WHAT DO ELDERS DO?

A major reason we want to identify new elders in this church is because the Bible is clear that eldership is meant to be practiced in plurality. When Paul was on his return journey during his first apostolic travels, we’re told that he “appointed elders [plural, not singular] for them in every church” (Acts 14:23). And when he passed by the church in Ephesus one last time, he “called the elders of the church to come to him” (Acts 20:17), not just one elder. The New Testament does not record a single instance of a church being governed by an individual on their own. 

Paul calls the role of elders “a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1), and by referring to elders who “rule well” (1 Timothy 5:1), he makes it clear that the essence of that task is to lead the church. The Bible specifies a number of leadership responsibilities for elders. We see in the book of Acts that the elders of a church are meant to settle matters of church doctrine and practice (Acts 15:1-21), and we also see from how that same story is told in Galatians, that elders are to confirm vision in the church (Galatians 2:7-10). This is often achieved by teaching, as elders are meant to be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2), and “able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Paul told Titus that having elders in such roles is meant to bring order to the church (Titus 1:5). 

But it must be noted that Paul also made special mention of “especially those [elders] who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17), which makes it clear that the teaching gift is not the strength of every elder. Elders may have other gifts that strengthen the church, and having a variety of gifts in a team of elders is beneficial to the church.

But it must be stressed that the leadership of elders is to reflect the heart of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). As a Shepherd to his sheep, Jesus appoints elders in the church to keep watch over the souls in the church (Hebrews 13:17). Peter summed up the duties of an elder by writing, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). Paul also made it clear that elders are appointed by God to “care for the church of God” (Acts 20:28), and instructed elders to “help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35). James added to this by making it clear that this can involve praying for and anointing the sick with oil (James 5:14).