Elders - Who are they? Who needs them? What do they do?
This should be a rousing and mutually beneficial discussion, don't you think?
By way of conversation starters... how about these?
WHAT ELDERS ARE & DO:
Acts 20:17-31
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. …
28 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. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Acts 14:23
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.
1 Peter 5:1-4
5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Tim 5:17-20
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching *. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
1 Tim 4:14
14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
James 5:14
14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Eph 4:11
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors* and teachers,
* NT:4166
poimen (poy-mane'); of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):
Acts 11:27-30
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 21:17-19
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Titus 1:5-9
5 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. 6 An elder must be
• blameless,
• the husband of but one wife,
• a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be
• blameless-not overbearing,
• not quick-tempered,
• not given to drunkenness,
• not violent,
• not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be
• hospitable,
• one who loves what is good,
• who is self-controlled,
• upright,
• holy and
• disciplined.
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.
1 Tim 3:1-13
3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be
• above reproach,
• the husband of but one wife,
• temperate,
• self-controlled,
• respectable,
• hospitable,
• able to teach, see endnote 1
• 3 not given to drunkenness,
• not violent but gentle,
• not quarrelsome,
• not a lover of money.
• 4 He must manage his own family well and
• see that his children obey him with proper respect.
5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8 Deacons,
likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
By way of conversation starters... how about these?
WHAT ELDERS ARE & DO:
Acts 20:17-31
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. …
28 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. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Acts 14:23
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.
1 Peter 5:1-4
5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Tim 5:17-20
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching *. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
1 Tim 4:14
14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
James 5:14
14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Eph 4:11
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors* and teachers,
* NT:4166
poimen (poy-mane'); of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):
Acts 11:27-30
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 21:17-19
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Titus 1:5-9
5 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. 6 An elder must be
• blameless,
• the husband of but one wife,
• a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be
• blameless-not overbearing,
• not quick-tempered,
• not given to drunkenness,
• not violent,
• not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be
• hospitable,
• one who loves what is good,
• who is self-controlled,
• upright,
• holy and
• disciplined.
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.
1 Tim 3:1-13
3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be
• above reproach,
• the husband of but one wife,
• temperate,
• self-controlled,
• respectable,
• hospitable,
• able to teach, see endnote 1
• 3 not given to drunkenness,
• not violent but gentle,
• not quarrelsome,
• not a lover of money.
• 4 He must manage his own family well and
• see that his children obey him with proper respect.
5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8 Deacons,
likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Tags: authority, elder, elders, leadership
Views: 76
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dena Brehm on -
I guess I see an elder and an overseer/bishop as two different functions. And then, deacons are another function (though there can be overlap).
BTW, in v. 11, "their wives" is really speaking about female deacons (see John Chrysostome for commentary) ... and in v. 12, the phrase in Greek is "faithful to spouse", and doesn't refer to gender.
Check out the footnotes in this version of the NT:
http://www.smithandstirling.com/media/The_Source_-_New_Testament_by...
Shalom, Dena
"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the
unquestioned answers."
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to
learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West
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Permalink Reply by Kriston Couchey on -
Acts 14:23
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.
There is one way to appoint elders. The Holy Spirit gives His approval of those fit to be elders. Paul and Barnabas did it with prayer and fasting, meaning they discerned the heart of the Lord and followed HIS direction and wisdom as to who was fit, the Lord has a way of showing us the shortcomings of those unfit, and this list of qualifications is a witness to those given authority to appoint elders as to HIS qualifications and why He choses some and not others. It NOT a checklist to put people under law.
Elders are watchmen, to protect the flock and give wisdom and direction to the immature until they mature and become "Elders" as well. It is God's will that we all grow up into the fullness of the stature of Christ, meaning we should all be teaching and elders at some point.
Elders can be apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, etc. but not all elders are of theses gifts. I saw a show on tv once with the elders of a native American tribe speaking wisdom to the young people of the tribe, they were not lording over them, but imparting wisdom, the Lord spoke to me that that is how His church should function, not the crazy CEO heirachal crap going on today. but simply those who have learned and are helping the others to learn and mature as well so they might impart wisdom to the next generation...and on and on...
Kriston
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Permalink Reply by Bill Benninghoff on -
I think that elders, bishops and deacons are leaders within the body of Christ. When Paul and Barnabas appointed these individuals, (Acts 14:23) I think they were simply recognizing a maturity and leadership gifting in certain individuals that was already apparent to all the believers in those fellowships. In any gathering of believers over time you can recognize who the real servant leaders are. They are not clamoring for the spotlight and they are not hungering for power and control. They are lovingly serving and caring for the people in the fellowship and rejoicing as those people grow in their giftings and ministry. Real servant leadership is a key quality of any leader in the Body of Christ.
The long list of qualifications for elders that Paul gives in 1 Timothy 3 reflects mature Christian character. This person is someone who has allowed the cross to work in their lives and the character of Jesus is clearly seen in them.
