Leadership

Elders at Reach are biblically qualified men who guide and guard the mission, vision, life, and doctrine of Reach. This includes ensuring that people are being equipped and cared for, and resources are faithfully stewarded. Simply put, elders do all they can to make sure Reach really is being the church and reaching the city. For more information, you can learn about Reach's leadership structure and the role of Pastors at Reach.

No. At Reach, “pastor” is a title you will see attached to any man or woman who has been trained and empowered for a formalized leadership role that centers around shepherding people. Our elders are all trained for pastoral care, and calling them “pastor” is an appropriate thing to do if you feel compelled to do so. For more information, you can learn about Reach's leadership structure and the role of Pastors at Reach.

At Reach women are encouraged, equipped and empowered to use their gifts to move the mission forward. You will see both pastors and preachers who are women at Reach, and we believe you will be incredibly blessed by them. Here’s where the tension comes in: we believe Scripture teaches that while every ministry activity is open to women, the leadership office of elder is intended for qualified men. If you come from a church background, this hybrid position is probably new to you. If you want to dig deeper on this topic, this document is a great place to start.

For an overview of what Reach believes about leadership roles, including Elder, Pastor, Preacher, and women in leadership, check out the videos from Pastor Brian and Dr. Gerry Breshears below.

For more information, you can learn about Reach's leadership structure and the role of Pastors at Reach.

While the Elder Team is ultimately responsible for making high-level, financial decisions that serve the mission of the church, Reach's finances are handled by an outside accounting firm, assisted by an in-house bookkeeper, and advised by a volunteer Finance Team.

‍If you have questions about Reach’s finances you can email giving@reachchurch.cc.

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Perhaps the most important thing we can declare is this: Jesus leads the Church! This declaration is not meant to be sentimental or ornamental. On the contrary, this belief should keep every leader at Reach in a place of humility (since they are not the king), prayerfulness (since intimacy is required to discern His will), and rest (for they are not ultimately responsible for building and caring for the church). For more information, you can learn about Reach's leadership structure and the role of Pastors at Reach.

• Colossians 1:17-18 | He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
• Ephesians 1:22 | He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens--far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
• Isaiah 40:11 | He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them in the fold of his garment.
• 1 Peter 5:4 | And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of unfading glory.
• John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.
• Hebrews 13:20-21 | Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  equip you with everything good to do his will.
• Hebrews 2:17 | Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
• Hebrews 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
• Hebrews 6:20 | Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
• 1 Timothy 3:2–7 | 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.
• ‍Titus 1:5–9 | This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

The Elder team is always available to the people of Reach, and can be reached any time at elders@reachchurch.cc

The Elder Candidate process at Reach extends across three distinct phases that can last between 10-12 months in total. The current process is summarized here.

Pastors are qualified men and women who have been trained for ministry, empowered by the elders, and serve in Staff roles that focus on shepherding and equipping the people of the church. For more information, you can learn about Reach's leadership structure and the role of Pastors at Reach.