At Sycamore we believe that the leadership should resemble Jesus Christ in His compassion, humility, faithfulness, and wisdom. This side of glory we will always fall short of our Lord’s perfect compassion, humility, faithfulness, and wisdom. And therefore, above all else, we believe that our leadership must continually strive to direct God’s people to the grace and sufficiency which is theirs in Christ. We are structured with the official offices of: Elders and Deacons
Elders
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd and Overseer of His church and that He has ordained under-shepherds, or pastors, to lead His people (1 Pet 5:1-4). The Scripture sometimes refers to the pastors of the church as overseers/bishops and elders, but they are one office described from different angles (Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:1-2). True pastors understand that they have no authority of their own to lord over others, but are ministers of that authority which Christ exercises through His Word (2 Tim 3:16-17; Titus 2:15). Therefore, it is incumbent upon the pastors, having met the biblical qualifications (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11), and having been recognized by the church (1 Tim 4:14), to fulfill their office with the meekness and compassion of Christ for His sheep. They are to guard His sheep from wolves and false doctrine. Furthermore, they are to feed His sheep, exercising the keys of the kingdom by teaching Christ’s people to observe all that He has commanded.
Salvatore Pezzino
PastorJonathan Paul
Pastor
Brett Shaw
Pastor & Missionary / Church-Planter to Bozeman, MTDeacons
We believe that Jesus Christ is the chief Minister of Mercy; His goal is the complete renewal of the entire person, body and soul, in the resurrection of His people on the last day. Therefore, our exalted Lord has granted to his church the gift of deacons, as ministers of His mercy. They are to care for the practical needs of the flock, enabling the pastors “to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4), and encourage God’s people to endure the trials of this life with the hope of the resurrection and the present comfort that Christ has not forgotten them in their time of need or cast them off in their distress. In this way, Christ supplies His people with the spiritual solace and strength which is necessary to face life with quiet confidence and victorious assurance.