I think that "elder" and "bishop" in the New Testament are two terms describing the same individual in the church. I think the term "elder" speaks of their maturity while the term "bishop" speaks of their function "to watch over." They also have the function of caring for (shepherding) God's people. Peter writes in his first letter in chapter 5 about the responsibilities of elders. Here we see the three terms elder, shepherd and bishop (episkopos - to oversee) linked together:
"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4)
A parallel passage is Paul's exhortation to the elders of the church in Ephesus in Acts 20:28. Here again we see the three terms elder (the audience Paul was speaking to), shepherd (feed) and bishop (oversee) linked together:
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "
The terms "shepherd" and "bishop" can be used as verbs, while "elder" is a noun. So "to shepherd" and "to bishop" (oversee) are functions of a leader, while "elder" speaks of the character of the leader. Leadership is not to be controlling or hierarchical but it is to be by example, by serving and by persuasion. Hebrews 13:17 as I understand it in the Greek reads "allow yourselves to be persuaded by your leaders." So a leader is one who has earned the respect of those who listen to their counsel and follow the example of their lives.
So to summarize, I would say that an elder is a mature servant leader who feeds and watches over the people of God.
The word "deacon" simply means servant, and I think these are leaders who are also serving in the fellowship, taking on the responsibility of practical issues in the life of the church.
It is interesting to me that in Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas were recognizing elders in each church, but many years later, Paul was instructing Titus to only recognize elders at the regional level. (Titus 1:5-9). I wonder if that change came out of some lessons learned?
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Permalink Reply by Lisa J on -
Sounds like we're all on the same page on this subject (at least so far :)
Kriston said:
"I saw a show on tv once with the elders of a native American tribe speaking wisdom to the young people of the tribe, they were not lording over them, but imparting wisdom, the Lord spoke to me that that is how His church should function, not the crazy CEO heirachal crap going on today. but simply those who have learned and are helping the others to learn and mature as well so they might impart wisdom to the next generation...and on and on..."
Exactly!
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Permalink Reply by Stephen (steve) Cornell on -
In my opinion, elders should be more directional and not dictatorial. Genuine authority comes from what God is doing through you and you can facilitate without possession or anger if it's truly what God is doing and not about you. People will share God's Love with you when they see God in you. But if you are seeking fame and fortune, then that is not what eldership is about.
Steve C.
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Permalink Reply by Kriston Couchey on
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I'll add another question, Who appoints elders???
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Permalink Reply by Miguel on -
It is interesting to me that in 1 Timothy 3:1 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task,” uses the word “office” (episkopē) distinct from the normal use of “elder,” (episkopos). There seems to be an implication that apart from being an Elder, there is also an existing structure, namely the office itself.
This word (episcope) is used several other times in the New testament as well: Luke 19:44, Acts 1:20, and 1 Pet 2:12 where it is rendered either visitation or Bishoprick. In either case the root definition carries with it the idea of authority, management, or judgment.
Likewise in 1 Tim 3:8 there is a distinction from the word Deacon (Diakonos) and the office of a Deacon (diakoneo) in 3:10. Again, this implies an office or structure that was already in place during the writing. To be fair, there are 32 other uses of this word in the New Testament where it is rendered either, “minister,” “ministered,” “serve,” “administration,” and “office of a Deacon.” The implications of those passages do not suggest authority per se, but ministry on an equal level. I can not in good conscience say that a deacon has any authority over anyone else in the body other than the natural leadership that is grown from following Jesus words “Mar 10:43 But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Being great or noticeable is derived from service alone.
These ideas are not set in stone, as I am still flushing them out. However, I would enjoy your feedback.
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Permalink Reply by Kriston Couchey on
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Michael said:I can not in good conscience say that a deacon has any authority over anyone else in the body other than the natural leadership that is grown from following Jesus words “Mar 10:43 But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Being great or noticeable is derived from service alone.
These ideas are not set in stone, as I am still flushing them out. However, I would enjoy your feedback.
I think there is a mindset in many of having authority OVER others that is completely erronous. as a matter of fact, this has been the real probelm with the IC, asumption of position and title that gives a place of preminance OVER others, or the right to order others lives. It's like Diotrephes in John III. It not even about "servant leadership", a made up from Mar 10:43. It's just about being a servant, no leadership reference in that, just greatness in serving, not the leadership through serving.
Divine authority is given to many for different purposes. I can recieve the divine authority of God speaking through my 5 year old, and know that rejecting the word of the Lord through him is rejecting God. The issue is not hierarchal placement. Elder authority is given to care for, protect and train, but not to be OVER others. this type of authority does not exist...
Kris
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Permalink Reply by Alan Knox on -
If 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list "qualifications", then we would have no elders, because no one would be qualified: no one is blameless. Instead, I think 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list characteristics. These should be characteristics of all followers of Jesus Christ.
I see elders functioning as "examples" for other believers. They are selected (recognized) by others for their service to others (Matt 20:25-27) and their Christ-like character (1 Tim 3, Titus 1). "Leaders" in the scriptural sense do not try to force, coerce, or even persuade others to follow or submit. Following and submitting is a function of the one following, not the one leading. When the church recognizes leaders (elders), then it helps us all know who to look to as examples and who to go to for advice.
