The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church
Chapter 12—Leadership in the Church of Christ
Leadership is a vital necessity in the work of God as well as in any other organization governing the various aspects of life’s activities. God, in His providence, made provision for this in the very early days of earth’s history. Even in the pre-sanctuary period the father was priest in his family. We read also of Melchizedek, who was priest of the Most High God. When the children of Israel were in Egypt certain men were known as elders of the people (Exodus 3:16), and in the final arrangements for the Exodus Moses took careful continuous counsel with these elders. BSPC 168.8