"For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace...
everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
1 Corinthians 14:40

• The church is more and organism than an organization.
• The church is a theocracy not a democracy.
• It is not structured as a government, business or school.
• Structure is like a skeleton holding the body together.
• It functions best when unseen. Every church has a structure for better or worse.
• Some structures keep a church from growing while others create conflict.

How Should the Church be Structured?

The nature of the church determines the structure of the church. What it "is" determines how it is organized.
Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23, Colossians 1:18, 2:19

We're a body... not a BUSINESS.
Therefore, we function on the basis
of spiritual gifts, not democratic vote.

"Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We each have different gifts according to the grace given us." Romans 12:4-6

Therefore, it is cared for and led by the shepherd. (Shepherds lead and feed).
Three different terms are used in the New Testament to refer to the same church leaders:

poimen = pastor/shepherd
prebuteros = elder
episcopos = overseer/bishop

"To the elders say... be shepherds of God's flock, serving as overseers."
1 Peter 5:1-2

"Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived he said to them... guard yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be pastors of the church of God..."
Acts 20:17-18

(See also Titus 1:5-7, 1 Timothy 5:17)