The Bible has much to say on the topic of what it means to be an Elder.

I recently read a book by Alexander Strauch titled Biblical Eldership, and it did a good job of explaining many things regarding what Biblical Eldership can look like in the church today.

Here are some questions and answers I have taken from Biblical Eldership in order to organize a simplified list. See below.

What do Elders Do?

1. Shepherd (Care for) God’s people (Church Staff and Congregation). (Ezekiel 34)
2. By Protect God’s people (Church Staff and Congregation). (Acts 20:17, 28-31)
3. Feeding God’s people (Church Staff and Congregation). (John 21:17)
4. Lead God’s people (Church Staff and Congregation). (2 Samuel 5:2)
5. Care for God’s people (Church Staff and Congregation). ()James 5:14)

How should Elders behave?

1. Stay above reproach.
2. Stay spiritually alert.
3. Be courageous.
4. Know the congregation.
5. Be spiritually active (not lazy)

How do they do this:

1. Balancing weakness.
2. Lightening the workload.
3. Providing accountability.

Elders help the church:

1. Be seen and experienced as a loving family.
2. Be a community of people dependent on God’s Spirit.
3. Serve the community with humility.
4. Submit to Christ.

Instructions to the Church about Elders:

1. The sick call for the elders (James 5:14)
2. Paul instructs the church to financially support preaching elders (1 Tim. 5:17, 18)
3. Paul instructs the church to protect elders form false accusation, disciplining and restoring fallen elders (1 Tim. 5:19-22).
4. The church must have qualification for elders. (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)
5. Church is supposed to submit to its elders. (1 Peter 5:5)
6. Paul instructs church to acknowledge, love, and live at peace with its elders. (1 Thess. 5:12, 13)

Specific Actions of Elders:

1. Elders pray for the sick and anoint them with oil. (James 5:14)
2. Elders oversee the local congregation. (1 Peter 5:1,2)
3. Elders are to be humble. (1 Peter 5:5)
4. Guard the church from false teachers and false doctrine. (Acts 20:28-31)
5. Work hard, help the needy and be generous. (Acts 20:35)
6. Live at peace with the congregation. (1 Thess. 5:13)
7. Elders are the stewards, leaders, instructors, and teachers of the local church. (Titus 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:12, Titus 1:9)

Blessings for Elders:

1. To be an Elder is noble work. (1 Tim. 3:1)
2. Elders will receive crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:4)

Articles for reading on the Role of Elders:

Article #1

Article #2

Actions Items:

1. Discuss the two articles with your Pastor and Elders.
2. Spend some time studying the Bible references in this blog.
3. Plan a three night, two day, Elder Retreat for goal setting and planning.