Our desire is not simply to have an organizational structure, but to have a biblical and healthy leadership framework that helps the church remain faithful to Jesus, care well for people, and move forward on mission.

Northside is set up to be governed by the Lead Pastor, Staff Elders, and Board of Directors, all under the headship of Jesus. Each role serves a distinct purpose, working together for the spiritual health, direction, and accountability of the church.

First and foremost, Northside is governed by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We believe the Church belongs to Him, exists for Him, and is led by Him through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, every leadership role at Northside is meant to function under His authority. Our leaders are called to seek the Lord through prayer, submit to Scripture, and make decisions that honor Christ and serve His people.

The Lead Pastor serves as the primary spiritual leader of the church. His role includes shepherding the flock, overseeing the public teaching ministry, giving direction to the staff, and helping guide the overall ministry of Northside.

The Lead Pastor is expected to meet the biblical qualifications for church leadership and to serve with humility, faithfulness, and accountability. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, facilitating board meetings and ensuring that the decisions of the Board are implemented.

While the Lead Pastor provides primary spiritual leadership, he does not lead alone. He serves alongside and under the accountability of the Staff Elders and Board of Directors.

The Elders provide spiritual leadership and shepherding care for the church. Their role includes guarding the doctrine, direction, teaching, ministry, and spiritual health of Northside.

Elders are responsible for praying for the church, caring for its people, overseeing day-to-day ministry, leading the staff, supporting and holding the Lead Pastor accountable, and equipping others for the work of the ministry. Not only that, but staff elders are responsible for shepherding the church through seasons of growth, difficulty, correction, and care.

Elders are selected through prayerful consideration and must meet the biblical qualifications for leadership. Their leadership is intended to be biblical, humble, and protective of the church’s mission and health.

The Board of Directors provides legal, financial, and strategic oversight for the church. The Board helps ensure that Northside remains faithful to its mission, handles resources responsibly, and makes major decisions with wisdom and accountability.

The Board is responsible for assisting in strategic decisions of the church, advising and encouraging the Lead Pastor, providing accountability, and helping ensure that the church’s ministry and operations remain aligned with Scripture and mission.

Northside’s Board consists of no fewer than three and no more than nine Directors. Directors serve three-year terms and may be reelected. Like Elders, Directors must meet the biblical qualifications for church leadership and fully affirm the doctrinal statements adopted by the church.

Those who serve as Lead Pastor, Staff Elders, and Directors are expected to meet the biblical qualifications for church leadership found in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-9.

These qualifications emphasize character, spiritual maturity, faithfulness, self-control, humility, hospitality, sound doctrine, and a life that is above reproach. Leadership at Northside is not simply about gifting, experience, or organizational ability. It is first about Christlike character and faithfulness to God’s Word.

In addition to biblical qualifications, leaders must fully affirm the doctrinal statements adopted by the church and demonstrate a commitment to the mission, unity, and spiritual health of Northside.

Northside’s leadership structure is designed to provide both spiritual leadership and practical accountability. We believe healthy leadership includes prayerful discernment, shared wisdom, clear responsibility, and appropriate checks and balances.

At Northside, decisions are made through the appropriate leadership group depending on the nature of the decision. The Lead Pastor handles some decisions, some by Staff Elders, some by the Board of Directors, and some through the collaboration of leadership groups.

Significant actions—such as electing or removing a Lead Pastor, materially amending the bylaws, selling substantial church assets, or dissolving the church—require a higher level of approval. This helps ensure that major decisions are not made quickly, casually, or without broad leadership agreement.

Northside is a Tennessee nonprofit religious corporation and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. We believe financial stewardship is a matter of worship, trust, and responsibility.

Each year, the Board of Directors approves an annual budget for the following fiscal year. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

The Treasurer of the Board of Directors works with the staff Director of Operations (or similarly held position), to help ensure church funds are handled responsibly and above reproach.

Additionally, the Board of Directors reviews monthly financial reports to ensure proper oversight of resources.

Church resources are used to support Northside's ongoing mission to worship Jesus, equip the saints, and engage the lost. The church does not accept gifts that would restrict or violate its religious, charitable, or educational purposes.

Northside believes church correction should be carried out biblically, humbly, and with the goal of restoration. When sin or serious concerns arise, leaders seek to follow the pattern of Matthew 18 with care, wisdom, and a desire for repentance and reconciliation.

Correction is never intended to be harsh, punitive, or self-protective. It is meant to honor Jesus, protect the health of the church, and lovingly pursue the restoration of those involved. When concerns involve leaders, staff, or members of the congregation, the process is handled with appropriate seriousness, confidentiality, and biblical care.

All correction is to be carried out in the spirit of Christ, with the goal of restoration to the Lord and reconciliation with the body of Christ.

The mission of Calvary Chapel Northside is to guide every individual toward becoming a wholehearted follower of Jesus through magnifying Jesus, equipping the saints, and engaging the lost.

Our governance exists to support that mission. Structures, policies, leadership roles, and decision-making processes are not the mission themselves. They are meant to serve the mission by helping Northside remain faithful, healthy, accountable, and focused on what Jesus has called us to do.

For more detail about our governance, leadership structure, and operating procedures, you can download our full bylaws below.