A local church is a group of Christians who covenant together and regularly gather to practice and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through baptism and the Lord’s Supper, they mutually confirm and renew their new covenant status as participants in Christ and his Kingdom. Gathered, they exercise their official role as ambassadors of Christ, preaching the gospel and observing the ordinances he commanded. Under Christ, their head, the entire congregation holds final authority, with pastors (also called elders or overseers) appointed to teach, lead, and shepherd the flock, and deacons to attend to the practical needs of the congregation.