Roles and qualifications – Elders
As you examine this portion of the church vision, keep in mind that each time an elder is mentioned, the pastor is included. The responsibilities of elders are not removed from the pastor. The pastor is an elder and each time a responsibility is addressed to the elders, the pastor is included as well. If each one will examine the scriptures referenced, you will see that pastors and elders are addressed together.
Qualification for Elders
To be an elder, one must have a good reputation. If a man has a dishonest reputation or is known for sin or questionable practices, this person should not be considered for this position until his lifestyle and love for God is evident to the church. Back biting and false rumors against a man is not how we measure someone’s reputation. Jesus warned His disciples that people would speak all manner of evil falsely against them for His name sake, so we know backbiting is not what the Bible is warning the church against. A man should be judged on his own actions. If his actions or beliefs have been questionable the Bible disqualifies him. People mature and change, but there must be time to build a godly reputation before someone is qualified to lead the church.
An elder must also have a testimony of faith. If someone loves God, upholds God’s word without compromise and lives by faith, this will be known to those around him. There must be good evidence that someone is truly living for God before they will have a testimony of faith.
The Bible commands that an elder be tested first. This test requires an observable lifestyle that is consistent with scripture, a doctrine that is sound and service as a deacon as a test for responsible leadership. In many churches, deacons are confused with eldership and deacons are given authority that the Bible does not allow. Scripturally, the role of deacon is one of service and faithfulness to this area of responsibility is one of the qualifications for becoming an elder.
The qualifications of a bishop or pastor and the qualifications of a deacon are the same. A pastor or bishop is an elder as well. These qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3. If an elder ceases to meet these qualifications it is the responsibility of the other deacons and pastor to remove that person from leadership. If accountability has been followed as scripture requires, then every effort will have been made to restore this person prior to their fall from grace. If a man is not able to govern his own life, he is not able to provide godly leadership to the church.
References:
1 Timothy 3:2-11
Hebrews 11:2
Elder's coordinate and empower
In scripture, the elders were responsible for coordinating ministry and empowering others to work in ministry. The pastor (who is also an elder) provides direction for the church and the church vision, the elders are responsible for equipping and empowering others to bring this vision to completion. The elders do work in ministry, but they are also necessary to provide leadership to the local body as they engage others in ministry. It is unbiblical to dump all the ministry on the leadership of the church. Each member is a minister with a calling by God. It is an injustice to turn ministry into a spectator sport. Those who desire to serve will become discontented if they are not empowered to follow God’s call in their life. Discipleship is not being carried out if those who are more passive are never encouraged and given the opportunity to serve in ministry as well.
A great leader is not one who does the most, but the one who mentors others and passes his or her vision on to others and nurtures them into service as well. Anyone can limit themselves to task oriented business, but true discipleship is inspiring others to reach for God’s calling in their own life.
References:
Acts 11:29-30
Elder’s are appointed – not a democratic vote
A travesty occurs in most churches each time a need for leadership arises. Most churches I have been a part of use the democratic government approach to leadership instead of biblical principles. Not one time in scripture will you find a leader appointed by popular congregational vote. In scripture, elders and all church leadership are appointed by the other church elders after prayer and after biblical qualifications have been met.
References:
Acts 14:21-23
Titus 1:5-9
Numbers 27:18-20
Elders appointed after prayer and fasting
Only one time in the New Testament is a leader appointed without prayer and fasting. When Judas betrayed Jesus and then committed suicide, the disciples – without direction of the Holy Spirit – gathered together and discussed how to replace him. They decided to cast lots and appointed Matthias. This is the only time Matthias is ever mentioned in scripture. God never acknowledged Matthias’ appointment. We know this because Paul was appointed as the 12th apostle and he was called the one born out of due time.
We make similar mistakes in churches across the nation as we vote for leaders based on popular vote. One of the primary reasons that God chose elders to appoint elders is because these church leaders are required to be faithful and have a reputation for following after God with their whole heart. If the church has biblical elders, they will care more for the things of God than they do for personal preference. The elders (who are the spiritual foundation of the local church) agree together that someone has shown evidence of God’s call in their life and faithfulness to the things of God. If you cast votes in the church, not only are you denying the mandate of scripture, but you are giving the hypocrite and backslider the same vote as the elders of the church. A worldly Christian or even an unbeliever will cast a vote based on their personal bias without regard to the things of God.
Even an elder is required to fast and pray before appointing leaders within the church. Elders are commanded to seek God’s direction as they humble themselves before God and even deny themselves of the pleasure of eating. Elders seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit only after they have surrendered themselves completely to God in prayer and fasting. Churches rarely follow this command. Failure to seek God’s will is the main reason that there are power struggles in most churches. Someone who is spiritually immature will seek their own will over the good of the church and the will of God. If the church ceases to follow scriptural mandates for leadership, the carnal Christian will have the opportunity to affect the direction and spiritual health of the church.
References:
Acts 14:23
Titus 1:5
Elders govern the church and preach
God has given responsibility to the elders to preach the word and govern the direction of the church.
References:
1 Timothy 5:16-17
1 Peter 5:1
Elders guard church doctrine
One very important task for the eldership is to guard the doctrine of the church. In the New Testament, the elders worked with the apostles to resolve doctrinal crisis’ within the church. We don’t have the apostles today; however, the elders and the pastors have the word of God and any doctrinal questions should be discussed with the scriptures as the foundation. Many doctrinal issues occur in churches today: baptism, music, who partakes in communion and many, many other issues as well. The elders should be men of the word and it is their responsibility to resolve disputes within the church as well as address violations of the scripture.
God will hold the elders accountable for the protection of His word within the local church body.
References:
Acts 15:2
Acts 16:6
Elders and Pastors exercised church authority
Elders are mandated by scripture to exercise authority in the church. Keep in mind that the pastor is also an elder. The pastor provides direction and authority within the church along with the elders.
Decision making does not belong in the business meeting following a church service. The elders are responsible for engaging others to use their gifts within the church. The Bible does not allow the elders to lord over the body (for they are servants), nor does the Bible allow elders to shift their responsibilities to the congregation by calling for voting. Voting in the body is unbiblical. An elder should already be engaging members for ministry inside and outside the walls of the church. There is nothing unbiblical about an elder seeking advice from members who have knowledge or abilities he does not possess. Part of the decision making authority an elder has is to empower others to do what God has given them the ability to do. Elders should be connected with the congregation in fellowship. Decisions should never be a surprise to the local congregation, should be consistent with scripture and the direction and vision of the church.
Leadership is called to wisely use the authority God has given them with a spirit of servant hood – not to do be a taskmaster or bear the weight of all the work themselves.
References:
Acts 15:22
Elders lead financial affairs
I do believe in financial openness in the church. Each member has the right to know what the church budget is going to and church leadership should engage each member in as many ways as it is possible while still maintaining order. However, it is not biblical to have each financial matter voted on by the congregation. This does not mean that the congregation has no voice. It does mean that ultimately the responsibility for proper stewardship is placed on the elders.
Leadership does not have the right to incur debt and then ask the congregation to pay the cost. It is also important for each member to be confident that the money they give is being used wisely and in support of the church vision.
References:
Acts 11:30
Elders resolve disputes
Elders are responsible for handling and resolving disputes within the church. Disputes should be handled according to biblical principles
References:
Acts 15:6, 22
Matthew 18:15-17
Elders are responsible for the testimony of Christ to the world
The Bible gives charge to the elders to be diligent to see that the testimony of salvation in Christ is presented to the world.
References:
Acts 20:17-21
Elders pray for the sick
Elders are called to pray for the members within the church by anointing them with oil and praying over them by laying on of hands. The Bible tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. I know of very few churches that pray for their sick as the Bible has commanded. If our church elders are the spiritual leaders they are called to be, God has provided a powerful tool to pray for those in need. Obeying this mandate is an act of faith. Failure to do so is negligence on our part and we should not expect much of a result.
It is vital for the eldership to have a consistent, obedient walk with Christ so that God can work within the church.
References:
James 5:14-16
Elders must be committed to Prayer and God’s Word
Prayer is the lifeblood of the church. Nothing is more important than an effective prayer life founded upon the truth of God’s word. Prayer without truth is worthless. Knowing the word without a relationship with God that is evident by an active prayer life is incomplete. If an elder cannot be faithful in this fundamental issue, the church will have no power.
There absolutely must be a time set aside for the leadership of the church to meet solely for prayer. Almost all churches turn prayer meetings into business meetings. Praying before a business meeting is critical; however, there must also be time dedicated strictly for prayer. Ten minutes of prayer followed by discussion does not qualify. A church must be diligent to commit time for prayer alone. If a church does not have a prayer life within its leadership, they will not have the power of God. Even a dead church can grow numerically if they have something that creates interest. If a church is to follow a godly vision and fulfill its purpose, prayer must be an integral part of the church.
Equally important, an elder must be diligent to maintain an active personal prayer life. A man who never comes before the throne of grace has removed himself from the power God has provided to every believer. Prayer must be God focused and purpose focused. The scriptures tell us that whatever we ask according to God’s will, He hears and we have the petitions we ask. If we are praying for God’s will in our life, we are drawing closer to Him. If we are seeking God’s will in the church and the lives of others, we will see effectual results.
It is impossible for a man to pray in God’s will without knowing the heart and mind of God as He has revealed in scripture. We cannot know all that God is, but we must be diligent to know what He has revealed. We must study to know His word, to rightly divide it and show ourselves approved before Him. Also, it is impossible to love God without knowing Him and keeping His word. It is impossible to know Him without knowing His word.
References:
James 5:16b
Acts 6:1-4
Hebrews 4:16
1 John 14:15
John 14:23-24
2 Peter 1:3
1 John 2:4-6
2 Timothy 2:15
John 17:17
Psalm 119:160
Return to the Church Vision page.