Selection of Elders for the College Church
The current elders of the College Church have determined that additional men should be added to the eldership. Consequently, we are asking the congregation to recommend men who can serve in this important capacity.
As we attend to this selection process, we should keep in mind the work these men will be expected to do and recommend those who meet the biblical standards for the task. The following comments are offered to assist us in this important endeavor.
The New Testament employs three terms interchangeably in reference to the position — elders, overseers, shepherds (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5, 7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Each of these terms, and the contexts in which they occur, points to responsibilities the men will have, the dispositions with which they are to carry them out, and the personal character traits each man should possess. Since the three terms are used for the same position, there may be some repetition in the following discussion.
The word most frequently used for the position is elder (Acts 11:30; 14:23;15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 20:17; 212:18; 1 Tim. 5:17, 19; Tit. 1:5; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5). While no chronological age is given for an elder, an “older man,” the term does suggest a person of experience and wisdom. He must not be a recent convert (1 Tim. 3:6). He should be old enough to have children who believe and who have made their own decision not to pursue an ungodly lifestyle (Tit. 1:6). He must know the gospel message well enough to be able to teach it to others (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9). He must know sound doctrine well enough to distinguish it from false teaching, and he must be able and willing to protect the church from those who contradict the truth (Tit. 1:9-14; Acts 20:28-30).
The elders of the Jerusalem church participated in deliberations concerning the acceptance of Gentile believers, and they joined in the final decision that was based ultimately on the teaching of Scripture (Acts 15:1-21). Elders today must be capable of evaluating fairly controversial perspectives that may have an impact on the church and seeking a biblical solution.
Elders have other responsibilities, such as seeing that church funds are used appropriately. When Paul and Barnabas brought famine relief from the church in Antioch to brothers in Judea, they delivered the funds to the elders (Acts 11:30). The elders were responsible for the appropriate distribution of the funds. No Christian should be a lover of money; however, elders’ having access to church funds may explain why men who serve in this ministry must not be greedy for money (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2; cf. Acts 20:33-35). Elders are not primarily budget managers; however they must make final decisions in these matters.
Elders are also called overseers (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7). Paul emphasizes that this role is not merely a position, but a noble “task,” or “work” (1 Tim. 3:1); and Peter reminds us that an elder must carry out the task willingly and eagerly (1 Pet. 5:2 ).
Since the term overseer carries the idea of superintendence or management, one who serves should have certain management insights and abilities. This is implied in the qualification that he “manage his own household well” (1 Tim 3:4). It suggests that as a result of his leadership his household is not in disarray. He is a faithful husband to his one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6), and he has gained the respect of his children who have made their own decisions of faith (1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6). His positive domestic leadership indicates that he has the ability to “care for the church” (1 Tim. 3:5).
This language elevates the management role of elders/overseers above the mundane and stresses that they are not businessmen or a board of directors. In their management they “care for” the church. The verb “to care for” is used in only one other New Testament text. Luke 10:34-35 expresses the compassionate care the “Good Samaritan” extended to the wounded man. It is with the same caring tone that Peter says elders must not “lord it over” or “domineer over” those in their charge (1 Pet. 5:3). A man with an authoritarian disposition will not fit well in a biblical eldership. After all, elders oversee people. Elders have concern for material things only to the degree that they serve the needs of people whom they lead in the church of God.
The personal dimension of an elder’s role comes into sharper focus with the noun shepherd. This noun is used for this group of congregational leaders only once in the New Testament. Paul employs the term in Ephesians 4:11 (sometimes translated “pastors”) among those who are to equip the saints for works of service. However, verbal forms meaning “to do the work of a shepherd” appear in key texts. According to Acts 20:28 Paul instructs the elders from Ephesus to take heed to the “flock” of which they have been made “overseers,” to “shepherd the church of God.” Peter instructs elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Pet. 5:2). English translations render these terms in various ways that call attention to aspects of shepherds’ tasks. Shepherds tend the flock, feed the flock, care for the flock.
Unpacking the shepherding metaphor for elders, we might say elders are to make sure the flock (the congregation) has the proper diet, being nourished on the sound doctrine of the gospel and the moral and ethical demands of the life worthy of the gospel. They ensure that church members have resources and opportunities for Christian service (Eph. 4:11).
Shepherds must also protect the flock (the congregation) from predators, false teachers and a hostile culture that jeopardize the church’s spiritual security. And when sheep go astray, shepherds seek to bring them back safe into the fold (cf. the teaching of Jesus the Chief Shepherd, Lu. 15:3-7; Matt. 18:12-14).
