NEW LIFE IS AN ELDER LED CHURCH

Many people’s background is often a CONGREGATIONAL lead church. The New Testament portrays the congregation of local church members as the final court of appeal in circumstances concerning church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8) and in the election of church officers (Acts 6:3-5). Many of the letters of the New Testament were written to churches as a whole for the confrontation of certain issues, thus, by implication, the weight of responsibility falls on the collection of members at large. At the same time, churches are clearly commanded in Hebrews 13:17, “obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” This Scripture points to an organizational structure in which church members follow the leading of certain leadership. Who is that leadership? Elders!

What does that mean? The congregation does vote to approve the annual budget, whenever there are major purchases like acquiring land or a building, for a new Lead Pastor, and to add more Elders. All other decisions are Elder directed. Staff and ministry directors make day-to-day decisions, but we depend upon our Elders to oversee direction and bigger decisions.

 

WHY WE ARE ELDER LED?

The New Testament mentions Elder A LOT! Elder is not a term that signifies a particular physical age (1 Timothy 4:11-16), rather it conveys a certain spiritual maturity. All authority in the church comes from the resurrected Jesus Christ and is exercised on his behalf. According to the Scriptures, Jesus is the “Chief Shepherd” of God’s church (1 Peter 5:1-5), but he has invested the authority and responsibility of church leadership to “under-shepherds”. These under-shepherds are referred to in the scriptures with three interchangeable words: elder, pastor, and overseer.

 

WHO ARE ELDERS?

Elders/Pastors/Overseers must be men who meet the Biblical qualifications as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. While no man is perfect, the descriptions found in these two passages of Scripture should consistently characterize any potential elder.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer^[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1Timothy 3:1-7)

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,^[a] and his children are believers^[b] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. ⁷ For an overseer,^[c] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound^[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9)

 

WHAT DO ELDERS DO?

The responsibility of an elder is first and foremost to devote himself to the ministries of prayer and teaching the Word of God as portrayed in the pattern of the apostles in Acts 6:1-7. The major qualification that differentiates the office of elder from the office of deacon is the requirement that an elder must be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2; 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:9; 2:1).  This involves not only the skills to stand and lecture , but further a depth of character and knowledge that allows them something to be passed on to others! This qualification is in place because elders are primarily responsible for the doctrinal integrity of the church. They lead the church in Biblical teaching on various platforms and through various means including corporate preaching, small group leading, and discipleship of individuals. They hold one another accountable in matters of doctrinal integrity and they protect the church’s membership from false teaching. Elders give directional guidance for the oversight and missional direction of the church. Elders are also responsible for the ministry of shepherding. They pay close attention to themselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. They care for God’s church (Acts 20:7-32). 

 

PLURALITY

A plurality of elders appears to be the norm for congregations addressed in the New Testament. (Acts 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17; 1 Peter 5:1; James 5:14) Both Timothy and Titus were instructed to appoint multiple elders in each local church. (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-9) Multiple elders leading a congregation together is both Biblical and practical. A plurality of pastors, both paid and volunteer, share the load of shepherding, teaching, and overseeing.

 

WHAT ABOUT THE LEAD PASTOR?

The Lead Pastor is both the head of the Elder team AND answerable to the Elders. One man may be labeled as the Lead Pastor but he functions as a chief among equals. He may have more responsibility, but he does not wield more authority than his fellow Elders.

 

HOW DOES ONE BECOME AN ELDER?

After prayer and discussion, the current Elders decide when and who to ask to join their Elder team? They will be asked to measure themselves against the Biblical qualifications and then may step forward to be interviewed. Finally, the church congregation will vote to approve each man who is presented.

 

* Great thanks to Brandon Langley’s article, “What is Elder-Led Church?” for much of the content of this document.