Why Elder Rule? (Part 1)
November 12th, 2007
The following is adapted from the Grace Church Distinctive on Biblical Eldership.
Biblically, the focal point of all church leadership is the elder. An elder is one of a plurality of biblically qualified men who jointly shepherd and oversee a local body of believers. The word translated “elder” is used nearly twenty times in Acts and the epistles in reference to this unique group of leaders who have responsibility for overseeing the people of God.
The Office of Elder
As numerous passages in the New Testament indicate, the words “elder” (presbuteros), “overseer” (episkopos), and “pastor” (poimen) all refer to the same office. In other words, overseers and pastors are not distinct from elders; the terms are simply different ways of identifying the same people. The qualifications for an overseer (episkopos) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and those for an elder (presbuteros) in Titus 1:6-9 are unmistakably parallel. In fact, in Titus 1, Paul uses both terms to refer to the same man (presbuteros in v. 5 and episkopos in v. 7).
All three terms are used interchangeably in Acts 20. In verse 17, Paul assembles all the elders (presbuteros) of the church of Ephesus to give them his farewell message. In verse 28 he says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [episkopos], to shepherd [poimaino] the church of God.” First Peter 5:1-2 brings all three terms together as well. Peter writes, “Therefore, I exhort the elders [presbuteros] among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd [poimaino] the flock of God among you, exercising oversight [episkopeo] not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God.” The different terms, then, indicate various features of ministry, not varying levels of authority or separate offices, as some churches espouse.
A Plurality of Elders
The consistent pattern throughout the New Testament is that each local body of believers is shepherded by a plurality of God-ordained elders. Simply stated, this is the only pattern for church leadership given in the New Testament. Nowhere in Scripture does one find a local assembly ruled by majority opinion or by a single pastor.
The Apostle Paul left Titus in Crete and instructed him to “appoint elders in every city” (Titus 1:5). James instructed his readers to “call for the elders of the church” to pray for those who are sick (James 5:14). When Paul and Barnabas were in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, they “appointed elders for them in every church” (Acts 14:23). In Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, the apostle referred to “the elders who rule well” at the church at Ephesus (1 Tim. 5:17; see also Acts 20:17, where Paul addresses “the elders of the church” at Ephesus). The book of Acts indicates that there were “elders” at the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 4; 21:18).
Again and again, reference is made to a plurality of elders in each of the various churches. In fact, every place in the New Testament where the term presbuteros (“elder”) is used it is plural, except where the apostle John uses it of himself in 2 and 3 John and where Peter uses it of himself in 1 Peter 5:1. Nowhere in the New Testament is there a reference to a one-pastor congregation. It may be that each elder in the city had an individual group in which he had specific oversight. But the church was seen as one church, and decisions were made by a collective process and in reference to the whole, not the individual parts.
In other passages, reference is made to a plurality of elders even though the word presbuteros itself is not used. In the opening greeting of his epistle to the Philippians, Paul refers to the “overseers [plural of episkopos] and deacons” at the church of Philippi (Phil. 1:2). In Acts 20:28, Paul warned the elders of the church of Ephesus, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which God has made you overseers [plural of episkopos]” (Acts 20:28). The writer of Hebrews called his readers to obey and submit to the “leaders” who kept watch over their souls (Heb. 13:17). Paul exhorted his Thessalonian readers to “appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction” (1 Thess. 5:12)—a clear reference to the overseers in the Thessalonian assembly.
Much can be said for the benefits of leadership made up of a plurality of godly men. Their combined counsel and wisdom helps assure that decisions are not self-willed or self-serving to a single individual (cf. Prov. 11:14). If there is division among the elders in making decisions, all the elders should study, pray, and seek the will of God together until consensus is achieved. In this way, the unity and harmony that the Lord desires for the church will begin with those individuals he has appointed to shepherd His flock.
(To Be Completed Tomorrow)
We have started a church (Jan. 1st 2007) with 4 families (now 7) with provisional leadership since we did not want to lay hands on anyone prematurely. We believe as you portrayed here in this article that we should be lead by a plurality of elders and not one of them is to be “head elder”.
Also, what are your thoughts on this “home church” movement I see around here (Kansas)? Are you aware of this movement? I have some problems with it since you are so limited to the size of the church. Maybe this could be a separate article.
Thank you,
Jeff
Sorry, I meant to ask you about this idea of haveing provisional leadership until we believe someone is qualified to be an elder. What are your thoughts?
