I. The Role and Function of: The Elders

Question: Where do you think the church got the idea for elder leadership?

    A. Historical Perspective
            -Elders were taken over into the early church organization from the synagogue (cf. Acts 11:30).

Question: How many elders were there over Israel...one..two...more?

   B.  Definition
         -The Greek word for elder (presbuvtero") emphasizes the maturity of those who are to lead to    church.  An elder must be one who has reached a point of growth in character and life so that    he is able to lead others toward maturity through teaching, guidance, and example.

         -The original word for overseer (episkopo) (sometimes translated bishop), draws attention to    the  responsibility of watching over the believers so that they would be protected from the    enemy and kept on course as they seek to walk with God.

Question: According to Scripture, are Elders and Bishops/Overseers the same position?

         -Elders (also translated presbyters) and bishops (also translated "overseers") were apparently synonymous terms.

         -Some people like to make a distinction between elders and overseers but both Titus and  I Peter clearly show that they are one and the same. In Titus 1:5 Paul tells Titus to "...appoint elders in every city..." and then in verse 7 he  continues, "For a bishop  must be blameless..."  He uses the two  terms as synonyms in     the passage obviously believing that  they were the same ministry of church leadership. Peter does the same thing.  In I Peter 5:1 he  says, "The elders who are among  you I     exhort..." and then in verse 2 he continues, "Shepherd the  flock of God which is among     you, serving as overseers..."

Question: Are Elders and Pastors the same thing?

         -Elder and pastor are not the same thing in the NT.
         -"Elder" refers to the office one holds by virtue of appointment or election; "pastor" is a  spiritual gift that one is given by the Holy Spirit (cf. Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:7-11).

   C. Biblical Usage

Question: To your knowledge, is the word Elder used in a singular or plural sense in the NT?

        -In his Epistles Paul generally mentions elders in the plural (Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5) Let's carefully    examine the passages which teach that a group of elders is to lead the local church.

The Book of Acts
         -The original church in Jerusalem was led at first by the twelve apostles who functioned as the elders of that church.  It is obvious in many references in the first few chapters of Acts that    the  apostles as a plural body were leading the church in Jerusalem.

         -In chapter 14 of Acts Paul choose elders in the church he has established.  He had traveled throughout the region establishing churches and on his return trip he appointed elders in each of   the churches (v.23).

          -The apostles obviously took this action very seriously because they prayed with  fasting  and commended the newly appointed elders to the Lord. Again we should take notice that a plural leadership was appointed and there was still  no mention in any of the affairs of the early church of a one-person mode of leadership.

         -Acts chapter 15 tells the story of the first leadership conference.  When Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem concerning the question of how to deal with the Gentile converts, we are    told that they came to the apostles and elders of the church (15:2,4).

         -On his third missionary journey the apostle Paul passed though the city of Miletus (Acts 20:17).  From there he sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus, a neighboring city.  Notice he  summons the elders, not a single pastor because the elders were considered the leaders of the  church.

 Note the following texts (where either elder or bishop is used):
   •Acts 11:30--elders at the church of Antioch
   •Acts 14:23--Paul and Barnabas appoint "elders in every church"
   •Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4--elders at the church in Jerusalem
   •Acts 20:17, 28--elders/bishops at the church of Ephesus (v. 17--"elders of the church")
   •Acts 21:18--elders at the church in Jerusalem
   •Phil 1:1--the church at Philippi has bishops and deacons
   •1 Tim 5:17--elders at the church of Ephesus
   •Titus 1:5--Titus is to appoint elders in every town
   •Jas 5:14--"the elders of the church"
   •1 Pet 5:1-2--"the elders among you"

Question: Are churches to have one or more elders in them?

         In every one of these texts the plain implication is that each church had several elders.

    D. Function/Role
         -The Old Testament elders were always seen as a council; they were not mentioned as having authority individually. This same pattern is followed in the New Testament. In every instance    where elders are mentioned in connection with the church, there are plural elders in a singular church. This fact establishes the apostolic pattern of plural leadership for individual churches and also strongly implies that the authority and function of elders were restricted to a particular local church.
        -Elders are to be shepherds and guardians of the flock. Their function covers a broad range from leading/ruling to ministering to the sick.

    Leading/Ruling:

Question: How do Elders lead/rule the church?

