Ecclesiology 101 Part 8

The last several weeks we have been focused on the leadership within a Biblically based church. While Christ is the head of the church and the ultimate authority, the apostles set the foundation for the church, and pastors lead the church today. Now we will be discussing the second to last leadership role within the church, and to be honest, it was one that I was unfamiliar with before I became a Christian. This is the role of the Elder.

Thankfully for us, Scripture again provides the characteristics a elder should have.

“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, 6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion.”

Titus 1:5-6

This may seem similar to the characteristics of a pastor and that is true. A pastor or an elder are the front of the church and is where the majority of issues will arise. Because of this, it would make sense that an elder would need to hold themselves above reproach much like a pastor needs too. Again this is not to say that they are to be without sin, no man is perfect, but they need to be actively holding themselves to what the scripture says.

So if the characteristics of a pastor and an elder are the same; why aren’t all elders pastors? Or why aren’t all pastors elders? The answer is simple, the pastor needs another man in his life who can not only help with issues inside the church, but also to ensure that the pastor is following scripture. A pastor is unable to be everywhere at once, and so the pastor needs a group of men who can help the congregation by leading Bible studies, answering questions, and being with the members of the congregation. A pastor should be focused on leading the church Biblically, while an elder helps with the day to day activities within the church.

However, there is another role that an elder has. This is to ensure that the pastor is leading the church Biblically. I have unfortunately been a part of churches that did not have an elder in place. Without this in place, the pastor at this particular church was not held accountable. And so he brought something within the church that ended up dividing the congregation. If an elder board had been put in place, they would have had the capability to prevent this.

I hope you have been enjoying this look inside what a Biblical church should be, next week we will discuss the final role in the church hierarchy, the role of a deacon.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex