For decades, these kinds of questions have been asked by believers assuming that there must be some kind of hierarchical structure to the local churches. Such questions, while they may be sincere, stem from the assumption that the local churches, like other Christian groups, are upheld by human organization. In actuality, the local churches function according to the principle of the organic Body of Christ, and Living Stream Ministry supplies rather than directs the local churches. The following article at Shepherding Words discusses the difference between the Body as a living organism and man-made organization and shows how leadership is practiced in the Lord’s recovery according to the principles in the New Testament.