality of biblically qualified Elders; the Senior Pastor leads the ministry and organization; Deacons serve through prayer, care, and practical ministry; and staff and ministry leaders lead within delegated authority.
Key thought: Foundational authority remains stable. Ministry implementation remains adaptable.
Organizational Structure
What does it look like?
This is a helpful graphic that gives a visual representation of the proposed structure.
View full image ↗Side-By-Side
Tell me what changes.
Jesus Christ remains the Head of the Church and Scripture remains our final authority.
Ongoing governance moves from the present committee/council structure to a plurality of qualified Elders.
The congregation continues to call and remove the Senior Pastor and affirm and remove Elders.
The responsibilities of Elders, Senior Pastor, Deacons, staff, and congregation become more clearly distinguished.
The congregation continues to approve the overall annual ministry budget and major real-property actions.
Membership records distinguish Active, Active Voting, and Inactive membership for clearer congregational accountability.
Deacons continue as biblically qualified servant leaders focused on prayer, care, unity, and practical ministry.
Operational details increasingly live in the Administrative Manual and policies rather than the foundational Bylaws.
Staff and ministry leaders continue to carry out ordinary ministry and lead within entrusted authority.
A plurality of Elders provides ongoing oversight and accountability, including accountability for the Senior Pastor.
Documentation
Where can I see the changes?
Here are some brief descriptions of the documents that will be presented to the church for adoption. The full PDF of each document can be viewed from the link on the card.
The Church Constitution
Who we are and where authority belongs. The Constitution is the most durable governing document beneath Scripture. It establishes the Church's identity, doctrine, mission, membership commitments, and foundational structure of authority. It describes First Castroville as elder-led and congregationally accountable: the congregation retains final authority over specifically reserved foundational matters, while ongoing spiritual oversight, governance, stewardship, direction, and doctrinal care are entrusted to a plurality of biblically qualified Elders.
View PDF →The Church Bylaws
How the governance structure works. The Bylaws answer the practical governance questions: membership and voting, congregational meetings and petitions, church discipline, Elder qualifications and accountability, Senior Pastor leadership and accountability, Deacons, finances, property, records, and other essential processes. They intentionally do not prescribe every ordinary ministry procedure. Those details belong in the Administrative Manual and policies so the Church can adapt ministry practices without repeatedly rewriting its foundational documents.
View PDF →The Transition Plan
How we faithfully get from here to there. Adopting new governing documents does not instantly create a qualified Elder body. The Transition and Implementation Resolution provides a temporary bridge while ordinary ministry continues, Elder candidates are recommended and assessed, membership classifications are implemented, and policies are aligned. Permanent Elder governance does not become fully operative until the required qualified plurality has been congregationally affirmed and seated.
View PDF →The Marriage Amendment
A clarification to our Statement of Faith. The proposed Marriage Amendment states the Church's understanding of biblical marriage as the covenant union of one man and one woman as husband and wife, while also affirming the full place of single people in the life and ministry of the Church. It accompanies the Church's continued use of the Baptist Faith and Message (1963) and does not supersede the authority of Scripture.
View PDF →Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Does Elder-led governance mean the congregation gives up its authority?
No. The congregation retains final authority over foundational matters including calling and removing the Senior Pastor, affirming and removing Elders, approving the overall annual ministry budget, major real-property actions, amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, dissolution, and material changes in denominational affiliation.
Does the Senior Pastor control the Elders?
No. The Senior Pastor serves as Lead Elder by virtue of his office, but he serves within the Elder plurality. The structure is designed for shared Elder accountability rather than unilateral pastoral control.
Are Elders replacing Deacons?
No. Elders and Deacons have different biblical responsibilities. Elders shepherd and govern. Deacons remain servant leaders who strengthen prayer, care, unity, and practical ministry. Existing Deacons do not automatically become Elders.
Will Elders manage every ministry decision?
No. Elders provide governance and oversight. The Senior Pastor leads the ministry and organization, and staff and ministry leaders continue making ordinary ministry decisions within delegated authority.
Who can become an Elder?
Elder candidates must satisfy the biblical, doctrinal, character, membership, and leadership qualifications established in the Bylaws and assessment process. During the initial transition, every candidate receives meaningful assessment and must be individually affirmed by the congregation at the required threshold.
What happens immediately if the proposal is adopted?
The Church enters a transition period. Existing ministry, staffing, financial, and administrative operations continue while the new structure is implemented. Neither the Senior Pastor acting alone nor an incomplete Elder group receives the permanent governing authority of the Elder body.
What happens if we cannot identify enough qualified Elders?
We wait and continue the transition process. The Church will not lower qualifications or use temporary appointments to create an artificial Elder plurality.
Can members raise concerns or require congregational consideration?
Yes. The proposed Bylaws provide avenues for member questions and accountability, including a process through which 20% of Active Voting Members may require a congregational meeting concerning a properly stated matter.
Why not put all the details in the Bylaws?
Because foundational governance should remain stable while ordinary ministry practices need room to adapt. The Administrative Manual and subordinate policies implement the Constitution and Bylaws without being allowed to contradict or override them.
Timeline
How would the transition work?
The anticipated transition window is approximately three to six months, but the Church will not lower Elder qualifications or rush the process simply to meet a date.
Congregational Adoption
The Church votes on the proposed governing documents.
Transition Period Begins
Ordinary worship, ministry, staffing, finances, and administration continue.
Elder Recommendations
Members and existing leaders may recommend men for consideration.
Meaningful Assessment
Candidates are evaluated for biblical qualification, doctrine, character, leadership, shepherding, and ability to serve within a plurality.
Congregational Introduction
Qualified candidates are presented with time for the congregation to know them and raise substantive concerns.
Individual Congregational Affirmation
Each Elder candidate must receive at least 85% affirmation.
Initial Elder Plurality Is Seated
Permanent Elder governance begins only when at least three qualified Elders are seated and a majority of the Elder body is non-staff.
Ongoing Alignment
The Elder body completes the orderly alignment of policies, responsibilities, and administrative structures.