Church Elders
Speaking only from my experience in the evangelical churches I grew and served in I share with you the role of elders within a church body. As a child you see quiet men with stone serious faces stand in front of church accepting the responsibility of elder, but usually do not know the context. The position of elders within the church arose from a need for structure as the gospel of Jesus was spreading. Pastors, the apostles, needed help to minister to so many and teach them all, but needed to make sure the ones doing so would not taint the Word of God. I Timothy 3:2-7 tells us the characteristics used to choose an elder, or overseer, for a church:
- Above reproach
- temperate
- self-controlled
- respectable
- hospitable
- able to teach
- have control over alcohol
- gentle (not violent)
- avoids quarrels
- not a lover of money
- good manager of own family (only 1 wife)
- well respected
- believer for a long time
- good general reputation with others
If ALL of these characteristics are not in place, a person should not become an elder. (though fallenness is unavoidable, but you get the idea…it’s serious!) There is a spiritual maturity that goes along with this position in a church. An elder is an extension of the pastor even when it comes to teaching and ministering. Elders oversee the church as a whole and provide a trusted group of individuals for a pastor to go to for discernment and direction as well. Elders are made to help, not restrict, and are chosen very carefully with prayer.
Length of an elder term differs with each church. Some denominations appoint elders for life, others three years, and still others one. I’m not certain how each group determines the length of term biblically, but none the less the position of elders is important in a church. They are there to uphold the biblical integrity of a community and are a resource to the pastor. I encourage all of you, if you belong to a church community, to get to know your appointed elders. Learn ways you can pray for them as they assist the pastor and are held to a very high standard.
