A GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH DISTINCTIVE

Biblical Eldership the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of term presbuteros (“elder”) is used it is plural,
the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd except where the apostle John uses it of himself
[poimainō ] the flock of God among you, exer- in 2 and 3 John and where Peter uses it of him-

B IBLICALLY, the focal point of all church

leadership is the elder. An elder is one of a
plurality of biblically qualified men who jointly
cising oversight [episkopeō] not under compul-
sion, but voluntarily, according to the will of
God.” The different terms, then, indicate vari-
self in 1 Peter 5:1. Nowhere in the New
Testament is there a reference to a one-pastor
congregation. It may be that each elder in the
shepherd and oversee a local body of believers. ous features of ministry, not varying levels of city had an individual group in which he had
The word translated “elder” is used nearly authority or separate offices, as some churches specific oversight. But the church was seen as
twenty times in Acts and the epistles in refer- espouse. one church, and decisions were made by a col-
lective process and in reference to the whole,
ence to this unique group of leaders who have
A Plurality of Elders not the individual parts.
responsibility for overseeing the people
The consistent pattern throughout the New
of God.
Testament is that each local body of believers is
shepherded by a plurality of God-ordained eld- …the biblical norm for church
The Office of Elder
As numerous passages in the New Testament
ers. Simply stated, this is the only pattern for leadership is a plurality of
church leadership given in the New Testament.
indicate, the words “elder” (presbuteros), “over-
Nowhere in Scripture does one find a local
God-ordained elders, and only
seer” (episkopos), and “pastor” (poimēn) all refer by following this biblical pattern
assembly ruled by majority opinion or by a sin-
to the same office. In other words, overseers
gle pastor. will the church maximize its
and pastors are not distinct from elders; the
terms are simply different ways of identifying The Apostle Paul left Titus in Crete and fruitfulness to the glory of God.
the same people. The qualifications for an over- instructed him to “appoint elders in every city”
seer (episkopos) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and those (Titus 1:5). James instructed his readers to “call
for an elder (presbuteros) in Titus 1:6-9 are for the elders of the church” to pray for those In other passages, reference is made to a plural-
unmistakably parallel. In fact, in Titus 1, Paul who are sick (James 5:14). When Paul and ity of elders even though the word presbuteros
uses both terms to refer to the same man (pres- Barnabas were in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and itself is not used. In the opening greeting of his
buteros in v. 5 and episkopos in v. 7). All three Antioch, they “appointed elders for them in epistle to the Philippians, Paul refers to the
terms are used interchangeably in Acts 20. In every church” (Acts 14:23). In Paul’s first epis- “overseers [plural of episkopos] and deacons”
verse 17, Paul assembles all the elders (pres- tle to Timothy, the apostle referred to “the at the church of Philippi (Phil. 1:2). In Acts
buteros) of the church of Ephesus to give them elders who rule well” at the church at Ephesus 20:28, Paul warned the elders of the church of
his farewell message. In verse 28 he says, “Be on (1 Tim. 5:17; see also Acts 20:17, where Paul Ephesus, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all
guard for yourselves and for all the flock, addresses “the elders of the church” at the flock, among which God has made you
among which the Holy Spirit has made you Ephesus). The book of Acts indicates that there overseers [plural of episkopos]” (Acts 20:28).
overseers [episkopos], to shepherd [poimainō ] were “elders” at the church in Jerusalem (Acts The writer of Hebrews called his readers to
the church of God.” First Peter 5:1-2 brings all 11:30; 15:2, 4; 21:18). obey and submit to the “leaders” who kept
three terms together as well. Peter writes, watch over their souls (Heb. 13:17). Paul
“Therefore, I exhort the elders [presbuteros] Again and again, reference is made to a plurality exhorted his Thessalonian readers to “appreci-
among you, as your fellow elder and witness of of elders in each of the various churches. In fact, ate those who diligently labor among you, and
every place in the New Testament where the

The Distinctives series articulates key bibilical and

theological convictions of Grace Community Church.
have charge over you in the Lord and give you self-willed, not quick-tempered, loving what is The primary responsibility of an elder is to serve
instruction” (1 Thess. 5:12)—a clear reference good, just, and devout. (For an explanation of as a manager and caretaker of the church (1
to the overseers in the Thessalonian assembly. these qualifications, see pages 215-33 of The Tim. 3:5). That involves a number of specific
Master’s Plan for the Church by John duties. As spiritual overseers of the flock, elders
Much can be said for the benefits of leadership
MacArthur.) are to determine church policy (Acts 15:22);
made up of a plurality of godly men. Their
oversee the church (Acts 20:28); ordain others
combined counsel and wisdom helps assure The single, overarching qualification of which (1 Tim. 4:4); rule, teach, and preach (1 Tim.
that decisions are not self-willed or self-serving the rest are supportive is that he is to be “above 5:17; cf. 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:2); exhort and
to a single individual (cf. Prov. 11:14). If there reproach.” That is, he must be a leader who refute (Titus 1:9); and act as shepherds, setting
is division among the elders in making deci- cannot be accused of anything sinful because an example for all (1 Pet. 5:1-3). Those respon-
sions, all the elders should study, pray, and seek he has a sustained reputation for blamelessness. sibilities put elders at the core of the New
the will of God together until consensus is An elder is to be above reproach in his marital Testament church’s work.
achieved. In this way, the unity and harmony life, his social life, his business life, and his spir-
that the Lord desires for the church will begin itual life. In this way, he is to be a model of Because of its heritage of democratic values and
with those individuals he has appointed to godliness so he can legitimately call the con- its long history of congregational church gov-
shepherd His flock. gregation to follow his example (Phil. 3:17). ernment, modern American evangelicalism
All the other qualifications, except perhaps often views the concept of elder rule with sus-
The Qualifications of Elders teaching and management skills, only amplify picion. The clear teaching of Scripture, however,
The character and effectiveness of any church is that idea. demonstrates that the biblical norm for church
directly related to the quality of its leadership. leadership is a plurality of God-ordained elders,
That’s why Scripture stresses the importance of In addition, the office of elder is limited to and only by following this biblical pattern will
qualified church leadership and delineates spe- men. First Timothy 2:11-12 says, “Let a the church maximize its fruitfulness to the glory
cific standards for evaluating those who would woman quietly receive instruction with entire of God.
serve in that sacred position. submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to
teach or exercise authority over a man, but to Adapted from John MacArthur, The Master’s Plan for the Church
The qualifications for elders are found in 1 remain quiet.” In the church, women are to be (Chicago: Moody Press, 1991). For a fuller treatment of biblical
Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-8. According to under the authority of the elders, excluded
eldership, consult this resource.

these passages, an elder must be above from teaching men or holding positions of
© 2001 Grace Community Church. All rights reserved.

reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, authority over them.

prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, gentle, The Functions of Elders
uncontentious, free from the love of money,
As the apostolic era came to a close, the office
not fond of sordid gain, a good manager of his
of elder emerged as the highest level of local
household, one who has his children under
church leadership. Thus, it carried a great
control with dignity, not a new convert, one
amount of responsibility. There was no higher
who has a good reputation outside the church,
court of appeal and no greater resource to
self-controlled, sensible, able to exhort in
know the mind and heart of God with regard
sound doctrine and to refute those who con-
to issues in the church. 13248 Roscoe Boulevard ■ Sun Valley, California 91352
tradict, above reproach as God’s steward, not (818) 909-5500 ■ www.gracechurch.org