 -Elders judged in matters of faith and practice (Acts 15:1–6).
 -Also "elders who rule well" were to be recognized by the assembly (1 Tim. 5:17).
 -The elders should guide the church  through  controversy and normal growth problems by offering sound biblical judgment.
 -The congregation is to obey those who rule them, because the rulers must give account for their souls (Heb. 13:17).
 -Thus the elders are responsible for taking an active part in judging matters  that affect  the lives of the flock.
 -They must decide for the good of the congregation in matters of doctrine, personal conflicts, and moral and ethical dilemmas,
   as well as direct the overall plans and programs of the church.

    Caring.

Question: How do Elders care/love the church?

  -Paul told the Ephesian elders to guard their own lives, that is, to protect their testimonies  and moral conduct, and to care for
   the flock among whom they were placed by the  Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28).
 -The sick of a church were to call on the elders of that church for ministry, both physical and  spiritual (James 5:14).
   The purpose in summoning the elders is to involve them as spiritual leaders in the physical needs of the flock.
   They are to deal with any potential sin and pray with the sick.
 -Peter  exhorted the elders to shepherd (feed, protect, and lead) the flock (1 Pet. 5:1–3), which  also shows personal
   involvement and concern.

    Teaching:

Question: How do Elders teach/proclaim the church?

 -Some elders had special responsibility for preaching or teaching (1 Tim. 5:17). All elders  are to be "able to teach", which
  probably refers to instructing individuals in  doctrine, but 5:17 seems to imply a more formal type of public exhortation not
  expected of all the elders.
 -A strong statement related to this function of the elders is found in Titus 1:9–11. Paul expected them to "hold fast" the Word
  of truth, that is, defend the truth, not compromising the Scriptures. This involves exhorting believers through sound doctrinal
  teaching or counseling, as  well as refuting error.

    E. Summary
 -Elders are a body of godly men, selected from among the mature Christian men of a local assembly of believers. They must be willing to accept the responsibility, being aware that the    Holy Spirit has made them overseers of the flock (Acts 20:28).

 -Each elder must meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. His decisions, actions, and example must always be for the welfare of the people and not for his own selfish    ends.

 -He must be willing to cooperate with the pastor-teacher and other elders, not being self-willed  Titus 1:7).

 -An elder must be a serious, honest student of God's Word, able and willing to instruct, reprove, encourage, and protect God's people.

 -The elders as a group must function in unity, offering the assembly singleminded leadership.

-They must actively watch over and guide the flock, making sure that heresy, immorality,  divisions, or neglect are not creeping into the assembly.

 -The church is to recognize their immense responsibilities and give them proper respect for the work they do
(1 Thess. 5:12–13).

 -Accusations against an elder must have adequate support before they are accepted. This will  help protect them from unjust slander (1 Tim. 5:19).

Primary Functions of Elders
Adapted from  Robert D. Dale in 'The Leading Edge'

            These functions permeate the leader as a state of being because they are an ongoing pattern in present and future ministry rather than static episodes or isolated actions.

PROCLAIMING the Whole Gospel

Study, preach, teach and witness to the Bible's teaching with urgency.  (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15;  2 Tim. 4:2-5)
Confront heresy with strong teaching and personal faith. (1 Tim. 1:3-20; Titus 1:5-16)
Never be selective when you pray for or witness to God's creatures. (1 Tim. 2:1-8)
Let your life and faith be a public/private example. (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:22; Titus 1:6-9)

LEADING the Whole Church

Practice the Golden Rule in all relationship (1 Tim. 5:1-2)
Meet destructive attitudes with positive actions. (2 Tim. 2:23-26; 1 Tim. 4:7-8)
Select godly, growing leaders. (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Titus 2:1-3:8)
Respect the service of women in the church. (1 Tim. 2:9-15; 3:11; 5:9-15; Titus 2:3-5)
Aid persons to become good stewards of their lives, work and possessions. (1 Tim. 6:1-19)
Maintain general oversight of the church (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28-30)

CARING for the Whole  Person

Give helping care to the bereaved (1 Tim. 5:3-5)
Supply mutual support for personal needs. (1 Tim. 5:3-5, 16)
Encourage fellow Elders. (1 Tim. 5:17-25)
Guide troublemakers toward truth and greedy persons toward stewardship. (1 Tim. 6:3-21; Titus 3:9-11)
Love/minister to people from the gifts God has given to you. (1 Tim. 4:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:6-7, 14,21)
Pray for and visit the sick (James 5:17)