Shared. 

We do not appoint individual leaders or pastors with sole positional authority over a faith community. Instead, we practice a model of shared leadership, where a plurality of elders work collaboratively according to their gifting. Coast Community Church elects a body of Elders with spiritual and governance responsibility across all of Coast Community. Elders, in consultation with local faith communities, appoint and entrust Overseers with shared shepherding responsibilities at the local level.

Grounded.

Our leadership approach is grounded in what we read in the New Testament.

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28 (BSB)

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​As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. I Peter 5:1-4 (BSB)

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Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honour, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18(BSB)

Missional.

The church exists for the sake of God's mission, therefore we are committed to "Contending for the Renewal of the Central Coast." All leadership and oversight at Coast Community maintains God's mission as the central organising principle of all we decide, teach and do.. Our leadership ambition is therefore:

"to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." Ephesians 412-13 (BSB)

Empowered.

We believe in the priesthood of all believers, empowering everyone to participate in God's redemptive mission. Our leadership approach therefore prioritises the equipping and participation of every family member for their own unique contribution.

Humbled.

We work hard to resist the temptations of status and hierarchy and instead endeavour to lead with the mindset of Christ and take on the nature of a servant (Philippians 27). This humility is not reserved for leaders at Coast Community, rather we desire it to be the shared and mutual disposition of the whole family.

Graced.

We embrace the New Testament synergy that is created through Christ’s fivefold graces to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, found in Ephesians 4: "And he (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13.

Rather than leaning on a sole pastor, we believe that God has graced our community with plural and local oversight made of elders, overseers and mission hub staff. We acknowledge and release leaders from among the body who are gifted and recognised by their service and spiritual maturity for the benefit of the church. This acknowledges the diverse leadership within our community and the value each person brings to God's mission.