What are the duties of an elder in the church?

The Bible provides guidance on the qualifications and responsibilities of elders in the church. Elders are spiritually mature men who oversee and shepherd the local congregation. According to Scripture, there are certain character qualities an elder must demonstrate, as well as duties he is called to fulfill.

Qualifications of Elders

1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 outline the biblical qualifications for elders. An elder must be:

• Above reproach – He has a good reputation and is free from patterns of sin (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6-7)
• Husband of one wife – If married, he is devoted to his wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
• Sober-minded and self-controlled – He is level-headed, restrained in his conduct, and not given to quick, superficial decisions based on immature thinking (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)
• Respectable – He lives a life worthy of respect and good behavior (1 Tim. 3:2)
• Hospitable – He loves strangers and warmly welcomes guests (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)
• Able to teach – He is skilled in teaching sound doctrine (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9)
• Not a drunkard – He does not get drunk on alcohol (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
• Not violent – He is gentle, patient, and not quarrelsome or quick-tempered (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
• Not greedy – He is not obsessed with money or possessions (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
• Manages his household well – He leads his family in a Christ-like manner (1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6)
• Not a recent convert – He is spiritually mature and not newly saved or a new believer (1 Tim. 3:6)
• Has a good reputation with outsiders – He is well-respected even by non-Christians (1 Tim. 3:7)
• Not arrogant – He does not promote himself or look down on others (Titus 1:7)
• A lover of good – He desires the right things and seeks to cultivate goodness (Titus 1:8)
• Upright and holy – He is fair, just, and set apart for God’s purposes (Titus 1:8)
• Disciplined – He has self-control over his emotions, mind, and body (Titus 1:8)

These qualifications emphasize an elder’s character and spiritual maturity. He is to have integrity, lead his family well, be respected by others, and demonstrate self-control and discipline.

Duties of Elders

In addition to meeting the qualifications, elders have specific responsibilities in shepherding the local church:

1. Overseeing the church – Elders provide spiritual oversight to the congregation (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). They care for the spiritual well-being of members and direct the affairs of the church.
2. Shepherding the flock – Elders protect the church from false teachers and guide them to maturity in Christ (Acts 20:28-31). Like shepherds, they watch over the sheep, feed them God’s Word, lead them to good pasture, and guard them from wolves.
3. Teaching and preaching – Elders must be able to teach sound doctrine and preach the Word. They have a responsibility to teach, exhort, and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9).
4. Praying for the sick – Elders should pray over the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14). They entrust members into God’s care through prayer.
5. Equipping other leaders – Elders help develop future church leaders and delegate responsibilities to equip the body of Christ for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-13).
6. Rightly using church discipline – Elders protect the church’s testimony by confronting sin and practicing church discipline when necessary (Matthew 18:15-20). This includes rebuking sin and restoring the fallen.
7. Setting an example – Elders model spiritual maturity to the congregation in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Their lives are above reproach.
8. Caring for the church – Elders look after the welfare of members. They visit the sick and pray for struggling believers (James 5:14). They guide the church to use resources wisely.
9. Protecting the congregation – Elders guard the church from false doctrine through teaching sound theology (Titus 1:9). They identify and refute unbiblical teaching that may arise in the church.
10. Rightly using church finances – Elders oversee the church budget and finances. They ensure money is used properly for ministry needs and spreading the gospel (1 Peter 5:2).

In summary, elders are called to lead, feed, and protect the flock. They oversee the spiritual health and teaching of the congregation while modeling Christlike maturity. Elders carry heavy responsibilities as undershepherds of God’s people.

Servant Leadership of Elders

Importantly, elders are to carry out their duties with humility and servant leadership:

• They are not domineering or lording authority over others (1 Peter 5:3).
• They view themselves as servants of God and His people (1 Corinthians 4:1).
• They lead by example rather than empty words (1 Peter 5:3).
• They do not pursue dishonest gain, but are eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2).
• They depend on the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, not their own abilities (1 Peter 5:4).

Elders exercise spiritual authority but point people to Jesus, who is the head of the church. They lead in humility as those who will give an account to God (Hebrews 13:17).

Distinction Between Elders and Deacons

Elders and deacons serve complementary roles in the local church:

• Elders provide spiritual leadership, teach sound doctrine, and shepherd the flock.
• Deacons handle practical matters like ministering to the physical needs of the church and freeing up pastors to focus on shepherding (Acts 6:1-7).

While elders focus on spiritual oversight, deacons facilitate service and physical needs. Elders govern and teach, while deacons support and serve. Both have distinct but vital functions in a healthy church.

