Leadership Structure
Our Team
Leadership at New Wells seeks to release the whole church in mission and ministry. The leaders are called to serve the church and the community and to be an example to others. The church is led by the pastors along with the elders, core team (previously deacons) and trustees, plus the staff team.
Leadership
We believe the key role of leadership is to equip God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12) and this is why God has given the gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11, often referred to as the five-fold gifts.
Leadership at New Wells seeks to release the whole church in mission and ministry. The leaders are called to serve the church and the community and to be an example to others.
Any church member over the age of 18 is eligible to serve in any position of leadership. They need to have been a member of the church for 12months or more (with the exception of a pastor or staff team appointment).
An explanation of some of the different roles is included below along with the nomination process.
How we raise up leaders
Through discipleship groups, ministry teams, leaders mentoring leaders, ministry training and programs including internships and church planter training.
Leadership at New Wells seeks to release the whole church in mission and ministry. The leaders are called to serve the church and the community and to be an example to others. The church is led by the pastors along with the elders, core team (previously deacons) and trustees, plus the staff team.
Leadership
We believe the key role of leadership is to equip God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12) and this is why God has given the gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11, often referred to as the five-fold gifts.
Leadership at New Wells seeks to release the whole church in mission and ministry. The leaders are called to serve the church and the community and to be an example to others.
Any church member over the age of 18 is eligible to serve in any position of leadership. They need to have been a member of the church for 12months or more (with the exception of a pastor or staff team appointment).
An explanation of some of the different roles is included below along with the nomination process.
How we raise up leaders
Through discipleship groups, ministry teams, leaders mentoring leaders, ministry training and programs including internships and church planter training.
Ministry Leads
Ministry leads are appointed to lead a team focussed on a specific area of ministry within the church life. They will be appointed as a result of recognised service and leadership within a particular area of ministry that is key to the outworking of our church family’s vision. They may serve across congregations in a particular area strengthening team. They will not be the ones doing everything but will lead teams and release others in different ministry areas whilst being involved themselves. They should reflect the biblical qualifications of deacons listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and are accountable to the pastors and elders.
Core Team
The core team hold responsibility for a particular congregation and are to be committed, visible, respected and trusted leaders with a track record of serving with the necessary character, gifts and anointing of the Holy Spirit to help lead the congregation forward. They help oversee the congregation on a Sunday, encouraging teams and those serving, ensuring newcomers are welcomed, understanding the pastoral needs in the congregation, whilst encouraging the church in a heart for mission. They help carry out our shared vision and see it worked out in the local congregation, and also communicate the represent the needs of the local congregation to the wider leadership team. They are accountable to the pastors and elders and should fulfil qualities for eldership.
Elder
Oversee the spiritual life of the church. In the New Testament, many take the words elders, overseers and shepherds to refer to the same ‘office’. In Acts 20:17-38, the Ephesian elders (17) are identified as having been made overseers by the Holy Spirit (28), and commissioned to pay careful attention to all the flock (28) and protect them from wolves (29), which are obvious references to being shepherds. The chief way in which they are called to do this is with respect to false teaching (30-31), following Paul’s own example (20-21, 26-27). In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul writes about those who labour among you, care for you in the Lord and admonish you. In Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul again gives qualifications for elders.
This is a high calling. 1 Timothy 5:17 tells us elders lead and some have responsibility for teaching and preaching.
In 1 Peter 5:1-4, Peter speaks to elders as a fellow-elder (1), and charges them to shepherd the flock (2) and be examples to them (3), and to exercise oversight willingly and eagerly (2). Elders are guardians and called to be examples, shepherds, teachers, overseers and leaders. In our structures this also practically means they have responsibility for guiding the overall strategy and vision of the church. This does not trump these New Testament responsibilities but hopefully compliments them.
Ministry leads are appointed to lead a team focussed on a specific area of ministry within the church life. They will be appointed as a result of recognised service and leadership within a particular area of ministry that is key to the outworking of our church family’s vision. They may serve across congregations in a particular area strengthening team. They will not be the ones doing everything but will lead teams and release others in different ministry areas whilst being involved themselves. They should reflect the biblical qualifications of deacons listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and are accountable to the pastors and elders.
Core Team
The core team hold responsibility for a particular congregation and are to be committed, visible, respected and trusted leaders with a track record of serving with the necessary character, gifts and anointing of the Holy Spirit to help lead the congregation forward. They help oversee the congregation on a Sunday, encouraging teams and those serving, ensuring newcomers are welcomed, understanding the pastoral needs in the congregation, whilst encouraging the church in a heart for mission. They help carry out our shared vision and see it worked out in the local congregation, and also communicate the represent the needs of the local congregation to the wider leadership team. They are accountable to the pastors and elders and should fulfil qualities for eldership.
