Elders

The basic idea of church government in the Scriptures is the Headship of Jesus Christ.

The church is not a democracy or a republic; it is not governed by the people as a whole or by representatives acting on their behalf. Christ is the Head of the church. Therefore, the basic function of church government is to allow the Lord Jesus Christ to rule over the body of His people.

The Role of Elders

The scriptures also make it clear that the Lord chooses to give spiritual direction to each local assembly of believers through certain men whom He designates and equips for this task. These are called by various names in the Scriptures. They are named “elders” in some places, “overseers” or “bishops,” (the same Greek word) in others. In still another passages they are called “pastors” and “teachers.”

All these titles refer to the same off ice, but they designate different frameworks in which that office is administrated. The word “elder” looks at the quality of maturity, the ability to make mature judgments. As a result the passages referring to “elders” deal largely in the character of the men holding that position. The word “bishop” or “overseer” refers to the work the elder does. He has authority, superintendency over a group. He oversees the direction in which the church is going. The double word, “pastor-teacherâ€?, refers to the duties of elders as shepherds to see that God’s flock is fed from His Word, and to meet the needs of the flock whatever they may be.

A Team Ministry

No church in the New Testament ever had only one elder. The term is always plural, referring to a team ministry. In fact, in III John, Diotrephes is severely condemned for lifting himself up above the others in the church as the one preeminent leader. In all the other churches there were always several elders in charge.

Appointed Not Elected

No church in the New Testament ever chose its own leaders. Elders were always appointed, at first by the apostles and then by apostolic representatives (See the position paper: A Framework for Recognizing Elders and Deacons Within the Local Assembly.) The appointments ran indefinitely until the elders’ fitness to serve was for some reason hampered. But no flock of God in the New Testament ever chose its own shepherds. This was exclusively the work of the Chief Shepherd Himself. (Acts 20:28)

Responsibilities In the same way, God’s appointed shepherds are not left to their own devices in order to run the church. They are carefully instructed as to their duties to “be on guard”, “to shepherd the flock” (Acts 20:28); to “feed the flock”, “exercise oversight” and “prove to be examples” (I Peter 5:2,3) and to “devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and to prayer”. (Acts 6:4)

The elders do not decide all matters within the local church. They are supported by deacons who account to the Lord for their own ministries, and by the congregation of the saints who quite rightfully express their own convictions, concerns and support of the church.

But the elders’ responsibility is to seek the mind of the Lord. They are not to determine their own will, or the will of the people, but the will of the Lord. We believe this is best accomplished by searching the Scriptures on any given issue, devoting that issue to the Lord in prayer and then seeking unanimous agreement as to what the Lord’s will is in that matter. Only when we are unanimous as to the leading of the Lord Jesus will we act.

Christ’s Church

Westbrooke Church is not ours. It is Christ’s church. It was bought with His blood. He cleansed and purified it by His Word. He has appointed Os ordinances. He is the One who has chosen men to guide in spiritual matters and equipped them with the necessary qualifications to do the work. He Himself is the Head of the church. He hasn’t left us on our own to decide things for ourselves. We can be sure that when He is in the midst of His church, direction will be given. And working through the leadership He appoints, Christ will lead His church into a fruitful ministry of His life, for His glory.

See also “A Framework for Recognizing Elders and Deacons Within the Local Assembly“