Church Leaders

The Church & Eldership

The term church comes from two words:
kuriakon which means “dedicated to the Lord” which was used for the place of worship.

ecclesia translated “assembly” literally “the called out ones” The idea is of people who have been called out of darkness into His wonderful light.

It is applied to the local assembly as well as the whole body of professing Christians throughout the world
(1Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Matthew 16:18) are called the church of Christ.

Purpose of the Church: “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” (Psalm 96:8) Characteristics of a church: It is a body not a place composed of the Ekkesia – the called out ones – saved believers

Model – Scripture gives a Blueprint for what God expects in His church.

1. The Day of Worship: First day of the week. “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered”
2. Communion and Preaching: “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together ….to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)
3. Fellowship and Prayers “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
4. Singing: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Matt. 26:30).
5. Offering: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

VI. Baptism”So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousands souls.” [to be added to the body of Christ] (Acts 2:41)

1 Leadership Terms

The scriptures refer to several leadership terms; elder, bishop (overseer), Shepherd or pastor. The term “pastor” is a term used in scripture for one who serves as an elder and, because of his public presence and responsibility before the congregation, is seen as the primary shepherd. The Pastor should be gifted primarily as a preacher/teacher and as a leader and is therefore seen as the teaching elder.

The following passages deal with these terms interchangeably: Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5,7; 1 Peter 5:1,2. “Elder” and Presbyter come from the same Greek word “Presbureros”. The English terms “Overseer” and “Bishop” come from the same Greek word “Episcopos”, while the English terms “Shepherd” and “Pastor” come from the same Greek word “Poimen”.

Elder indicates a man with wisdom, one who is spiritually mature, and leads spiritually. Overseer indicates a position of top authority, one who is in charge and makes all final decisions for the local congregation.

Shepherd is a metaphoric term that indicates the men are to show love, care, dedication and self sacrifice for the members as sheep. The men are not literally Shepherding sheep, but are doing so in a metaphoric sense that everyone immediately understands.

Bishop = Elder

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you — if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless …” Titus 1:5-7

Elder = Overseer (Bishop) = Shepherd

“From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: … ‘Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (Pastor) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.’ “ Acts 20:17, 28

The word for overseer is actually the same word that is translated “bishop” in other places. Please also see I Peter 5:1-5 for similar usage.

Therefore, “Pastors” (used only this one time here in the entire Bible) should be considered synonymous with the office of elder. This is reinforced by looking at the original word for pastor, which was poimen. This word meant “a shepherd” and was identical to the words for “shepherd” in other passages for elders that commanded them to “shepherd, or tend the flock of God” (except the other passages are the verb form of the same word – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-5 ). The Greek word for “presbytery”, found only once in I Timothy 4:14, meant “a body of elders”. Therefore, one member of this body of elders could be called a “presbyter”, although this label is never found in the New Testament.

Consequently, the words “bishop”, “elder”, “pastor”, and “presbyter” all refer to the same office.

2 Elder Leadership

We believe that the biblical church form of government is that of elder rule. We do not find any scripture that teaches that the New Testament church followed a congregational form of government where either members or adherents formulated or participated in making spiritual decisions for the church. Rather, spiritual leaders made spiritual decisions, not by vote but through consensus and much prayer, realizing their mutual accountability to each other and to the Lord.

We are committed to upholding the Bible’s teaching that men who hold the offices of Elder and Deacon are to oversee various functions of the local church.

The Bible’s teaching on the subject of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Although there are four terms used for the offices of the church: bishop, elder, pastor and deacon, analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder, pastor are used interchangeably while the office of a deacon is one of service.

Elder Duties

The Scriptures show that the elders serve by leading and that their responsibility involves the spiritual oversight of the congregation. All elders are equal in authority but not necessarily equal in influence.

The elders’ primary responsibilities include:
Doctrine – Ensuring that the doctrine of the church is biblical; all doctrinal issues in the church will be settled by the Board of Elders.

Direction – Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with the Open Bible Fellowship statement of purpose and Pillars.

Discipline – Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, and Romans 16:17.

Plurality of Elders

The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1). The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly elders, exercising their individual giftedness, is compatible with the Scripture’s teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 24:6). This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings on the Elder Board, yet, we believe in the spiritual equality of each elder.

3  A Plurality of Elders were in all the Churches that Paul Founded

When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23

1) Elders in the Church at Jerusalem Acts 15:2

And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

2) Elders in Ephesus Acts 20:17

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.

3) Elders in All the Churches of Crete Titus 1:5

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.

4) Elders in All the Churches of the Dispersion of the Roman Empire James 1:1; 5:14

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. . . . Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

5) Elders in All the Churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia 1 Peter 1:1; 5:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen. . . . Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God.

4 Calling of Leaders

O.T Examples: Jeremiah ( Jerm 1:4-7) Isaiah (Isa 6:8) N.T. Ephesian 4:11,12

Qualifications

5  Submissions to Leadership

An individual of the congregation who place themselves under the teaching of the elders are also under the leadership of the elders as a whole, and are subject to discipline and loving rebuke, while receiving all the pastoral care as needed. They are also expected to submit to the leadership’s authority as required in Hebrews 13:7, 17.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith”. (Hebrews 13:7)

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. (1Tim 5:19) The position of an elder is a Noble Task, yet one which has Much Accountability

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Tim 3:1)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)

The Teaching Elder

All elders are equal in authority yet, they use their gifts differently within the leadership position. It will become evident that one elder will be the Teaching Elder and have as their main function the teaching of scripture. This teaching elder may or may not find outside work, for the “tent- making” role is a biblical option. They may not wish to put the burden of their support on the church, yet he should biblically be supported by the congregation financially for his work as the teacher of God’s Word.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The labourer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim. 5:17-18).