EP 304 – Elders, Deacons, a Plurality of Pastors and Tactical Patience with Mark Clifton
Here we are, back at the Bootcamp—back at it again! I had the chance to sit down with my boss and good friend, El Jefehimself, Mark Clifton, during the REVIVE event in Daytona Beach to tackle a topic that’s gaining traction among younger pastors: elders and church leadership in revitalization.
Mark and I talk about why so many pastors are drawn to a biblical model of shared leadership and what it looks like to lead with a plurality of pastors instead of carrying the load alone. We also dig into why some churches resist the idea of elders, how to introduce change wisely, and how to avoid turning structure into a silver bullet.
Mark brings decades of wisdom to this conversation—unpacking the historical roots of Baptist polity, the confusion between deacons and elders, and the difference between being elder-led and elder-ruled. He also shares some practical and pastoral insights on introducing healthy leadership structures without blowing things up in the process.
You’ll hear why tactical patience matters in replanting, how language can open (or close) doors for change, and why just because something hasn’t changed yet doesn’t mean you’ve compromised.
deacons, elders, Mark Clifton, plurality
