Herald Of Faith, Inc.   www.heraldoffaith.org
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Elders and the New Testament model for church structure
Prepared by Winston Mattsson-Boze

Introduction

Acts 14:23, Titus. 1:5. The purpose of the office of an elder is to serve the people of the church rather than to exercise power over them.

These three words refer to the same position in the church, as indicated in Acts 20.

Presbuteros            =            older (Acts 20:17)

Episkopos            =            overseer (Acts 20:28)

Poimaino            =            pastor (Acts 20:28 – from ‘to feed’)

There is no indication of a position higher than elder in the New Testament. Our commonly used term Bishop (1 Tim. 3:1), comes from the term episkopos, which was a local church title, not a position above or controlling the local church.

We do recognize that there are people of experience who give good advice to churches, but we believe that the elders are responsible before God for the leadership of the local church. They may seek advice from people of experience, but the advice is not directive.

We further recognize that most churches have a pastor in the leading position. We consider the “pastor” to be the leading elder among a group of equals. The position we refer to as pastor is neither superior to nor inferior to an elder, but is simply a way in which we maintain good order and accountability in the church.

We understand the scriptural pattern for local church leadership to rest with a group of elders rather than a single elder.

What elders do

There are five main areas of responsibility for church elders.

1.      Elders lead, or govern, the church, guided by the Holy Spirit

Acts 15:4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4. Each of these scriptures refers to a leadership role for the elders (and apostles, whom we consider to also be elders of the church).

Proistemi            =            lead

Rom 12:8

1 Thessalonians 5:12

1 Timothy 3:4-5, 5:17

Elder is almost always found in the plural form, indicating that the church is not governed by a single elder, but rather a group of elders. Acts 20:17-18, 21:18, Phil1:1, Jas. 5:14

The scriptures seem to imply that there is a leading elder. Acts 15:13, Gal 2:9

Cephas (Peter) & John refer to themselves as elders rather than as apostles. This may be because they considered the apostle’s ministry (and perhaps all the ministry gifts of Ephesians 4) to include an implied elder ministry. 1 Pet 5:1, 2 John 1, 3 John 1

The priority of the leading elder is in teaching, though all the elders are supposed to be able to teach. 1 Timothy 5:17.

Acts 15 shows how important matters are handled.

Not directly with the church v. 6

According to the scriptures. v. 15

According to the Spirit. v. 28

Elders should seek the guidance of scripture and the confirmation of the Holy Spirit in their decisions.

Governing the church involves overseeing the finances. Acts 4:37; 11:29-30

2.      Elders are the shepherds for God's flock In some languages the word pastor and shepherd are different. Elders are pastors, even if they are not the lead pastor of the church, and should act accordingly. Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2

Shepherd/pastors go ahead of the flock, that is, they are examples to the people in prayer, devotion, character, willingness to serve, the study of scripture, good works, etc. 1 Peter 5:3

Shepherd/pastors love the sheep. It should be evident in their behavior 1 Thessalonians 2:8, John 10:11

Shepherd/pastors watch over the spiritual lives of the people. Heb 13:17 "Look at/visit" means to be alert to spiritual needs and spiritual development. Matthew 25:35, Hebrews 12:15, Acts 6:3,

Shepherd/pastors discern prophecy, teaching, and all other activities in the church. They are responsible that things are done in ways that glorify God. 1 Corinthians 14:29

3.      Elders preach and teach 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 5:17

They lead people to good (spiritual) pasture Ephesians 4:11, Psalm 23

They establish sound doctrine Romans 3:2, 9:4, 1 Timothy 3:15, Acts 20:29-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Titus 1:9-11. This implies that they know the scriptures well.

They represent God as ambassadors in the congregation. So they don’t teach their own opinions, but rather what God intends for the church. 2 Corinthians. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2

4.      Elders admonish and correct people. Titus 3:11,

Acts 20:31 (They admonish with tears, that is a full emotional involvement),

Isaiah 1:6 (They admonish tenderly, considering the pain people are in),

2 Timothy 4:2 (They admonish with patience and perseverance.)

Titus 1:9 (they refute those who hold wrong teaching.)

Elders administer discipline

·        Matthew 18:15-17. This is the only time Jesus uses the term church, indicating that the church is a primary place for seeking reconciliation. The pattern is to first speak to the individual, then to speak to the offender with a small group of witnesses, and only to bring it out in public as a last resort.

·        Galatians 6:1. The attitude in discipline is very important. One must be aware of one’s own weaknesses.

·        1 Corinthians 5:6-7. This is an extreme example that was bringing disrepute on the entire church, and is probably not a model for normal church discipline.

5.      Elders pray for the sick James 5:14-15

Elders show sacrificial compassion. When the sick call, the elders respond.