When Jesus compared himself to a shepherd, he emphasized that sheep follow the shepherd whose voice they know and the shepherd who knows them by name (Jn. 10:1-5). This calls attention to the relationship that should exist between shepherds and their sheep. It also recalls Peter’s point that elders are not to drive the sheep with a domineering hand, but are to be “examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3).
By and large, the qualifications or virtues for overseers/elders/shepherds (read carefully 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) are virtues that all Christian men should possess. Church leaders must exemplify what all members of the congregation should be. As we identify men to serve as elders, we must ask, “Are these men who exemplify the lives all of us should live?”
The terms for these congregational leaders most often appear in the New Testament in the plural (elders, overseers, shepherds). This points to a group of men serving a congregation. The eldership is a shared responsibility. No single person oversees a church. Consequently, men who serve in this role must be able to work well with others, each contributing his part to the work of the whole. The eldership is no place for anyone’s personal agenda.
As we identify potential overseers, we must also ask ourselves, “Are these men to whose collective judgment and leadership we are willing to submit?” Peter admonishes the younger to submit to the elders (1 Pet. 5:5), and the writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb. 13:17).
Finally, elders should be righteous men of prayer. James 4:14-18 urges one who is sick to call for the elders to pray over him. The prayer the elders offer must be “the prayer of faith” and the “prayer of (righteous men).” No elder is righteous on his own merit. But men who have been made righteous (justified) by faith in Christ, join in prayer for members of the congregation who have special needs. This is one way they fulfill Paul’s admonition that elders should “help the weak” (Acts 20:35). As we search for men to serve as elders, we must seek men to whom we are willing to say, “Pray for us.”
When we engage in this very important process, your elders ask for your prayers — prayers for wisdom. From the list of men that the congregation recommends, we want to select those who are willing to serve and shepherd the congregation, who are widely known, who will be able to work well with the existing overseers, and who may have talents and demonstrated experience in particular ministry areas that need their oversight.
In addition to prayers for wisdom, we also seek your prayers that the providential will of God may be done. When a successor to Judas was being selected, two men, Joseph and Matthias, met the qualifications. The brothers prayed, “Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen” (Acts 1:23-24). They proceeded to cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias who was then numbered among the apostles. Your elders will not cast lots as the early apostles did. However, we want God’s will to be done. Please pray to that end.
The College Church of Christ Elders
As we attend to this selection process, we should keep in mind the work these men will be expected to do and recommend those who meet the biblical standards for the task. The following comments are offered to assist us in this important endeavor.
The New Testament employs three terms interchangeably in reference to the position — elders, overseers, shepherds (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5, 7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Each of these terms, and the contexts in which they occur, points to responsibilities the men will have, the dispositions with which they are to carry them out, and the personal character traits each man should possess. Since the three terms are used for the same position, there may be some repetition in the following discussion.
The word most frequently used for the position is elder (Acts 11:30; 14:23;15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 20:17; 212:18; 1 Tim. 5:17, 19; Tit. 1:5; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5). While no chronological age is given for an elder, an “older man,” the term does suggest a person of experience and wisdom. He must not be a recent convert (1 Tim. 3:6). He should be old enough to have children who believe and who have made their own decision not to pursue an ungodly lifestyle (Tit. 1:6). He must know the gospel message well enough to be able to teach it to others (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9). He must know sound doctrine well enough to distinguish it from false teaching, and he must be able and willing to protect the church from those who contradict the truth (Tit. 1:9-14; Acts 20:28-30).
The elders of the Jerusalem church participated in deliberations concerning the acceptance of Gentile believers, and they joined in the final decision that was based ultimately on the teaching of Scripture (Acts 15:1-21). Elders today must be capable of evaluating fairly controversial perspectives that may have an impact on the church and seeking a biblical solution.
Elders have other responsibilities, such as seeing that church funds are used appropriately. When Paul and Barnabas brought famine relief from the church in Antioch to brothers in Judea, they delivered the funds to the elders (Acts 11:30). The elders were responsible for the appropriate distribution of the funds. No Christian should be a lover of money; however, elders’ having access to church funds may explain why men who serve in this ministry must not be greedy for money (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2; cf. Acts 20:33-35). Elders are not primarily budget managers; however they must make final decisions in these matters.
Elders are also called overseers (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7). Paul emphasizes that this role is not merely a position, but a noble “task,” or “work” (1 Tim. 3:1); and Peter reminds us that an elder must carry out the task willingly and eagerly (1 Pet. 5:2 ).
