Kingdom Governance Standards

Kingdom
Governance

These 4 Principles Balance Governance

Unity in Diversity (Romans 12:4)

Though diverse, we are one in Christ

Individual Sovereignty (Romans 12: 6-7)

We are individuals, uniquely called and gifted

Equality (Romans 10:12b)

We are a priesthood of all believers

Scripture as final Rule of Law (James 1:22, 2 Peter1:3 and John 1:1)

The word of God has all things for life and godliness

Unity in Diversity (Romans 12:4)

Though diverse, we are one in Christ

The Unity Part of Unity in Diversity.

In God’s government, every Christ-follower has a place in the Kingdom—called to actively participate in God’s righteous governance.

Each believer is a priest before God—personally able to hear His voice and receive His direction through both the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Though we are diverse—created uniquely with different roles and functions (the ear is not the hand)—God equips each of us with specific gifts and callings that contribute to the whole.

Summary

God holds each one of us personally responsible to listen to His voice and to walk in faithful obedience.

Individual Sovereignty (Romans 12: 6-7)

We are individuals, uniquely called and gifted

Individual Sovereignty:

The Diversity Part of Unity in Diversity (Romans 12:6–7)

We are individuals—each uniquely called and gifted by God.

His design is not uniformity, but unity expressed through diversity.

The unity is found in Christ; the diversity is revealed as each Christ-follower allows God to work uniquely through their life.

Equality (Romans 10:12b)

We are a priesthood of all believers

Equality

All are equal before God. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). While our spheres of responsibility may differ, no one holds superiority in God’s Kingdom. Leaders are not elevated above followers; rather, they are called to serve in humility. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Romans 12:3). True leadership reflects the servant-heart of Christ (Mark 10:43–45).

Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability

In God’s Kingdom, authority is always delegated by God and bounded, directly tied to our assigned areas of responsibility. Our jurisdiction—and the authorization to serve using the gifts God gives—flows from Him, not from human systems.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7).

God’s authority is absolute; ours is limited to the roles and functions He assigns. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach” (Romans 12:6–8).
Each of us is accountable to God—and often to one another—for faithfully stewarding the responsibilities entrusted to us (Romans 12:4–5).

This kind of authority is known as functional authority—rooted in God’s calling and the spiritual gifts He provides. It is distinct from administrative or positional authority, which is conferred through human organizational structures.

At times, the outworking of a person’s gifts and calling may naturally lead to the formation of teams, ministries, or organizations. In these cases, positional authority may rightly be established to support order, stewardship, and effectiveness. However, such authority must remain submitted to the purposes of God and aligned with the original functional authority that gave rise to it.

Importantly, positional authority only exists by agreement. It is always yielded, never wielded. It functions best when grounded in mutual trust, voluntary cooperation, and shared submission to Christ.

While positional authority should be honored where appropriate, it must never override conscience. When respectful alignment is not possible, participation should be limited to areas of genuine agreement—or, in cases of pervasive differences that cannot be resolved through Biblical reconciliation, participation should be withdrawn entirely. Biblical reconciliation meets God’s expectation that we actively pursue unity, see point 1.

Scripture as final Rule of Law
(James 1:22, 2 Peter1:3 and John 1:1)

The word of God has all things for life and godliness

Scripture. God’s Rule of Law.

(Romans 12:1–2, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, 2 Peter 1:3, Matthew 6:31–33)

Scripture reveals God’s rule of law—His authoritative standard for life and governance. It teaches us how to know God, follow Jesus, and live rightly. Through the Word and the Spirit, we receive both wisdom and power for living in alignment with His ways with Him and others.

We must hold firmly to His Word, which has given us everything we need for life and godly living (2 Peter 1:3). As we renew our minds through Scripture, we grow in our ability to discern God’s will and align with His ways. And when we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, we are aligned with His provision and His purpose (Matthew 6:33)

Why are these Kingdom Governance Standards important?

Rules

Using Kingdom Governance Standards™ can help address the issue of man-made rules. People often create man-made rules that end up controlling themselves and others, limiting or directing service in ways that do not align with biblical principles. These rules may be driven by tradition, preference, or cultural bias rather than Scripture.

For example, a ministry leader in the North Central Region of Pennsylvania was told he was “unqualified” to lead a regional effort because he was deeply involved with his marketplace ministry. In another case, a woman caring for an ill family member was criticized by her spouse for missing church services—even though her absence was an act of love and sacrifice. These types of judgments, often reinforced by “special teachings,” lack true grounding in God’s Word.

Jurisdiction

There are times when we are asked to help navigate circumstances or resolve conflict in areas where we hold no formal administrative authority. In these cases, a clear understanding of Kingdom Governance is essential. When positional roles don’t provide the solution—or when ministry crosses congregational or domain boundaries—we must rely on biblical principles to guide us. Kingdom Governance Standards equip us to sort out responsibilities, apply appropriate accountability, and pursue solutions and reconciliation in a way that is both thorough and faithful to God’s intent.

Kingdom Governance Standards™

You may use Kingdom Governance StandardsTM in whole or in part for your organization, on your website and your social media.

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