Today we will look at the structure of leadership in the New Testiment church. It is a structure called Eldership and we operate under the Eldership structure here at SRC. Today and next week we will explore Eldership in preparation for us as a church moving forward in exploring whetermor not we will add an elder to the church.
Our sermon verse today reveals a charge from Paul to Titus
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. —Titus 1:5-6
We see two things in this verse; Paul tells Titus that he is to complete a work that Paul had started; and directs Titus to appoint elders in each town.
The term “Eldership” is not new in churches today, but many churches do not operate under the structure of eldership in their church. So today, Let’s explore 5 aspects of biblical eldership as revealed in the scriptures.
1. Jesus is the Head Elder- Jesus is the absolute Head of the Church, He established the church and it belongs to Him WMD. Jesus has complete authority over His church!
And he (God) put all things under his (Jesus) feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. —Ephesians 1:22-23
Jesus never says that He would build a denomination or a parachurch ministry… He said that He would build His church. We see one way Jesus will build His church in the function of the 5 fold ministry gifts revealed in Ephesians 4:11-12. All of those gifts serve to build the BOC. So Jesus is the head and primary Elder of His church.
2. Human eldership represents Christ’s oversight for governance and order in the local church
Today we see congregationally led churches, pastor led churches, committee led churches, denominational led churches…none of which reflect true biblical eldership. We see that Paul establishes Elders in the early churches, so then what’s their job?
Peter reveals the task of elders
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. —1 Peter 5:1-5
So Shepherd the flock, that speaks to pastoral care, exercise oversight or what is the spiritual direction of the church and be examples to God’s people.
3.Our Third aspect of biblical eldership is that elders have a responsibility to Teach and Preach the word of God- This preaching and teaching is most often expressed in 4 ways.
4 Aspects of Teaching and Preaching
Exhortation - That is challenging and encouraging the church.
By Counsel - Giving advice, guidance or direction according to God’s Word
Admonition - Giving warnings or correction as needed
Revelation - This is uncovering and teaching truth, and God’s will for the local church
4 Next we consider The Qualifications of elders- The NT Scripture identifies the qualifications of elders in 3 places;
Elder Scriptures
1 Timothy 3:2-7
Titus 1:5-9
HOMEWORK. MORE NEXT WEEK.
You will find in those verses at least 11 qualifications that an elder should have.
Please note that PERFECTION is not a qualification! News Flash- Rick, Jorge and Bill are not perfect. So pray for us and we covet those prayers!
5.LAST, The Plurality of Eldership -One strength of biblical eldership is the plurality of leadership. Plurality simply means more than one. In all NT scriptures related to elders, we see plurality. Some of the passages which clearly speak of a plurality of elders are
Plurality
Acts 14:23; 15:2; 20:17, 28;
Philippians 1:1;
1 Thessalonians 5:12;
1 Timothy 31:7;
Titus 1:5-9;
Hebrews 13:7, 17.
Why plurality? Primarily because no one person can do everything! If too few people are doing too much of the work, it results in: confusion, discouragement, ineffectiveness and burnout.
Plurality is clear in the NT but also seen in the OT
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone. —Numbers 11:16-17
One main reason why so many churches today are not healthy or do not have a solid biblical foundation is because they do not have Godly biblical leadership in place and the scriptures teach that leadership to be Eldership.
So next week, I will dig more into eldership with more detail in the qualifications of Eldership and start our internal process of considering expanding the eldership here at SRC.