Since the term overseer carries the idea of superintendence or management, one who serves should have certain management insights and abilities. This is implied in the qualification that he “manage his own household well” (1 Tim 3:4). It suggests that as a result of his leadership his household is not in disarray. He is a faithful husband to his one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6), and he has gained the respect of his children who have made their own decisions of faith (1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6). His positive domestic leadership indicates that he has the ability to “care for the church” (1 Tim. 3:5).
This language elevates the management role of elders/overseers above the mundane and stresses that they are not businessmen or a board of directors. In their management they “care for” the church. The verb “to care for” is used in only one other New Testament text. Luke 10:34-35 expresses the compassionate care the “Good Samaritan” extended to the wounded man. It is with the same caring tone that Peter says elders must not “lord it over” or “domineer over” those in their charge (1 Pet. 5:3). A man with an authoritarian disposition will not fit well in a biblical eldership. After all, elders oversee people. Elders have concern for material things only to the degree that they serve the needs of people whom they lead in the church of God.
The personal dimension of an elder’s role comes into sharper focus with the noun shepherd. This noun is used for this group of congregational leaders only once in the New Testament. Paul employs the term in Ephesians 4:11 (sometimes translated “pastors”) among those who are to equip the saints for works of service. However, verbal forms meaning “to do the work of a shepherd” appear in key texts. According to Acts 20:28 Paul instructs the elders from Ephesus to take heed to the “flock” of which they have been made “overseers,” to “shepherd the church of God.” Peter instructs elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Pet. 5:2). English translations render these terms in various ways that call attention to aspects of shepherds’ tasks. Shepherds tend the flock, feed the flock, care for the flock.
Unpacking the shepherding metaphor for elders, we might say elders are to make sure the flock (the congregation) has the proper diet, being nourished on the sound doctrine of the gospel and the moral and ethical demands of the life worthy of the gospel. They ensure that church members have resources and opportunities for Christian service (Eph. 4:11).
Shepherds must also protect the flock (the congregation) from predators, false teachers and a hostile culture that jeopardize the church’s spiritual security. And when sheep go astray, shepherds seek to bring them back safe into the fold (cf. the teaching of Jesus the Chief Shepherd, Lu. 15:3-7; Matt. 18:12-14).
When Jesus compared himself to a shepherd, he emphasized that sheep follow the shepherd whose voice they know and the shepherd who knows them by name (Jn. 10:1-5). This calls attention to the relationship that should exist between shepherds and their sheep. It also recalls Peter’s point that elders are not to drive the sheep with a domineering hand, but are to be “examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3).
By and large, the qualifications or virtues for overseers/elders/shepherds (read carefully 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) are virtues that all Christian men should possess. Church leaders must exemplify what all members of the congregation should be. As we identify men to serve as elders, we must ask, “Are these men who exemplify the lives all of us should live?”
The terms for these congregational leaders most often appear in the New Testament in the plural (elders, overseers, shepherds). This points to a group of men serving a congregation. The eldership is a shared responsibility. No single person oversees a church. Consequently, men who serve in this role must be able to work well with others, each contributing his part to the work of the whole. The eldership is no place for anyone’s personal agenda.
As we identify potential overseers, we must also ask ourselves, “Are these men to whose collective judgment and leadership we are willing to submit?” Peter admonishes the younger to submit to the elders (1 Pet. 5:5), and the writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb. 13:17).
Finally, elders should be righteous men of prayer. James 4:14-18 urges one who is sick to call for the elders to pray over him. The prayer the elders offer must be “the prayer of faith” and the “prayer of (righteous men).” No elder is righteous on his own merit. But men who have been made righteous (justified) by faith in Christ, join in prayer for members of the congregation who have special needs. This is one way they fulfill Paul’s admonition that elders should “help the weak” (Acts 20:35). As we search for men to serve as elders, we must seek men to whom we are willing to say, “Pray for us.”
When we engage in this very important process, your elders ask for your prayers — prayers for wisdom. From the list of men that the congregation recommends, we want to select those who are willing to serve and shepherd the congregation, who are widely known, who will be able to work well with the existing overseers, and who may have talents and demonstrated experience in particular ministry areas that need their oversight.
In addition to prayers for wisdom, we also seek your prayers that the providential will of God may be done. When a successor to Judas was being selected, two men, Joseph and Matthias, met the qualifications. The brothers prayed, “Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen” (Acts 1:23-24). They proceeded to cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias who was then numbered among the apostles. Your elders will not cast lots as the early apostles did. However, we want God’s will to be done. Please pray to that end.
The College Church of Christ Elders