This question is more complex than it first seems but if often answered simplistically. People say things like: the church is subject to the head, which is Jesus Christ, and no one else!

Elders

Whereas this is true in some ways, we remember that in the early church, Paul insisted that elders were appointed:

Titus 1:5  I directed you, to appoint elders in every town HCSB.

It is also recorded that the apostles prayed over the elders:

Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. HCSB

Anyone who accepts a New Testament leadership structure will probably agree with the guidance of local churches being governed by local leaders. However, it is also a fact that the local leaders listened to their national counterparts.

Acts 15:23-29 From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,

To the brothers from among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Because we have heard that some to whom we gave no authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, 25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it was the Holy Spirit's decision—and ours—to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell. HCSB

As much as it was normal to receive messages from the apostles and to act on them, there were occasionally leaders who would refuse:

3 John 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. NIV

It is clear that John considered Diotrephes to be in error, and there are a number of encouragements to respect elders in the church and to honour them.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders.

1 Tim 5:17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says:

You must not muzzle an ox that is threshing grain, and,

The labourer is worthy of his wages.

19 Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you, before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favouritism. HCSB

So, the New Testament suggestion is that local church should be led by local elders in subjection to the apostles.

Now, you may say ‘we have the teaching of the apostles in the Word of God’ so we no longer need any ‘national’ leadership’ or ‘apostles’, and elders need not be subject to anyone else. However, others would point out that God has never said that the days of apostolic ministry in the church would pass.

Eph 4:11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. HCSB

Tradition

We have more denominations in the church of Jesus Christ than you can shake a stick at, and leadership models abound. The old traditional  C of E and Catholic models see a hierarchical leadership, which is allegedly past down with apostolic succession, but the idea of local leadership can be a bit vague. The C of E has its parochial church councils (PCC’s) but in some parish’s there is no guarantee that Christians will be given such responsibility. Post reformation protestant models can also vary a lot, but in general they don’t see quite as much national hierarchy, but they do in general see a national leadership group that has responsibility over local churches.

Some national denominations have direct leadership over local groups, others only offer guidance and some Christians are so caught up in their denominational structures that they may not have considered that there ever was anything else or be devoted to their tradition.

Leadership can change dramatically in some of the older groupings, when you can imagine previous bishops that openly dismissed the resurrection (a fundamental Christian belief) and current archbishops that offer a lot of hope to the wider church by their strong Biblical beliefs.

Accountability

Fundamentally, I believe that some track of accountability should exist in every church and because of our relational theology I see that as relational accountability. By that I mean that accountability only works properly if you are subject to people with whom you have a strong relationship. This should always be the case in the local church between Pastor and Elders, but can work just as well nationally too.

By relational, I mean that unless a person sees you regularly and gets to know you and has some degree of developed friendship with you, how can they adequately hold you accountable for anything?

So as a local church we believe in the importance of relational accountability with ‘apostolic’ figures in our nation. Attached to the Ichthus network as a "Link" church, we can continue to function as a local church responsible for our own charitable acts and financial affairs, but our partnership with Ichthus is a reality because we relate to others in the network and we have clear lines of accountability.

I do believe that the local church should wherever practical have local leadership (an exception might be during a period of church planting for example). I also believe that having a clear line of accountability (that MUST work) is also an essential. I also believe in fellowship – that we should be willing to cross denominational barriers to meet with like-minded people who worship Jesus. I would never condemn anyone who chose a different stream of church to be part of, in fact, what matters is that there is a stream that you feel comfortable to be part of!

Headship

In 2017 we see the first ever agreement between 19 Christian festivals about what the Spirit is saying to the churches, so this year you will find similar themes at all of them. I will still go to the ‘One Event’ because the style suits me and the relational leadership rings my bell, but I will go knowing that most Christians this year will be hearing the Holy Spirit speak on a common theme.

Some people will come from traditional streams and others from the Pentecostals or the New Churches, what matters is that we worship as one and listen to God. I suppose what I am saying is that I think that which denominational or network stream you are part of doesn’t worry me, but whether we are all seeking first the kingdom of God does. There are good and bad among all leadership models, we must always look to deliver the best we can, but we must also be prepared to change!

I don’t have any problem with churches being financially independent, but if I am totally honest, I do have a problem with churches that cannot demonstrate any direct lines of accountability. We all make mistakes sometimes and when I am in a local church that makes them, I want to know that there will be proper investigations and rigorous procedures to protect the flock and the testimony of Jesus.

Is Christ the head? Yes! But Christ appoints under-shepherds in his flock and the apostles ensured that this happened. Do we always get structures right? No! But we must not be afraid of answering the big questions, especially when they help the gospel.