The Anchor Fellowship operates its church governance through elders chosen from the congregation itself. The elders of the local church retain complete authority of their church, and make decisions as a group. Our pastors generally serve as elders, but has no greater authority than any of the other elders.

Each of the churches represented in the New Testament had elders who provided oversight, direction and correction to the church, and that is the model for us today. Of the elders, there are individuals who serve as the preaching pastor/elder, but all of those who serve as elders share equal authority in the local congregation. The authority does not (and should not) belong to one individual. The truth is that there are no churches listed anywhere in Scripture which were shepherded by a single pastor/elder.

Scripture provides the guidelines for leadership within the local church, and a plurality of elders is the method demonstrated consistently throughout the New Testament. Paul, in providing instruction to Titus, said to “appoint elders in every city” (Titus 1.5). Likewise, James referenced the elders of the church (James 5.14). Paul and Barnabus appointed elders in every church (Acts 14.23). Most notably, Paul gave great instruction to Timothy concerning the church at Ephesus, and referred to the elders of the church (1 Tim 5.17; Acts 20.17). The case for a plurality of elders is strengthened by the fact that all instances of presbuteros in the Greek New Testament are in a plural form, with three exceptions. The Apostle John used it of himself (singularly) in both 2nd John and 3rd John. Peter also used it of himself (singularly) in 1 Peter 5.1. With the exception of these three personal references, every other usage was in a plural form.

The Goal of Elders: Ephesians 4.11-16

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The above descriptions can be found in these passages of scripture. 
Acts 6.4; 20.28-31; Ephesians 4.11-16; 1 Timothy 3.1-7; 5.17; Titus 1.6-11; James 5.14-15; 1 Peter 5.1-3.