Elders often receive confession and give counsel. The normal disciplines of silence about people’s problems apply. Pastoral ethics require a disciplined tongue.

Elders exercise discernment. Often there is a more important issue than the healing, and elders should be sensitive to it.

How they are. The requirements for elders. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9

·        Blameless. Elders are to live lives above reproach. They are to be free of besetting sins, and are to avoid the appearance of evil. Galatians 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, 5:22

·        One wife. We see this in a broader sense of having the family in order. Proper love and order in the family are a requirement for church leadership. Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:8,39. We see “one wife” as referring to a monogamous relationship, which permits remarriage on the death of one’s spouse. (We realize that divorce is becoming more common among church leaders. Such cases need to be reviewed by respected church leaders, and those involved need to submit to their judgment.)

·        Vigilant. Elders are to be alert to spiritual developments both within the church and in the society at large. 1 Peter 5:8

·        Sober. Elders are to be serious in their approach to all things. (This does not mean they must be somber; humor is helpful when dealing with stressful situations.) Acts 21:12, Ephesians 5:18. The word implies self-control and freedom from drunkenness.

·        Good behavior respectable, kosmios: well mannered, orderly. Elders are to be polite, considerate, and having the proper social graces within their societies.

·        Practice hospitality. Elders are to make strangers feel comfortable around them. They are to reach out to those whom others are uncomfortable with. Hospitality is based in selflessness, considering the needs of the other person. 1 Peter 4:9,10, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2

·        Apt to teach. This is the quality that most distinguishes elders from deacons. They are called to function in some way in the teaching ministry. That is not to say that they must be “professors,” but their lives should give forth Christian teaching by both word and example.

There are various aspects of teaching.

Formal. A teacher teaches a specific audience in a structured way. Matthew 22:37

Informal. Jesus often used circumstances to present teaching.

Revelation of God’s will. Elders perceive the divine intent of the scriptures, even beyond the specific meaning. Matthew 5:17-18

Anointed. Teaching should be just as inspiring as preaching. A teacher learns the difference between anointing and mere emotions. John 8:28, 14:26, 1 John 2:27.

Didache is the word used for systematic, doctrinal teaching. Matthew. 28:20

Acts 8:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 4:21

·        Not given to wine. Elders should not be addicted to alcohol. In most nations of the world they interpret this to mean not drinking alcohol at all. (See under sober above)

·        Not violent, but gentle. Elders should speak and act gently. Philippians 4:5

·        Not greedy. Elders must not focus their lives on gaining inordinate  riches, but rather should share their blessings with others.

·        Patient. Elders must be both patient and persevering in their duties.

·        Not quarrelsome. Elders are not to be seeking reasons to raise disputes. They are not to be “fighters.” 2 Timothy 2:23, Titus 3:1

Additional thoughts on the requirements for elders that are not listed in 1 Timothy and Titus.

• They are to be mature believers, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Galatians 5:22-23
• They are to have a serious prayer life. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• They need to understand what Christian ministry is. This implies being involved in one or more of the ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11). Elders are pastor/shepherds along with the lead pastor of the church, and therefore must have the spiritual maturity required to give good counsel.
• Elders are to be willing to suffer, as Christ suffered. 2 Timothy 1:8
• They are to be willing to serve in “menial” tasks. Acts 13:5; Philippians. 2:22; Acts 28:3

Additional comments on eldership.

• We see benefit in having formal theological training, but that is never made a requirement for eldership in the scriptures. Neither do we see formal theological training as superceding the requirements for eldership. All Christian elders, whether theologically trained or not, must meet the scriptural requirements for elders.

• Some people feel that eldership is limited to males. Our personal position is that the scriptures are weighted toward male elders, but that they do not conclusively and specifically teach that women cannot be elders. In this we distinguish between “headship” in the home and eldership in the church. We feel that this is also influenced largely by the cultures in which we live.

• We are personally firm in seeing the scriptures as teaching that a church should have multiple elders. This saves us from “one man rule.” It also helps to cover each person’s “blind spots.”

• The major challenge for younger churches is finding people who are qualified as elders. We feel it is best to function under the covering of a parent church until such a time as proper elders have been developed. We also recognize that a church may ask “outside elders,” mature believers from other churches, to serve with their own elders. This can give a church a broader perspective and make up for a lack of local elders.

• The church has a responsibility to its elders.

They are worthy of honor. Double honor if they excel in preaching or teaching. 1 Tim 5:17

They cannot be accused (of sin) unless there are several witnesses. 1 Tim 5:19

The church is to pray for and respect its leaders. Heb. 13:17-18

The church is to submit to the leadership of its elders. Heb. 13:17

• We recognize that some churches have deacons who lead the church. They seem to have the responsibilities of Biblical elders, but do not have the formal title, and often may not meet the Biblical standards of elders.

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