Plurality of Elders

The New Testament shows that churches had multiple elders/pastors serving together in each local body:

• The church in Ephesus had multiple elders (Acts 20:17).
• Paul appointed a plurality of elders in Crete (Titus 1:5).
• Peter urged elders (plural) to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-2).
• James instructed the sick to call the elders (plural) to pray over them (James 5:14).

Having multiple, qualified elders serves to protect the church from dominance by a single elder. It also lightens the workload by distributing responsibilities.

Qualified Candidates Aspiring to Become Elders

Those desiring the office of elder should examine their lives in light of the biblical qualifications. Potential candidates should cultivate lives marked by:

• Prayer and time in God’s Word
• Growing spiritual maturity and self-control
• A successful marriage and family life
• Wise financial stewardship
• Humble service to the local church
• The ability to teach and explain Scripture clearly
• Integrity in all relationships and dealings

Moreover, the existing body of elders should assess and affirm an elder candidate’s qualifications before he is appointed. According to Scripture, the laying on of hands confirms the appointment of church leaders (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6).

Honoring and Submitting to Elders

Because elders have a vital role in the church, Scripture instructs believers how to relate to them:

• Church members should honor, submit to, and pray for their elders (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
• Elders who serve well and labor in preaching and teaching should receive financial support (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
• Elders who persist in sin should be rebuked publicly as a warning to others (1 Timothy 5:20).
• Elders should not be accused lightly or without evidence (1 Timothy 5:19).

When members honor faithful elders who shepherd the flock, it cultivates unity and spiritual growth in the church.

Elders and the Pastoral Role

The New Testament uses the terms elder, pastor/shepherd, and overseer somewhat interchangeably to refer to the same office (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). While all believers are called to do the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12), elders have unique pastoral responsibilities to lead and care for the church.

Elders who particularly excel at teaching and preaching to equip the saints may serve as vocational pastors. But not all elders necessarily serve as full-time pastors who preach weekly. Some may be lay-elders focused on governing and protecting the church through plural leadership.

In a healthy church, qualified full-time pastors will also function as part of the elder team and not operate independent of their fellow elders’ input on major decisions. The terms pastor, elder, and overseer do not refer to separate offices but overlapping aspects of the same pastoral role.

Appropriate Church Government Structures

The most appropriate church government structures align with the biblical teaching about eldership:

• Single-Elder Led – Small or new churches may have only one qualified elder who leads and makes decisions. The goal, however, should be identifying and training additional elders over time.
• Elder Led – Mid-size to large churches should ideally have multiple elders jointly providing spiritual oversight. A team of elders increases accountability and distributes responsibilities.
• Elder Board-Led – Very large churches may benefit from an executive team of elders who oversee church affairs and delegate to other leaders. But decisions should still involve the wider elder board.

While details may vary, a plural elder-led approach recognizes the biblical model. Other common structures like congregational voting or single-pastor rule struggle to uphold all aspects of biblical eldership.

Unbiblical Traditions That Undermine Elders

Some church traditions do not align with the biblical teaching on eldership. Examples include:

• Appointing a priest or pastor who makes unilateral decisions.
• Dictatorial senior pastors who are not accountable to fellow elders.
• Requiring elders to step down at a certain age, when biblical qualifications focus on character.
• Rotating elders by fixed terms, which can remove experienced elders merely because of time served.
• Having figurehead elders who lack real spiritual authority and involvement in shepherding.
• Allowing just one or two elders when Scripture endorses a plurality.

In these cases, traditions of men undermine the biblical principles for church eldership. Scripture should inform church polity rather than common traditions that contradict the Bible.

Guarding Against Unqualified Elders

Since elders hold influential positions in the church, there is danger if unqualified men serve as elders. Scripture warns against appointing elders hastily (1 Timothy 5:22). The process should include:

• Thoroughly examining a potential elder’s life to confirm he meets the biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). This takes time and input from others.
• Having existing elders formally appoint and affirm new elders after examination (1 Timothy 4:14). The laying on of hands represents their endorsement.
• Disciplining and removing existing elders who fall into patterns of serious sin but refuse to repent (1 Timothy 5:19-20). Their continuation as elders brings reproach.

Vigilance is required since putting unqualified men into leadership causes great harm to the church. But when properly selected and led, a team of godly elders greatly benefits the Body of Christ.

Conclusion

Elders play a vital role in caring for Christ’s church. As those entrusted with shepherding local congregations, elders should meet specific qualifications regarding spiritual maturity and leadership abilities. When properly understood and practiced, biblical eldership protects the church and enables elders to fulfill their duties: governing, teaching, praying for the flock, and setting an example of Christlike service. Wise churches appoint multiple qualified elders to share responsibilities, while members submit to their elders’ scriptural authority and provide financial support.