When speaking of the church, we refer to it in either the local or universal sense. From looking at the biblical record, we find that local churches were organized to be independent from each other (
1 Peter 5:1-3), answering only to Jesus, the Head of the church (
Ephesians 1:22-23). In passages where the universal church is under discussion (
Ephesians 5:23-27), scripture is silent concerning any formal organization. The Lord’s church has been organized without earthly headquarters and bureaucracies. Jesus is the head of the church and elders in local congregations answer directly to Him.
http://www.bible.ca/ef/topical-local...sing-error.htm