Does the New Testament condone the appointment of a man to take charge of the ministry or to conduct the worship of the local church or assembly?

Headship

Jesus Christ is the only scripturally recognized Head of the Church. "[God] hath put all things under His [Christ’s] feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church" (Eph. 1:22). "[Christ] is the Head of the body, the Church" (Col. 1:18).

Jesus Christ is present in the assembly of saints to direct and lead as Head. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

The Holy Spirit is also present and is the One through whom Christ directs the assembled believers. "In [Christ Jesus] all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21,22). "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2).

Gifts

Each member of the body of Christ has been given a special gift and is responsible to use it for the common good. "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us, let each exercise them accordingly" (Rom. 12:6 NASB). "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Cor. 12:7). "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10). "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. . . . For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:7,12).

The Spirit directs the functioning of the gifts. "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:11 NASB).

Man-made order restricts the working of the Spirit. "Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17).

God’s order allows for the liberty of the Spirit. "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted" (1 Cor. 14:29-31). "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:11).

Worship

The system of having certain men set apart from the people to perform special priestly duties has been done away with. In Christ all believers are priests and have the responsibility to function as such. "Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. … Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:5,9). "[Jesus Christ] hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father" (Rev. 1:6). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. … I will therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Tim. 2:5,8). "And having a [great] Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:21,22).

Worship is not by schedule or outward forms. "God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

Worship flows from the heart when its object is in contemplation. "But when they [the disciples] saw Him, they worshipped Him" (Matt. 28:17). "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever" (Rev. 4:10).

Worship is empowered and led by the Spirit. "We are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3 NASB).

Note:Though the open ministry of spiritual gifts and the priesthood of all believers are clear teachings in the Word of God, women are given a place of submission within the assembly that ought to be adhered to (1 Cor. 14:34,35; 1 Tim. 2:11-14).

Offices

Deacons served the local assembly in regard to material and financial matters (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).

Bishops (or overseers) and elders_often interchangeable terms in Scripture_(Acts 20:17,28,29; Tit. 1:5-9):

1. More than one in the local churches:Acts 20:17,28,29; Phil. 1:1.

2. Responsible to shepherd the flock and hold the truth:Acts 20:17,28-31; Tit. 1:9.

3. Did not necessarily teach:1 Tun. 5:17,18. (Note:The word translated "feed" in 1 Pet. 5:2 KJV is better translated "shepherd.")

4. Teaching not confined to them:1 Cor. 16:15,16. The apostle Paul was gifted as a teacher, among other gifts, but was not an overseer or elder of a local assembly.

5. They were ordained (appointed) by an apostle (Acts 14:19-23) or by one directly commissioned by an apostle (Tit. 1:5-9). We never read of overseers being appointed either by the assembly at large or by previously appointed overseers.

Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists

These terms refer to gifts and not offices. They are found among the 19 gifts that God’s Word mentions by name (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-10; Eph. 4:7-13). In distinction from the bishops and deacons who were appointed by apostles, these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12) and the persons so gifted are directly responsible to the Lord in the exercise of their gift.