Jeff,
For accountability with money, for accountability on teaching/doctrine, and for wisdom on the direction of the church, I strongly suggest that some sort of oversight be established in your church. If there are only a few men, it is likely that they are all acting in this role already. If none of them (or only one of them) is qualified to be an elder, I would really look at an outside body to help you get established. Perhaps a church that some of you left (hopefully you left on good terms!). The idea is that you need leaders to cast vision, to be accountable, and to be above reproach. If there is an elder or pastor in your local area who is more familiar with your situation than you can describe here, I’d ask him for help in getting established.
Thanks,
Jesse
“The different terms, then, indicate various features of ministry, not varying levels of authority or separate offices, as some churches espouse.”
Amen.
I was an elder in a local EFCA church, and we all complimented one another pretty much.
Rulers, (Heb. 13:7), shepherds, teachers, evangelists, and other gifts as well. We had times of disagreements, but we were all sold out for the Gospel, and for Christ, and so we would meet at the Cross, and wait on the Holy Spirit to fill us with His wisdom. He was faithful, if we were patient.
When we were impatient, then we had problems. It’s tough to wait on the Lord in this age. The flesh is weak, and yet the spirit is willing.
My exhortation for all elders is to be patient. And above all, love one another, with a deep genuine love, the love Christ calls us to. If this love is lacking, then beware. Strengthem this love most of all. Also elders need to be able to teach the Word. Of course not ever elder will be a scholar, but they should have their Bibles in hand more than not. Without the sword of the Spirit to wield for the protection and comfort of the sheep, the sheep will be scattered for sure.
Jesse,
I suppose this is not the forum for going into a lot of details but I thank you for your biblical advice. Pray for us as we move foreword. We only want His direction, not ours.
Jeff
Amen, great treatment on this subject, GCC. I think it reveals your approach of relying on the Scriptures as sufficient in ordering how we think about and practice church life. Much of the modern leadership models we see today have evolved away from the Scriptural pattern due to politics, pragmatism, etc. It is refreshing to read this teaching calling us back to the Lord’s norm.
Jeff, not to hijack this very important thread, but I wanted to also offer some thoughts on your comment about the home church movement (and it does intersect with the topic of elder leadership). Like most “movements”, this one in my view covers a broad spectrum of ideas and practices, some healthy and some very unhealthy. First, some unhealthy aspects I’ve observed: (1) SOME home churchers exude a spirit of pride and condescension, looking down on their “institutional church” brethren as unenlightened or evil; (2) reacting against perceived or real clergy abuse in their past, SOME home churchers take a very casual view of leadership or dispense with it altogether, ignoring the Bible’s teaching on elders; (3) SOME home churchers are so laissez-faire about any kind of “form” or regulation that they ignore clear Biblical patterns and instructions about church life, preferring their own serendipitous whims.
Now with all that being said, I think there is much to commend within this movement: (1) Getting back to the Bible: meeting in believers’ homes is a consistent NT pattern, established by the apostles, and not just because of persecution. Not that the structure’s architecture is the priority issue, but a home’s familial setting and atmosphere is much more conducive to practicing all the one anothers enjoined in the NT. Our gathering is for the purpose of mutually edifying and encouraging one another in the Lord. The NT doesn’t mention “having a service” where only 1 or 2 people run the whole show; (2) Some home churchers actually do follow the Bible in examining and recognizing qualified men as elders to lead the church. They feed and protect the flock. (3) The home church’s necessarily smaller size ensures that no one can hide. The relationships tend to be closer, and the elders can better know the people they lead. Of course, this closeness also tends to bring issues into the open sooner and they have to be dealt with lovingly and Biblically.
Jeff, the one specific concern you mention (”you are so limited to the size of the church”) - - are you talking about the difficulty of finding enough qualified men to be elders? If so, that is a valid concern, but that was overcome in the NT, and it can be overcome now. Jesse’s comments about getting an existing elder/pastor from another church to help in a provisional way is one good idea - - but his help needs to include developing some of the men to the point where they are mature enough and are qualified to lead.
tom
Tom, Thank you so much for the balanced counsel. When I mentioned the size problem of a home church I was thinking that my home could only hold 4 or 5 families (I have 10 children and my family is not the largest). This would severely limit the representation of the spiritual gifts to the point of possibly running the risk of becoming out of balance. That was my thought. I believe we have at least one who is qualified and desires to be an elder.
Praying,
Jeff
Tom, Also, I have observed all of the attitudes you have listed in almost all of those whom I know in the home church movement.
Let us hold fast to that which is good!!!
Jeff
Interesting article! Different view though. Timothy was a single pastor (Bishop) of a church. The word elder is the same word as Bishop. Everyone who promotes the elder rule concept never uses biblical context. Titus 1:5 is used “ordain Elders in every city”. But no one reads the next 2 verse These elders are Bishop (s) Singular. Pastor, Bishop and Elder is the same office. Cheers Christopher