About

Ultimately, Jesus is the head of his body and the King over his people.

Those among us who  provide some element of human leadership are always aware that we do this as a stewardship. We are accountable to the Lord for the way we guide and care for His people (Hebrews 13:17), and we strive to do this with a sincere conscience and a heart of love.
‍
Our vision of leadership is grounded in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. It emphasizes servanthood (Mark 10:44-45), Christlike character (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9), a parental mindset and track record (1 Timothy 3:4; see 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11) and a genuine desire to follow the Spirit’s leading into this sober and joyful responsibility (see Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1).
‍
When identifying leaders among us, we also take into consideration people’s God-given identity and gifts. This includes awareness of whether someone could carry a “five-fold” identity and calling (like in Ephesians 4:11), or whether they possess or demonstrate various Spiritual gifts related to leadership (like those mentioned in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12-14). There is no necessary correlation between these callings/gifts and local leadership, though there certainly can be!
‍

Habitation Church is led by a team of leaders who work together to nurture, build, protect, empower and release people into the work of the Kingdom. The Scriptures regularly speak of the necessity of parental figures whose responsibility it is to raise disciples and help shape them in their journeying with God and being conformed to the image of Jesus by the power and work of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes they are referred to as “elders” (Acts 14:23; 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1) which likely derives from the Old Testament’s references to a group of older, wiser men whose leadership in a city was meant to bring stability, ensure justice and enable the community to live in the blessing of the Lord. Other times, they are referred to as “overseers” (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:7). This is a term that was used in the Greco-Roman world to refer to someone who functioned as a guardian or steward within a specific group of people.
‍
Sometimes they are referred to with general terms beside the two above, but with the same expectations of their role in caring for, serving and otherwise leading God’s people (Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17).

Regardless of the terminology, these leaders are responsible for the overall health, growth and work of the church. They serve together, sharing responsibility and authority, in order to ‘ground’ God’s international mission in the city, neighborhoods and households in which they live.
‍
We use the term “leader,” to bring distinction to those among us who are currently modeling and cultivating a way of life that aligns people with God’s heart and purposes for them through our different house churches. Our "leaders" lead house churches. We acknowledge their life and influence in our church work.
‍
We see our leaders as “under shepherds” to the Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4). Their role of allowing the resource of their life in God to be an instrument that God can use via a relational influence is vital to the overall integrity and trajectory of our church work.