Pastoral Thoughts for Elders
There are variations to the preferred form of church governance. Each conceived form makes its argument from Scripture, so we will not venture there, but we will reference local church government, as in the Presbyterian session or Reformed Baptist elder board.
We subscribe to the biblical qualifications for an elder, clearly stated in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. If one deviates from these, then it is unproductive to learn more. Do you have women on your local church session or elder board? Please stop reading. Leave your local church and find a church that practices what the Bible teaches. Overt disobedience to Scripture is vanity.
Likewise, if you have the structure of “Moses and the deacons,” there is a better, more biblical model. It is a plurality of elders and a plurality of deacons (1 Tim 3:8–13). Not only is the work-load shared, but there is a reduction in potential abuses because of shared accountability. The contemporary church’s obsession with leadership is not helpful. The best thing a local church elder can do, to help the main teaching elder (senior pastor), is to study his Bible.
The church needs men of God, who know the Word of God. These men need to be able to give a defense of the faith and practice of their local body, so to rule out false doctrine and fruitless programs. This is unpopular with goats and lambs, but the best way to send the goats out of the fold is to preach and teach sound doctrine. It is also the best way to grow new believers into mature Christians.
Obviously, immature Christians are not appropriate candidates for the office of a bishop, either. Elders are called on for spiritual service, while deacons take-on more of a material service that does not pertain exclusively to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4).
In this two-fold ministry, elders shepherd the flock of God (1 Pet 5:1–5), tending and feeding souls (Jn 21). The elders, together, must know the state of the members in their care. They must know the names of the members and their stories. They must be aware of immediate spiritual needs, so to be with the people and pray with them and bring to bear the Word of life.
Being men who rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), elders should be apt to teach (1 Tim 3:2) and able to do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim 4:5), at a moment’s notice. Making disciples of Jesus Christ requires abilities at every stage of the maturation process.
Obviously, elders in a local church are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16–17), nor should they hold a low view of Scripture. Either of these malignancies, if they exist, will not go well.
If a local church calls a particular man of God to be their primary teacher, then that man should be wise to consult with his fellow elders, on the content of sermons and the direction of sermon series. Theology is done in community, and each elder should love the Bible and sound doctrine, drawn from Scripture (1 Tim 4:6). For an elder to be disinterested in theology and church history is only a detriment to the pastor who regularly preaches.
Elders must value the sent man of God. They must serve as his rear guard because the enemy prowls in search of ruining pastors (1 Pet 5:8). Without the allegiance and camaraderie of his session, the pastor will inevitably be devoured by wolves in the church.
Elders must be spiritual men who put on the whole armor of God and work together (Eph 6:10–20), employing one another’s strengths (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4) in protecting the flock and dissolving conflicts that easily lead to schism. For this reason, elders should pastor the pastor. They must spend time with him, who is first among equals.
The temptations for pastors are revealed in the Bible. The lust for power to Lord over others is real. The lust for money is always a temptation for the man on top (Ezek 34). The lust for sex is fed by the spotlight being on the one who displays his many gifts of leadership, knowledge, and rhetoric.
So many good things happen in local churches, but rarely is there one that is devoid of its own horror stories. Elders who bring a servant’s heart are the greatest among men (Mk 10:44). These share the ambition to please God (2 Cor 5:9), and men of faith, who delight to see the Spirit of God move in their midst.
It is an honor to be asked to serve as an elder. It comes with much need for humility and patience. The elder who agrees and seeks the office with a desire to walk in a manner worthy of his calling to the office, is on to a good thing (1 Tim 3:1).
It is wise for a local church congregation to regularly pray for its elders and to pray for new elders to be raised up, trained, and tested — for it is the Holy Spirit who appoints each elder, according to the will of God (Acts 20:28). To bungle the work as an elder, or to work against an elder, cannot be pleasing to God.
May God bless and confirm the call of each man of His choosing, whether primary or supportive, and may the joy of the Lord be the strength of all who serve Christ’s body in this office. Amen and amen.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 17, 2022
