The Stratified Leadership Model of the First-Century Christian Church
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
This research work aims to present a solution to the problem of withering Christian congregations present in modern Christian churches by way of expounding the doctrine that Jesus or his apostles promoted, as displayed in the four canonical Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, or the New Testament epistles. This study presents factual information showing that the doctrine and arrangement of leaders that developed within the first-century church may have been overlooked and lost by the wayside of history in favor of established traditions. Paul declared his purpose for visiting the church believers in Rome was not to collect money or build houses of worship but so that their lives might manifest spiritual fruit. Following that example, improving the spiritual quality of their people's lives should be the primary goal of all Christian ministers. The majority of this work will conduct a careful exegesis of selected passages from the New Testament, which focus on the leadership model utilized by the first-century church. This study presents in detail the stratified leadership model of the early times in such a fashion that any modern church might replicate its design.
Endorsements (2)
“Much has been written in recent decades by sociologists, historians, and church leaders about the state of contemporary Christianity. Although these studies often differ in their assessments of the church’s most pressing challenges, they broadly agree that many churchgoers have grown dissatisfied—or even disillusioned—with their experiences in local congregations. In this carefully researched study, Barton Edsall argues that one potential remedy for this widespread malaise is a departure from long-standing assumptions about church leadership in favor of a more biblically grounded approach that involves a much wider body of individuals. While his conclusions may not resonate with all readers, Edsall’s thorough engagement with New Testament texts and early Christian writings is certain to prompt thoughtful reflection on the nature of church leadership and the basis of traditional models.”
“The Stratified Leadership Model of the First-Century Christian Church will challenge your assumptions about how the early first-century believers ‘did’ church and how today’s churches should operate. Dr. Barton Edsall strongly makes a case for a first-century stratified leadership model which moves away from the hierarchy model widely used today. So, if your church is needing revitalization or revival, this model might just fit the need!”
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