By the way... after much searching, I have found no scriptural requirements for elders/pastors/bishops that are not also scriptural requirements for ALL believers.
-Alan
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Permalink Reply by Bill Benninghoff on
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I agree with you Alan. I think the characteristics of elders are characteristics that all believers should be aspiring to. Also I wanted to comment on Michael's earlier post in that I do not think anyone in the Body of Christ is given authority over anyone else. Jesus is the only One that has authority *over* people.
I like to use the term "influence" with regard to leadership. The leaders in my spiritual life are people whom I have allowed to have influence on my thoughts and decisions because of the example of their lives and because of the wisdom they have shared with me. These are people that I have grown to trust and so I give weight to the things they say and do. They do not have authority over me, but I have granted them influence into my life.
I think the idea of the "office" of a bishop is really foreign to the NT. I think that is a mistranslation of the Greek there in 1 Tim. 3:1. J. N. Darby translates this passage as, "if anyone aspires to oversight...". I think that to oversee (episkopos) was and is a function in the Body of Christ and not an office.
Bill
Alan Knox said:If 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list "qualifications", then we would have no elders, because no one would be qualified: no one is blameless. Instead, I think 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list characteristics. These should be characteristics of all followers of Jesus Christ.
I see elders functioning as "examples" for other believers. They are selected (recognized) by others for their service to others (Matt 20:25-27) and their Christ-like character (1 Tim 3, Titus 1). "Leaders" in the scriptural sense do not try to force, coerce, or even persuade others to follow or submit. Following and submitting is a function of the one following, not the one leading. When the church recognizes leaders (elders), then it helps us all know who to look to as examples and who to go to for advice.
By the way... after much searching, I have found no scriptural requirements for elders/pastors/bishops that are not also scriptural requirements for ALL believers.
-Alan
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Permalink Reply by Dena Brehm on
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I'm inclined to agree with Bill here -- the concept of an "office" was added to the text, in keeping with the agendas of those who wished to overlord (& it's downright astonishing how very quickly the early Church got into overlording, despite the warnings of Jesus...!). We humans seem to just have a pesky penchant for controlling others...!
(as I tell my kids, "'til you've got yourself managed, don't be thinking about telling others what to do...!")
Another thing we seem inclined to do, is yet-another holdover from our IC days (years)... I'm picking up on a prevalent tone in this forum (not just this thread), that smacks of something like this: "There is only ONE RIGHT WAY to do a thing, and we must find it and make sure everyone adheres to it OR ELSE!"
Who says?
There's an incredible lack of detail given in Scripture for how the Church "should" function. No listing of rules (beyond the new commandment to love God with all we've got and to love each other). It's all about relationship -- first with God, and then with each other.
It seems to me that we fear relationship, and much prefer rule-keeping. We seem to talk new covenant, but to revert to old covenant in our actions ... am I the only one seeing this...?
Seems to me that while we can quickly get out of the IC, it takes far longer to get the IC out of us ... we ought to slow things down, take a wilderness-break, and allow our mind to be renewed (takes tiiiiiiiiiiime). There's so much IC-think going on in the Simple Church realm ...
I wish most of us would just hang out with Father, and let Him unlearn us, and relearn us, without us trying to make something happen during that process...
Shalom, Dena
"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the
unquestioned answers."
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to
learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West
Bill Benninghoff said:I agree with you Alan. I think the characteristics of elders are characteristics that all believers should be aspiring to. Also I wanted to comment on Michael's earlier post in that I do not think anyone in the Body of Christ is given authority over anyone else. Jesus is the only One that has authority *over* people.
I like to use the term "influence" with regard to leadership. The leaders in my spiritual life are people whom I have allowed to have influence on my thoughts and decisions because of the example of their lives and because of the wisdom they have shared with me. These are people that I have grown to trust and so I give weight to the things they say and do. They do not have authority over me, but I have granted them influence into my life.
I think the idea of the "office" of a bishop is really foreign to the NT. I think that is a mistranslation of the Greek there in 1 Tim. 3:1. J. N. Darby translates this passage as, "if anyone aspires to oversight...". I think that to oversee (episkopos) was and is a function in the Body of Christ and not an office.
Bill
Alan Knox said:If 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list "qualifications", then we would have no elders, because no one would be qualified: no one is blameless. Instead, I think 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 list characteristics. These should be characteristics of all followers of Jesus Christ.
I see elders functioning as "examples" for other believers. They are selected (recognized) by others for their service to others (Matt 20:25-27) and their Christ-like character (1 Tim 3, Titus 1). "Leaders" in the scriptural sense do not try to force, coerce, or even persuade others to follow or submit. Following and submitting is a function of the one following, not the one leading. When the church recognizes leaders (elders), then it helps us all know who to look to as examples and who to go to for advice.
By the way... after much searching, I have found no scriptural requirements for elders/pastors/bishops that are not also scriptural requirements for ALL believers.
-Alan
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