When sorting through some old books which had been given to charity, we came upon a sheet of paper with the following notes about eldership. It was apparently material for a study group or seminar. While we do not know who it was that prepared or used this material, we felt it was of interest to our readers, and express our thanks to the unknown Christian brother or sister responsible for preparing it.

The New Testament references to eldership are as follows:

Acts 11:29-30

Acts 14:23

>Acts 15:2

>Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the ELDERS of the church.

Acts 21:18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the ELDERS were present [in Jerusalem]

1 Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect (if anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgement as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

1 Timothy 5:17-20 The ELDERS who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." Do not entertain an accusation against an ELDER unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

Titus 1:5-9 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint ELDERS in every town, as I directed you. An ELDER must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

James 5:14-15 Is any one of you sick? He should call the ELDERS of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned he will be forgiven.

1 Peter 5:1-4 To the ELDERS among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

[The NT references which have been included refer to the function and office of elder in the early church. Excluded are all references to elders of the Jews, city elders and elders in the revelation of John. Also excluded are 1 Tim. 5:1 and 2 and 3 John:1 which seem to refer to those regarded as elders in age or distinction.]

Here are some conclusions drawn from the above:

• Elders were appointed in every church and represented the church. (Acts 11:29,30, 14:23, 20:17, 21:18, Titus. 1:5-6.)
  
• Elders were appointed with prayer and fasting. (Acts 14:23)
  
• Elders were always referred to in the plural.
  
• Elders had authority in the church (1 Tim.5:17ff) (sometimes this extended beyond their own fellowship as in the case of the Jerusalem elders along with the apostles. (Acts 15, 16:4.))
  
• Elders were sometimes paid. (1 Tim.5:17-20, 1 Pet.5:2 [implied])
  
• Elders were answerable to the church, (1 Tim.5:19-20)

Elders had responsibility for:

• Teaching the faith. (1 Tim. 3:2. Titus 1:9.)
  
• Directing the affairs of the church. (1 Tim.5:17)
  
• Leading holy & blameless lives. (Titus 1:6)
  
• Holding together a stable family life (Titus 1:6)
  
• The ministry of healing. (James 5:14-15)
  
• Pastoral care and leadership. (1 Peter 5:2)
  
• Being servants. (1 Peter 5:2)
  
• Being examples to those they led. (1 Peter 5:3)

These statements do not represent a system for church government. Yet, while there are no uniform models for ministry, there are four areas in which elders are assumed to work.

1. The pastoral ministry, in which the elders take care of the church.
   

2. The overseeing ministry, in which the elders give order and direction to the church.
   

3. The healing ministry, in which the elders bring the wholeness of Christ to the church.
   

4. The teaching ministry, in which the elders instruct the church.
   

These four areas of ministry form the essential basis for New Testament eldership and our practice should reflect and contain them if it is going to be true to the scriptures.