Elder
Oversee the spiritual life of the church. In the New Testament, many take the words elders, overseers and shepherds to refer to the same ‘office’. In Acts 20:17-38, the Ephesian elders (17) are identified as having been made overseers by the Holy Spirit (28), and commissioned to pay careful attention to all the flock (28) and protect them from wolves (29), which are obvious references to being shepherds. The chief way in which they are called to do this is with respect to false teaching (30-31), following Paul’s own example (20-21, 26-27). In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul writes about those who labour among you, care for you in the Lord and admonish you. In Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul again gives qualifications for elders.
This is a high calling. 1 Timothy 5:17 tells us elders lead and some have responsibility for teaching and preaching.
In 1 Peter 5:1-4, Peter speaks to elders as a fellow-elder (1), and charges them to shepherd the flock (2) and be examples to them (3), and to exercise oversight willingly and eagerly (2). Elders are guardians and called to be examples, shepherds, teachers, overseers and leaders. In our structures this also practically means they have responsibility for guiding the overall strategy and vision of the church. This does not trump these New Testament responsibilities but hopefully compliments them.
Trustee
This is an extra-biblical position and a necessity under charity regulations. It ensures we are accountable as a charity.
As a church we are a registered charity and required to have a team of trustees. The trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity including matters pertaining to finance, legal matters including safeguarding, GDPR and Health and Safety, staffing and ensuring the charity meets its objectives. This is a large volume of work in and of itself, much of which goes unseen.
Within the church structures and with regards to other areas of ministry, the trustees act as a non-executive team to whom the leadership are accountable. They are therefore required to exemplify the qualifications Paul speaks of for elders and deacons and to be trusted people to carry the responsibility well, not as a controlling force but in such a way that releases the leadership and the church in its ministry and mission.
This is an extra-biblical position and a necessity under charity regulations. It ensures we are accountable as a charity.
As a church we are a registered charity and required to have a team of trustees. The trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity including matters pertaining to finance, legal matters including safeguarding, GDPR and Health and Safety, staffing and ensuring the charity meets its objectives. This is a large volume of work in and of itself, much of which goes unseen.
Within the church structures and with regards to other areas of ministry, the trustees act as a non-executive team to whom the leadership are accountable. They are therefore required to exemplify the qualifications Paul speaks of for elders and deacons and to be trusted people to carry the responsibility well, not as a controlling force but in such a way that releases the leadership and the church in its ministry and mission.
Nomination Process
Core team (Previously Deacons)
The Core Team are nominated by the church family. Those who receive 6 nominations or more and are willing to stand will be voted for by secret ballot at a church meeting requiring 66.6% of those present and voting to be elected. They stand for a term of two years and may stand for a further term of two years, after which they will normally have at least 12 months break before the possibility of serving again.
Elders
Elders are nominated by the lead pastor in consultation with the pastors and elders. They require the affirmation of the church meeting in order to serve in this position. They stand for a term of three years and may stand for a further term of three years, after which they will normally have at least 12 months break before potentially serving again.
Trustees
The pastors are ex-officio trustees. The details of the nomination and election process for trustees is contained within the constitution. Trustees are nominated by the church. Those receiving 6 nominations or more are voted for by secret ballot at a church meeting requiring 66.6% of those present and voting to be elected. They serve for a term of three years. Similar to elders, they can re-stand for a second term after which it is regarded good practice for them to have a 12 month break. A possible exception to this would be in the case of the treasurer who is also an ex officio trustee but who still requires nomination and election as per the other trustees.
For more information please ask to see the constitution.
If you have any further questions please email the office...
The Core Team are nominated by the church family. Those who receive 6 nominations or more and are willing to stand will be voted for by secret ballot at a church meeting requiring 66.6% of those present and voting to be elected. They stand for a term of two years and may stand for a further term of two years, after which they will normally have at least 12 months break before the possibility of serving again.
Elders
Elders are nominated by the lead pastor in consultation with the pastors and elders. They require the affirmation of the church meeting in order to serve in this position. They stand for a term of three years and may stand for a further term of three years, after which they will normally have at least 12 months break before potentially serving again.
Trustees
The pastors are ex-officio trustees. The details of the nomination and election process for trustees is contained within the constitution. Trustees are nominated by the church. Those receiving 6 nominations or more are voted for by secret ballot at a church meeting requiring 66.6% of those present and voting to be elected. They serve for a term of three years. Similar to elders, they can re-stand for a second term after which it is regarded good practice for them to have a 12 month break. A possible exception to this would be in the case of the treasurer who is also an ex officio trustee but who still requires nomination and election as per the other trustees.
For more information please ask to see the constitution.
If you have any further questions please email the office...
Our Vision
Learn more about the vision at New Wells. We talk more about who we are and where we're heading
Welcome to Church!
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Sunday Mornings: 10:30am
The Well Community Cafe: Tue, Thu & Sat | 9am-12noon
The Well Community Cafe: Tue, Thu & Sat | 9am-12noon