Elder is a term used in the New Testament to describe a leadership role within the Christian Church. Elders, also known as overseers or bishops, are responsible for providing spiritual oversight, teaching, and shepherding the congregation. The role of elders is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments and is essential to the governance and health of the Church. From a conservative, Bible-believing Christian worldview, the office of elder is understood as a biblically mandated position that carries significant responsibility for guiding and protecting the flock of God.

Definition and Theological Significance of Elders

What Is an Elder?

In the New Testament, the term “elder” (presbyteros in Greek) is often used interchangeably with “overseer” (episkopos) and sometimes “pastor” (poimen), reflecting the various aspects of the leadership role within the Church. Elders are appointed to lead, teach, and shepherd the local congregation, ensuring that the church remains faithful to the teachings of Scripture and effectively ministers to the needs of its members.

• Key Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Spiritual Oversight: Elders are charged with overseeing the spiritual well-being of the congregation, ensuring that biblical doctrine is taught and upheld.
  • Teaching and Preaching: Elders are often responsible for teaching and preaching the Word of God, providing sound instruction in Christian doctrine and practice.
  • Shepherding: Elders are called to shepherd the flock, offering pastoral care, guidance, and discipline as needed to help members grow in their faith.

Theological Significance of Elders

The role of elders is central to the biblical model of church leadership and governance, reflecting the need for godly and mature leaders to guide the community of believers.

1. Biblical Governance:
   • The appointment of elders is part of the biblical model of church governance, where a plurality of elders provides balanced and accountable leadership for the congregation.
   • Acts 14:23: “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” This verse highlights the practice of appointing elders in the early Church as a means of ensuring proper governance.
2. Guardians of Doctrine:
   • Elders are tasked with guarding the doctrine of the Church, protecting the congregation from false teaching and ensuring that the truth of the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.
   • Titus 1:9: “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” This verse emphasizes the elder’s role in upholding sound doctrine and refuting error.
3. Pastoral Care and Discipline:
   • Elders are also responsible for providing pastoral care to the congregation, which includes offering counsel, prayer, and support, as well as exercising church discipline when necessary.
   • James 5:14: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” This passage illustrates the pastoral role of elders in caring for the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation.

Biblical Foundations of Eldership

Elders in the Old Testament

The concept of elders as leaders within the community has its roots in the Old Testament, where elders were respected leaders and decision-makers within the Israelite community.

• Elders of Israel:
  • In the Old Testament, elders were often appointed to lead and represent the people in matters of governance, justice, and worship. They were respected for their wisdom, experience, and ability to guide the community.
  • Exodus 18:21-22: “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times.” This passage describes the appointment of leaders, including elders, to help govern and judge the people.
• Elders and the Covenant Community:
  • Elders played a key role in the life of the covenant community, particularly in making decisions that affected the entire nation and in ensuring that the people remained faithful to God’s covenant.
  • Deuteronomy 19:12: “The elders of his town shall send for him, bring him back from the city, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.” This verse shows the authority of the elders in matters of justice and the application of the law.

Elders in the New Testament

The New Testament continues the tradition of appointing elders as leaders within the Church, with a particular emphasis on their role in teaching, shepherding, and maintaining doctrinal purity.

• Apostolic Practice:
  • The apostles appointed elders in the early Christian communities to ensure that each church had qualified leaders who could provide spiritual oversight and guide the congregation.
  • Acts 20:17-18, 28: “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them… ‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.'” This passage highlights Paul’s instruction to the elders, emphasizing their role as overseers and shepherds of the church.
• Qualifications for Elders:
  • The New Testament provides specific qualifications for those who would serve as elders, emphasizing the importance of godly character, sound doctrine, and the ability to teach.
  • 1 Timothy 3:1-7: “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.” This passage outlines the qualifications for elders, emphasizing the importance of character and the ability to lead and teach.
• Plurality of Elders:
  • The New Testament often presents a model of church leadership that includes a plurality of elders, rather than a single elder or pastor, providing a balanced and accountable form of governance.
  • Philippians 1:1: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.” This greeting indicates the presence of multiple overseers (elders) in the church at Philippi, reflecting the New Testament pattern of shared leadership.

Theological and Practical Implications of Eldership

Spiritual Leadership and Authority

Elders are entrusted with significant spiritual authority and responsibility within the Church, serving as under-shepherds of Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

• Authority to Teach and Guide:
  • Elders are given the authority to teach the Word of God and guide the congregation in matters of faith and practice, ensuring that the Church remains faithful to biblical doctrine.
  • 1 Timothy 5:17: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” This verse highlights the importance of the elder’s role in preaching and teaching, as well as the respect and honor due to those who serve faithfully.
• Responsibility for Discipline:
  • Elders also bear the responsibility for exercising church discipline, protecting the congregation from false teaching and immoral behavior, and restoring those who have strayed.
  • Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” This passage outlines the process of church discipline, in which elders often play a key role.

The Priesthood of All Believers

While elders hold a specific office within the Church, the New Testament also teaches the priesthood of all believers, where all Christians have direct access to God and are called to minister to one another.

• Balancing Authority and Servanthood:
  • Elders are called to exercise their authority with humility and a servant’s heart, recognizing that their role is to serve the flock and not to lord it over them.
  • 1 Peter 5:1-3: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” This passage emphasizes the servant leadership that elders are called to embody.

Challenges and Responsibilities

The role of elder carries significant challenges and responsibilities, requiring a deep commitment to spiritual growth, doctrinal soundness, and the well-being of the congregation.

• Spiritual Accountability:
  • Elders are held to a high standard of accountability before God for their leadership and care of the Church, knowing that they will be judged for how they have shepherded the flock.
  • Hebrews 13:17: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” This verse highlights the accountability of leaders, including elders, who will give an account to God for their stewardship.
• The Need for Ongoing Training and Support:
  • Given the challenges of the role, elders need ongoing training, support, and encouragement from the wider Church community to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
  • 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” This verse encourages leaders to pursue continued growth in their understanding and application of Scripture.

Conclusion

From a conservative, Bible-believing Christian worldview, Elders are essential to the biblical model of church leadership and governance. Elders are called to provide spiritual oversight, teach sound doctrine, and shepherd the congregation, ensuring that the Church remains faithful to the teachings of Scripture and effectively ministers to its members.

Biblically, the role of elder is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where elders serve as leaders, decision-makers, and spiritual guides for the community. In the New Testament, the office of elder is clearly defined, with specific qualifications and responsibilities outlined for those who would serve in this capacity.

Theologically, the role of elder emphasizes the importance of godly leadership, the protection of sound doctrine, and the care of the Church. Practically, elders are called to balance their authority with a servant’s heart, recognizing their accountability to God and their responsibility to the congregation.

In conclusion, the role of elder is vital to the health and growth of the Church, providing the leadership and guidance necessary to equip the saints for ministry and to advance the mission of the gospel. As such, the appointment and support of qualified elders should be a priority for every local church, ensuring that the flock of God is well cared for and faithfully led.