The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. The office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.
— Matthew 18:20 (WEB)

Note

BFM was amended in 2023 to further clarify the qualifications of pastor/elder/overseer. The autonomy of the local church is foundational.

Bible references

Matthew 16:15-19 · Matthew 18:15-20 · Acts 2:41-42,47 · Acts 5:11-14 · Acts 6:3-6 · Acts 13:1-3 · Acts 14:23,27 · Acts 15:1-30 · Acts 16:5 · Acts 20:28 · Romans 1:7 · 1 Corinthians 1:2 · 1 Corinthians 3:16 · 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 · 1 Corinthians 7:17 · 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 · 1 Corinthians 12 · Ephesians 1:22-23 · Ephesians 2:19-22 · Ephesians 3:8-11,21 · Ephesians 5:22-32 · Philippians 1:1 · Colossians 1:18 · 1 Timothy 2:9-14 · 1 Timothy 3:1-15 · 1 Timothy 4:14 · Hebrews 11:39-40 · 1 Peter 5:1-4 · Revelation 2-3 · Revelation 21:2-3