Biblical elders stand first and stand fast on the eternal truths of God.
Like all followers of Jesus, they model Spirit-empowered living, embrace their own brokenness, obey the Word, contribute to the work of the church and impact the world around them.
Elders answer to God for the success or failure of the church, 1 Tim 5.17, they "direct the affairs of the church", and 1 Tim 3.5, "take care of God's church." This is not about bricks and mortar, but the people, the very church of the living God - all who have trusted in Christ by faith. Nor is this about the micro-management of every detail, but about overseeing the direction and results of the church, keeping it on task and right-minded toward God, His Word and His spirit. Broadly, the purpose of the church is 1. the worship of God, 2. the proclamation of God's word, especially the gospel, and 3. the training the body for works of service.
In the New Testament, the role of pastors and elders are identical. There is no distinction between what the pastor does and what elders do.
John Calvin wrote "No member of the body of Christ is endowed with such perfection as to be able, without the assistance of others, to supply his own necessities." This applies to elders, and the diaconate as well. Genuine community in the fellowship of Christ is not optional, we are urged to participate, even create it, in many of the NT epistles and the gospels.
We all need Biblical elders.
May God's glory be evident in His Church as we worship, instruct and train.
Like all followers of Jesus, they model Spirit-empowered living, embrace their own brokenness, obey the Word, contribute to the work of the church and impact the world around them.
Elders answer to God for the success or failure of the church, 1 Tim 5.17, they "direct the affairs of the church", and 1 Tim 3.5, "take care of God's church." This is not about bricks and mortar, but the people, the very church of the living God - all who have trusted in Christ by faith. Nor is this about the micro-management of every detail, but about overseeing the direction and results of the church, keeping it on task and right-minded toward God, His Word and His spirit. Broadly, the purpose of the church is 1. the worship of God, 2. the proclamation of God's word, especially the gospel, and 3. the training the body for works of service.
In the New Testament, the role of pastors and elders are identical. There is no distinction between what the pastor does and what elders do.
John Calvin wrote "No member of the body of Christ is endowed with such perfection as to be able, without the assistance of others, to supply his own necessities." This applies to elders, and the diaconate as well. Genuine community in the fellowship of Christ is not optional, we are urged to participate, even create it, in many of the NT epistles and the gospels.
We all need Biblical elders.
May God's glory be evident in His Church as we worship, instruct and train.