What is an Elder?: A 30,000-foot Overview

We’ve already looked at what the Bible has to say about deacons, but what is an elder? Who is a pastor? Who is an overseer? Who is a shepherd? The New Testament uses these terms interchangeably. There can be many definitions as there are many religions and denominations. What is supreme is that which the Bible states as the definition, not what inferior human intellect has to say. What this person does may vary from church to church, however, the overall job description is the same. An elder, the term which will be used here, is a Christian man of character who can teach and defend the Bible and an elder’s purpose is to shepherd and care for the flock to which God has given them.

“If one does not have the conviction of faith, then they cannot hold the office of elder.”

Imperative Prerequisites

Before any discussion begins concerning what an elder does and what qualifies them, two crucial conditions must be met. They could be called qualifications before the qualifications. In other words, no one would even be considered for the office of elder if these are not met. The first condition is obvious in that this person must be a believer in Christ. Hebrews 13:7, which has many implications concerning elders, states, “remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” What is in view here is the latter part of this verse, “and imitate their faith.” The word faith comes from the Greek word pistis meaning “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.”

¹“G4102 – Pistis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (Esv).” Blue Letter Bible, n.d. If one does not have the conviction of faith, then they cannot hold the office of elder.

The second condition that must be met is that the believer must be male. “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet” (1 Tim. 2:12). Again, Hebrews chapter thirteen is in view. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb. 13:17). Christians are called to submit to their God appointed leaders. Leaders are those who have authority over those to which they lead. Although some debate exists as to whether women can be elders, to which that topic is beyond the scope here, a contextual reading of Scripture is clear that women are not permitted to hold the office of elder.

Biblical Qualifications for the Office of Elder

Once the initial qualifications are met there are several specific biblical qualifications that must also be met. It is important to note that any qualified man who is being considered for the office of elder or is already serving as an elder, is not expected to be perfect. No person, no matter how righteous they may be, is not without sin (Rom. 3:23). However, qualifications have been put in place, so that those who are in the position of church leadership would be examples of the same qualifications they are held to. These qualifications can be found in both 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1:

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9)

In short, the biblical qualifications for an elder, consist of character qualifications and the qualification to teach sound doctrine. “Most of the biblical qualifications relate to the candidates moral and spiritual qualities. The first and overarching qualification is that of being ‘above reproach.’ What is meant by ‘above reproach’ is defined by the character qualities that follow the term.”

²Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Rev. and Expanded. Littleton, Colo: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995, 74. In other words, being above reproach, means that there is no sin that can mar their character. An elder is not known to be sinless, but they are also not known by their sin. This speaks to the character of the person. Are they known, in their character, to be a godly man or are they known for their sin.

When the congregation looks at an elder do they see somebody who lives out their life in a godly way or are they known for being quarrelsome, or a lover of money? “Paul expressed his concern to the Corinthians that he should never himself be disqualified from the prize after having preached to others that they should strive after it (1 Corinthians 9:26-27).”

³Prime, Derek, and Alistair Begg. On Being a Pastor: Understanding Our Calling and Work. Edited by Cheryl Dunlop. Revised and Expanded edition. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004, 36. No person is qualified to be an elder if there is sin in their lives that mars or tarnishes their character. The specific qualifications that follow the statement “above reproach” are those things that an elder’s character should be known for, or they are known not to participate in depending on the qualification.

“In short, the job description of an elder, is to oversee, to shepherd the people of God.”

A Christian is to be known for their character and uphold all the character qualifications of an elder. It could be said that every Christian should aspire to be elder qualified even if there is no desire to be an elder. However, this alone does not make them an elder. To be qualified to be an elder requires them to be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2) “in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). “Able to teach” goes beyond the ability to communicate, although it includes communicating that which is biblical and the ability to refute error. Again, this is a qualification that all Christians should be known. 1 Peter 3:15 states that the believer should always be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” However, an elder is to be especially known for being able to make a defense. In this way, along with their character, an elder is to be an example to those in the congregation.

Biblical Job Description of the Office of Elder

Christ is the Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep and gives His life for them (John 10:11-16). In this Christ sets the example for the elders, the under-shepherds, who are called to shepherd the flock, those in their congregations. When it comes to the job description of an elder, the term overseer and shepherd comes into view. An elder is called to shepherd the flock among them, those in their local church. “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Pet. 5:2). In short, the job description of an elder is to oversee, to shepherd the people of God.

So then, what is a shepherd? A shepherd is one who cares and guards the sheep. A shepherd guides the sheep to good pastures where there is plenty of food and water. A shepherd seeks to make sure that the sheep are healthy. In other words, a shepherd tends the sheep.

The title “pastor” (Eph 4:11) is simply another term used to describe an elder or overseer, and the word pastor means “shepherd.” Because the people of God are referred to figuratively as “sheep,” those who tend to their needs and exercise leadership over them are figuratively called “shepherds.” Peter exhorted the elders to “shepherd God’s flock among you” (1 Pet 5:2). Thus, elders lead the people of God as a shepherd leads a flock of sheep. This is a significant analogy. Church leaders are not cowboys who drive the sheep. Rather, they are caring shepherds who lead and protect the sheep. Furthermore, the shepherd’s primary task is not to run an organization but to care for people’s souls. A pastor is not primarily a motivator, administrator, or program facilitator but a shepherd.

Working off this definition the next question is what does shepherding, biblically speaking, practically look like? First, an elder shepherds as instructed by the Word of God and with the authority given to them by the same Word. “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). The word “rule” implies a setting or presiding over. Hebrews 13:17 is clear in that church leaders are to be obeyed. Both texts show that “God has clearly delegated a measure of authority to elders to direct affairs of local congregations.”

Elders equip so that the church would grow in Christlikeness, build itself up in love and “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).

Second, an elder shepherds by equipping the believers for the work of the ministry to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). The apostle Paul makes the purpose of equipping and building clear. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:15-16). Elders equip so that the church would grow in Christlikeness, build itself up in love and “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). How this looks specifically is in the regular preaching of Scripture when the church gathers on each Lord’s Day. How this looks generally, concerning church programs, will vary from church to church depending on their needs and resources. Both are directed and guided by the authority of the elders. Whether formal public instruction or informal instruction, elders teach truth and equip the believers in their care.

Although much more could be said, concerning who elders are and what they do, it is clear from Scripture that they are men of character who teach and defend the Word of God and care for those who are in their charge. “As keepers of sheep, New Testament elders are to protect, feed, lead, and care for the flock’s many practical needs.”

⁶Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Rev. and Expanded. Littleton, Colo: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995, 17. It is because of the needs of the sheep that a shepherd is required. Those who have both the character and teaching qualifications, who are given authority by God, through His Word, are to love, care, and tend His sheep.