Elders – church leaders

How Jesus leads his Church

The Church is called the body of Christ where Christ is the head - he is the one who decides and who has sovereign authority (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:24). It is not our Church. It is God’s Church that he will lead in his own way (1.Tim. 3:15, 1.Cor.12:18,24). In the New Testament we see that the apostle appoints leaders in the different local churches which he supervises (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5-9). These leaders are called ‘elders’ because of their experience and maturity. The expression, in this connection, has not much to do with age but with wisdom (1.Tim. 3:1-7, Tit.1:5-9).

The elders are also called ‘overseer’ and ‘shepherd’ thereby underlining their responsibility to care for people. (Acts 20:28)

The elders are appointed by the apostle and represent his supervision of the church according to the task he has from the Lord. The elders work together with the apostle and those he sends to the church to lead the church onwards to maturity.

How elders - leaders - are chosen and appointed

It is God who, by the Holy Spirit, calls and equips men to be elders:

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. (Acts 20:28)

When elders are chosen God is using the apostles and the other existing elders or leaders in appointing them. The elders must be approved by the apostle or by apostolic representatives and naturally be accepted by the people that they are to lead:

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. (Acts 14:23)

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. (Tit.1:5)

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. (1.Thess.5:12)

Human qualifications to be an elder have to do with experience and maturity. Character, disposition and spiritual insight are also important elements when elders are to be chosen. 1. Tim. 3:1-9 and Tit. 1:5-9 show us which characteristics an elder should have.

An elder must be:

the husband of but one wife

above reproach

temperate

self controlled

respectable

hospitable

able to teach

not given to drunkenness

not violent

gentle

not quarrelsome

not a lover of money

one who manages his own family well

one whose children show respect and obedience

not newly converted

one who cares for God’s church

one who has a good reputation with outsiders

not overbearing

not quick-tempered

not pursuing dishonest gain

upright

holy

disciplined

one who loves what is good

one who keeps the apostles’ teaching

one who can encourage others by sound doctrine

one who can refute the assertions of those who oppose it

When an elder is chosen according to these directions, he is appointed with prayer and fasting, with the laying on of hands and words of prophecy by the overseers and leaders of the church.

The responsibilities of the elder

To give spiritual food which nourishes faith and teaches people right living

The elder must, therefore, be able to understand people and their situations in order to give them God’s word and help them to continue on their way. (John 21:15-17; Col.1:28-29; Acts 20:31; 1.Thess. 5:12)

Care for and supervise people

They must be an example for the flock in speaking God’s word, living according to God’s word and having a faith that can be imitated. (Heb.13:7; 1.Pet.5:1-3) The people will only follow as long as they see Jesus in their leaders.

They must know their people well and build friendships with them.

(John 10:14; 15:14-15; Prov. 27:23)

They must be full of compassion and motivated by Jesus’ love.

(Matt.9:35-38; Heb.5:2; John 21:15-17)

They must be servants who want to help and to bless. (John 12:17; Matt.20:26-28, 1 Cor. 16:15)

Direct and lead

They stand accountable for how they have lead people. They are called to be managers who rule well in God’s house. Under good leadership people will feel safe and refreshed; they will find protection and receive help to get their lives in order. (1 Tim. 5:17; 3:4,12; Heb. 13:7,17,24; Isa. 32:1-4)

They should help people to develop and to lead them on to full maturity in Christ. (Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 4:12-13)

Exercise:

Who are your elders?

What relationship do you have with your elders?

In what way have they been able to guide and help you in your spiritual life?

Continue to memorise Bible verses and add this one:

You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. (Eph. 2:20)