Editing Open Brethren (section)

=== Leadership ===
While much of typical Brethren theology closely parallels non-[[Calvinism|Calvinist]] English and American [[Baptist]] traditions on many points, the view on clergy is much closer to the [[Quakers]] in rejecting the idea of [[clergy]]. Many Protestant denominations claim adherence to the New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of all believers<ref>{{bibleverse|1Pet|2:9–10}}</ref> to varying extents. One of the most defining elements of the Brethren is the rejection of the concept of clergy. Rather, in keeping with the doctrine of the [[Priesthood of all believers]], they view all Christians as being ordained by God to serve and are therefore ministers. The Brethren embrace the most extensive form of that idea in that there is no ordained or unordained person or group employed to function as [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]](s) or [[pastor]](s).

====Pastors and itinerant preachers====
Brethren assemblies are led by the local church elders within any fellowship and historically there is no office of "senior pastor" in most Brethren churches, because they believe such an office does not exist in the New Testament. The English word in its plural form, "pastors", is found only once in many English versions of the New Testament, being a translation of the original [[Koine Greek]] word ''poimenas'' as found in Ephesians 4:11. Therefore, there is no formal ordination process for those who preach, teach, or lead, within their meetings. In place of an ordained ministry, an itinerant preacher often receives a "commendation" to the work of preaching and/or teaching that demonstrates the blessing and support of the assembly of origin. In most English-speaking countries, such preachers have traditionally been called "full time workers", "labouring brothers", or "on the Lord's work"; in India, they are usually called [[Evangelism|Evangelist]]s and very often are identified with '''Evg.''' in front of their name. A given assembly may have any number of full-time workers, or none at all.

In the last twenty years, many assemblies in Australia and New Zealand, and some elsewhere, have broken with tradition and have begun calling their full-time workers "Pastors", but this is not seen as ordaining clergy and does not connote a transfer of any special spiritual authority. In such assemblies, the Pastor is simply one of several elders, and differs from his fellow-elders only in being salaried to serve full-time. Depending on the assembly, he may, or may not, take a larger share of the responsibility for preaching than his fellow-elders.

====Elders====
The Open Brethren believe in a [[Plurality (church governance)|plurality of elders]] (Acts 14:23; 15:6,23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1)—men meeting the Biblical qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. This position is also taken in some [[Baptist]] churches, especially [[Reformed Baptist]]s, by the [[Churches of Christ]], and increasingly by independent non-denominational evangelical churches. It is understood that [[church elder|elders]] are appointed by the Holy Spirit ([[Acts 20:28]]) and are recognised as meeting the qualifications by the assembly and by previously existing elders, whereas some believe in the time of the establishment of the first New Testament assemblies it was either an apostle's duty or his directly appointed delegate's responsibility to ordain elders (for example, Timothy or Titus), this original order being consistent with the Christian concept that authority comes from above and does not arise from men.

Men who become elders, or those who become deacons and overseers within the fellowship, are ones who have been recognised by others within the individual assemblies and have been given the blessing of performing leadership tasks by the elders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrf.com/articles/casino.htm|title=Defining Religion In American Law|access-date=2009-07-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514092022/http://www.icrf.com/articles/casino.htm|archive-date=2006-05-14}}</ref> An elder should be able and ready to ''teach'' when his assembly sees the "call of God" on his life to assume the office of elder (1 Timothy 3:2). Brethren elders conduct many other duties that would be typically performed by "the clergy" in other Christian groups, including: counselling those who have decided to be baptised, performing baptisms, visiting the sick and giving spiritual counsel in general. Normally, sermons are given by either the elders or men who regularly attend the Sunday meetings; but, again, only men whom the elders recognise have the "call of God" on their lives. Visiting speakers, however, are usually paid their travel costs and provided for with Sunday meals following the meetings.

====Deacons====
The main role of the "[[deacon]]" is to assist the elders with members' needs. Deacons are usually chosen from members who have demonstrated exceptional Christian piety. (see 1 Timothy 3:8–12). However, in many meetings there is no official list of deacons, diaconal work being shared by anyone willing to give a helping hand in a particular task.

Brethren groups generally recognise from the teachings of the [[Apostle Paul]]'s [[epistle]]s that not all the believers in any one fellowship are suited to give public ministry such as teaching and preaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=4&v=11&t=NKJV#s=1101011 |title=Ephesians IV, 11|access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref>