Our Leaders

While we are a Baptist Church, which holds to a congregational form of church government, we believe that God has appointed two offices to serve the church in leadership. The biblical requirements for those appointed to these offices is clearly laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We are committed that only biblically-qualified individuals should fill these offices.

Elders

The biblical requirements for the office of pastor are found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. In the Bible, the terms “pastor,” “elder” and “overseer” (or “bishop”) are used interchangeably to describe the same office. The office of pastor is reserved biblically for biblically qualified, constrained and called men.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:1–7

At present, Central Baptist Church has three elders.

Karabo Msiza, pastor

David Nyoni, pastor

Hophney Makokwe, pastor

Deacons

Deacons are church members who have been appointed to serve the body in practical ways, thereby allowing the elders to give themselves fully to the task of prayer and the ministry of the word. By serving the body in a biblical way, deacons reduce murmuring in the body and thereby allow it to grow (see Acts 6).

The Bible clearly delineates what is required of those who will serve as deacons.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:8–13

At present, five church members fulfil the role of deacon.