stephen R Harrison

These lessons are excerpts from my book The Biblical Elder: A 12-Week Journey in Biblical Eldership. Buy that book HERE

Elders are vital to the local church. Through prayer and fasting, the Apostle Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church they started and encountered. Before giving several qualifications and responsibilities of an elder, the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus, “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”  On the necessity of elders functioning well in the local church, Jeremy Rinne said, “Almost all of the New Testament authors address elders. There are more than a dozen texts. It became clear to me that Christlike elders are not an optional church feature; they are central to God’s plan for shepherding His churches.” 

Discussion Questions

1. Why are elders important to the local church?
2. Why do some churches not follow a biblical model of eldership?

The Call of an Elder

Jeremiah 3:15 says, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you

with knowledge and understanding.”  The role of the elder is not to be filled with volunteers looking for a place to serve but by faithful, qualified, and called men who have been appointed by other elders in the local church. An elder is a biblical office and a calling from the Lord. 1 Timothy 3:1 says, “The saying is trustworthy, if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”  A man should have an inner passion and hunger to shepherd the flock of God. Just because someone wants to be an elder does not mean they should be one. While one can grow (aspire) in an understanding of elder qualities and responsibilities, a potential elder must have the desire to be an elder. While God can spark the desire to be an elder as you grow in understanding eldership, someone who has no desire whatsoever to be an elder should never become one.  

Discussion Questions

1. Do you sense a clear call from the Lord to be an elder? How do you know?
2. Why would you want to be an elder?
3. What are your hesitancies in becoming an elder?
4. What strengths do you believe you would offer as an elder?

Examining the Call Towards Eldership

Installing the wrong men to lead the church can damage the church’s mission, vision, unity, and Gospel effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and train the right men for the calling and office of elders in the local church. If an elder who has been improperly assessed or is unbiblically unqualified must be removed, it can be detrimental to that elder and their church. Because this must be done correctly, not only must the potential elder and the elder mentor sense a clear calling from the Lord, but the entire elder body must also be fully convinced. This means much time must be taken to pray, evaluate, discuss, study the Word, and hear what the Lord is saying concerning His local church. 

An elder’s responsibilities are a primary priority in life, not something to do if time permits.  Eldership is not a hobby. The commitment of an elder will require sacrifice and involvement beyond regular service in the church. An elder must know how to properly balance a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord, family, work, and other life demands. An elder should walk in their calling daily, not just in once-a-month meetings or on Sundays. A potential elder may feel called to be an elder, but their present circumstances or life stage may necessitate delaying this calling to best serve the local church. 

An elder should have the support of their wife and children. Their family must also sense a calling on the elder’s life and understand and share the desire for him to be an elder. The elder will need to dedicate sufficient time to oversee the church and shepherd the flock. There is nothing worse than an unsupportive spouse or a bitter family for the elder. This does not mean the elder’s family is second place to the church, as the elder is to make his family the top priority of discipleship and shepherding. The elder’s wife must feel called to support her husband as an elder.  If this calling and confirmation do not exist, perhaps giving more time for the potential elder’s wife and family to get in sync is necessary.  If the potential elder’s wife is completely unsupportive, the elder should not proceed with training. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How important is it to install elders slowly and methodically?
2. What could happen if elders are installed too quickly?
3. How important is it for the elder’s spouse and family to be supportive?
4. What could happen if an elder’s family is unsupportive?