Churches of Christ do not have a professional clergy class in the traditional sense. Every congregation is led by a plurality of elders (bishops/overseers) who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, assisted by deacons. Preachers are employed to proclaim the Word but do not hold sacerdotal office. All believers are considered 'priests' before God (1 Peter 2:9).

Churches of Christ are uniformly complementarian in church leadership: only men serve as elders, deacons, and preachers based on 1 Timothy 2:12 and related texts. This is a virtually universal position across the fellowship, not a point of ongoing debate as in some other traditions. Women contribute actively to the congregation's life but do not hold formal teaching or leadership authority over men in the assembly.