How Is Heartland Governed?
The head of Heartland Community Church is Jesus Christ. As a community of faith we seek to reflect His priorities in all we do and how we do it. No decision is ever made that would knowingly contradict any of Jesus’ teaching. In addition, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we endeavor to discern God’s program for us as a church. Whenever a ministry plan is implemented, we keep one eye on our effectiveness and the other on the next step God seems to be showing us.
Multifaceted Leadership
On a human level, there are three groups of people that direct the ministries of Heartland. These are the Elders, the Leadership Team, and the Staff.
Serving in Unity
What makes Heartland work smoothly is the humble, servant-like spirit of these groups of people. Leaders at all levels do not see it as their role to “lord it over” those in their charge, but desire to serve the body with their gifts and to build the Kingdom rather than an “empire.” Those who are a part of the church sense this servanthood in action and likewise esteem those in leadership. Whether as a leader or a follower, everyone in the church is submitted to Jesus Christ, and we all consider others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). This spirit of cooperation and appreciation is one of the remarkable features of the ministry of Heartland and is one of God’s greatest blessings to our body. It is a fragile gift, however, and any person desiring to become a partner should value and protect it.
In response to the biblical pattern of leadership, members in the church are taught in Scripture to lovingly support their leaders and submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13).
The Elders
The New Testament teaches that the church is to be led by a plurality of godly leaders under the oversight and watch care of the Elders. The Elders are given ultimate responsibility and authority to see that the church remains on a true course biblically, that its members are being appropriately shepherded, that the body is being fed through insightful, relevant and accurate biblical teaching, and that the life of the church is being managed well with the assistance of other competent and godly leaders.
They are to care for the spiritual and physical well-being of members by regularly praying for the sick. They are to guard the body against harmful influences, confronting those who are contradicting biblical truth or who are continuing in patterns of sinful behavior. In doing this, they close potential entrances for Satan, so that the truth of Christ will remain credible to both the congregation and the community (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28- 31; Titus 1:9; James 5:14).
The Elders also give oversight to the legal and financial aspects of Heartland’s ministry. They establish policy and procedures to ensure that the church is led well.
Meet and learn more about the Heartland Elders.
The Leadership Team
The Leadership Team is a sub-group of staff leaders, lay leaders, and selected Elders who develop the strategic ministry initiatives of Heartland Community Church. The Leadership Team is led by Lead Pastor Josh Peigh, who is accountable to the elders.
The Staff
The staff then supports and implements the strategies and priorities determined by the Leadership Team. They are responsible for the day-to-day ministries and operation of the church.
*A copy of the by-laws of Heartland Community Church is available on request.