The Universal Church All of God's elect who have ever lived, are now living, or ever will live, make up the one true universal or catholic church. Under Jesus Christ, the head, the church is his bride, his building, his body, and his kingdom, though his authority is by no means confined to the church alone. In addition to that one catholic or universal church, which is fully known only by God, Scripture also speaks of the local church. All professed believers are commanded to gather together in local bodies for worship, teaching, and encouragement. The local church is God's primary vehicle for building up the believer in the faith.
Elders are responsible to shepherd and teach the local church.
The elders are the final authority in the church. They are to be qualified according to the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They are never allowed to lord it over the people. There ought to be more than one elder. All the elders have equal authority and are the pastors of the church.