Most brief studies on biblical eldership immediately go to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and then compile the qualifications or qualities that are supposed to be true of those appointed as elders. What is more difficult to find are treatments from the New Testament concerning the function of elders, their role in the local church, and what ministries are they supposed to carry out. This short appendix includes two things that can be helpful to the pioneer church planter: a listing of the primary New Testament passages that deal with this question, and then the fourteen primary functions of elders as outlined in those passages.
PRIMARY ELDERSHIP PASSAGES
The terms for “elder”, “overseer” and “pastor/shepherd” (both as noun and verb) are used nearly interchangeably in the New Testament with regard to the role and ministry of elders. The key passages are: Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:1-16:4; 20:17-38; 21:17-26; Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesian 4:11ff; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:17-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-11; Hebrews 13:17; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4.
14 PRIMARY MINISTRIES OF ELDERS
From a systematic look at those passages, fourteen vital functions of eldership emerge:
(1) Learn, grow, be well-connected to God and His Word. Elders themselves must hold fast to
sound teaching, which implies knowing it. To be taught.
(2) Watch out for their own spiritual well-being, for oneself and fellow-elders.
(3) In general labor for the sake of the believers’ spiritual growth and well-being (both as
individuals and as a body). Watch over their souls.
(4) Teach, instruct, exhort, warn. FEED.
(5) Generally watch out for anyone or anything that could divide or get believers off-track.
Special alertness is needed against false teachers/teaching. Refute those who contradict
sound teaching.
(6) Direct the affairs of the church (for the sake of these other objectives). Authority is clearly
implied in the various verses that speak of this. Problem-solve.
(7) Be examples to the other believers.
(8) Equip the believers for “the work of service”.
(9) Since this “work of service” quite evidently includes evangelism and apostolic expansion,
and since elders are overall responsible for directing the affairs of the local church, they are
also responsible to ensure that evangelism and church planting thrive from the local body,
including possibly sending out some further a field.
(10) Represent the church and its interests with others.
(11) Commission and launch new ministries; lay on hands (or decline to).
(12) Pray for the sick.
(13) General pastoral care. Help the weak. [However, it is clear that elders do not have a
monopoly on pastoral work.]
(14) Generally be “God’s steward” (representative) inside the church, and perhaps outside as
well.
N.B. Obviously most individual elders will not be able to fulfill all of these ministries. Rather all
these areas are to be covered by the “team” or group of elders.
To the Nations 1040 