Psalm 78:72

This is a verse that speaks of how Jesus will shepherd his people, but it also sets the bar for how elders should shepherd the church. Admittedly, this is a tall task and  requires clear and faithful biblical examination to see how the leadership structure is established according to the Scriptures. Fireside's shepherds are comprised of a plurality and parity of elders, Fireside's lead servants are the deacons, and Fireside's membership governs the church.

While the teachers of a church are commonly known as pastors, the New Testament interchangably uses the word elder, bishop, or shepherd to describe those who oversee, lead, and shepherd, the local church. They are to meet the qualifications presented in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 2:24,-25, and Titus 1:5-9. Also, the New Testament clearly establishes a model of shared leadership in a local church, which means each church should have more than one elder, or a plurality of elders. This is often referred to as a plurality and parity of elders in the local church because the elders are equals. Even the Apostle Peter refers to himself as a "fellow elder" among other leaders in the New Testament church (1 Peter 5:1). Finally, elders are to be exclusively male, which is also a distinguishing qualification in the New Testament. Built on the authority of Scripture alone, a faithful plurality of elders is the biblical model given to help the local church grow into maturity, orderliness, and flourishing.

Tristan has been following the Lord since October 2007 and has been a faithful minister of the gospel to those around him; most importantly, his family. He continues to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, he delights in caring for the Lord's sheep and helping equip the saints by leading and teaching his brothers and sisters in Christ along with his fellow elders.  

Wayne first obeyed the gospel in 2005 and began personal ministry by sharing the gospel in the malls in his hometown of Houston. In 2010, Wayne married  Rebecca and they have five children. After retiring from the Army, Wayne discerned the call of ministry in his life, and the he began to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, Kentucky in 2016. He earned his Master of Divinity from SBTS in 2019 and a Doctor of Educational Ministry focused in Education and Discipleship in 2023. Wayne enjoys coffee, hanging out with his children, taking about random Texas facts, and speculating about what  UFOs actually are.

Jesse first began training for gospel ministry in Canada in 2011. He has a huge heart to make God's Word known so that Christ may be fully known. He earned his H.B.A. in Classic and Religious Studies from McMaster University in 2015. He earned his M.Div. and Th.M. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2018 and 2021. He loves to preach and is passionate about discipling the sheep of God's pasture. 

In our culture, greatness often corresponds to power, popularity, and worth. In the New Testament, greatness corresponds to humility and service -- particularly by humbly  serving God's people. Deacon, or servant, is the title for those appointed to be living examples of those who are the greatest in the kingdom of God (Matt 21:11-12). Deacons serve the administrative, physical, and tangible needs of the church, and they model this to all the other members of the church so they may serve like Christ.

Matt serves faithfully through leading Fireside's worship team on Sundays. Matt is married to Kelly and they have four children.

Rich serves the body of Christ by coordinating and organizing ministries, practical resources, and elements of the Sunday service. He is married to Molly and they have four children.

While elders and deacons are the appointed offices of the church, don't forget about the highest authority in the local church: you. Or, more specifically, y'all. In the New Testament, the highest authority in the local church is the collective membership. And to be sure, the members are appointed to the office of membership. When you think about it, being a church member is an office. First, it is an office because every member it is appointed by a vote. Second, it is an office because it comes along with responsibilities that must be discharged.

At Fireside, the membership is responsible for (1) appointing and removing pastors, (2) appointing and removing deacons, (3) appointing and removing members, (4) approving the official teaching and bylaws of Fireside, and (5) approving the budget and providing accountability for the elders' stewardship those finances. These duties that are given to the collective membership is vital to the healthy functioning of the local church, and we are grateful to have wonderful members who seek to serve the church faithfully under the guidance the Bible.