New Testament Eldership In the overall framework of Church leadership, the governmental ministries operate within the context of Church eldership. In the New Testament, Church government is entrusted to the eldership, which includes the five-fold governmental ministries of Ephesians 4:11-12. Governmental ministries operate within the support, strengthening and accountability of the eldership. Elders are called and recognized by character qualifications as well as ministry and functional duties. True biblical eldership, therefore, is not only what a person is, but what a person does.
Important Eldership Terms
Elder Greek: “Presbuteros”
The eldest, or a person advanced in life, or senior. Of rank or position of responsibility, either among the Gentiles or in the Jewish nation. In the Church, the same word applies to those who are appointed to exercise spiritual oversight and care for a local church.
Bishop Greek: “Episkopee”
Office of oversight, for the purpose of watching over and inspecting. As a ministry office, a “bishop” is one of the governmental ministries.
Deacon Greek: “Diaconia”
A servant, one who serves another in any task or job; to support, to minister, to wait upon. All Christians function as deacons, though not all hold an office as such.
Scriptures Concerning Eldership
The book of Acts makes eighteen references to elders, ten relating directly to the ministry of an elder in the New Testament Church. Other writers also refer to eldership.
“They … sent (a gift) to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:30).
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23).
“They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question” (Acts 15:2).
“Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas … and they wrote letters by them after this manner: ‘The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings …’” (Acts 15:22, 23).
“And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” (Acts 16:4).
“And from Miletus (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church” (Acts 20:17).
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers” (Acts 20:28).
“And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present” (Acts 21:18).
“Paul … to all the saints in Christ Jesus … with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1).
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” This passage, in I Timothy 3:1-7, goes on to establish the behavior and character qualifications for an overseer, then verses 8-13 do the same for a deacon. Titus 1:6-9 also establishes qualifications for an elder. “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses” (I Timothy 5:19).
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city” (Titus 1:5).
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (I Peter 2:25).
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder” (I Peter 5:1).
Appointing of Elders Operation of The Eldership
Ordination and Appointment of Elders. In the first century Church, elders were not appointed on the basis of their executive abilities, their career or social success, or their public relations skills. They were chosen and appointed because of their spiritual qualifications.
In establishing elders, the act of appointment precedes the act of ordination. Appointment entails the institutional elements of naming a person to an office: to name or select a person for a position; to set a time and place for an act or meeting of appointment; to outfit, equip or furnish a person for a set of prescribed duties. In some cases, a probationary or trial period may pass between appointment and full ordination. The New Testament in many cases describes the trying and proving of a servants ministry. The act of ordination involves ordering, establishing and investing with authority. This act confirms what the Spirit has already made obvious in a person’s life—that he or she is called and gifted to perform certain ministry functions.
Scriptural Ministry Functions of Eldership
All elders are to rule in the local church. All are called to teach. Christ gives some elders to the Church to be teachers and preachers of the Word to a degree which requires extra time, skill, and effort on their part. These, especially, are worthy of “double honor” (I Timothy 5:17). Some elders provide their own financial support and still make adequate time to function as elders; these are sometimes called “lay” elders. A church staff elder is released to give his time to eldering on a full-time basis.
In this study on Church eldership, we have intentionally excluded certain issues in eldership where the Bible does not develop a complete definition. Two such undeveloped areas in the ministry of eldership and Church structures are: co-equality of eldership, and the relationship of eldership to the senior elder, or senior pastor. We believe God has allowed a diversity of views and successful church structures to develop in the New Testament Church. The Bible clearly requires churches to have elders. Beyond that, it does not define how many elders a church should have, who should be the senior elder, and whether calling as one of the five-fold Ephesians 4:11 governmental ministries should be a requirement for all elders. Let each church be wise and sensitive to God in this area of leadership.
Ministry Function of Elders
Overseer, Guardian: Greek Episkopos. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 2:25
Ruler: Greek Proistemi. To stand before, to preside, to practice. Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 3:4,5,12, and 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Titus 3:8,14. The New Testament defines no higher earthly authority than the elders of a local assembly. Elders are to glorify Christ by making decisions based on sound biblical principles of love and equity.
Feeder: Greek Poimano. To tend as a shepherd. Acts 20:28; John 21:16; Jude 12
Prayer Warrior: To make powerful intercessions and spiritual warfare for special needs in the church. James 5:15-16; Revelation 5:8 and 8:3,4.
Watchman: Greek Gregoreo. The keep awake spiritually. Acts 20:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:6,10; Luke 12:37, 39; Ezekiel 3:17-21.
Student of the Word: To maintain correct doctrine. 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:17
Teacher/ Defender of the Word: Such an elder is apt to teach 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:7 and 1:9
Additional function and traits:
- Compassionate
- Example to Believers
- Leader
- Sacrificial Servant
- Wise Counselor
- Hard Worker
- Bearer of Burdens
- Loyal Team Man
- Encourager of the Brethren (Barnabas)
- Sharer of the Vision
- Transparent
- Submissive
- Liberal Giver
- Positive in Faith
- Disciplined
- Keeper of Unity
- Worshipper
- Protector of the Flock
- Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Properly Motivate