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If your church is planning to honor your pastor, our pastor’s anniversary planning guide has practical ideas for doing it well.

By Brent Lacy

In many small churches, the terms “elder” and “deacon” are used interchangeably. In others, elders are the governing board and deacons are the servants. In still others, there are no elders at all.

The confusion is understandable. The New Testament uses several terms, and different church traditions have organized these roles differently for centuries.

This guide focuses on the elder as a governing and teaching leader in the church, distinct from the deacon’s servant role. Adjust for your tradition as needed.

The Biblical Foundation

The New Testament uses three terms that are often translated as “elder”: presbuteros (elder), episkopos (overseer or bishop), and poimen (shepherd or pastor). In most New Testament contexts, these terms refer to the same office with different emphases.

The elder is a shepherd. The word poimen is the same word used for Jesus as the Good Shepherd. An elder’s primary calling is to know the flock, feed the flock, protect the flock, and lead the flock.

The Qualifications

1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 give the most complete list of elder qualifications. They are almost entirely character-based.

• Above reproach, a reputation that cannot be legitimately attacked
• Husband of one wife, faithful in marriage
• Sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable
• Hospitable, genuinely welcoming to others
• Able to teach, not necessarily a gifted preacher, but capable of instructing from Scripture
• Not a drunkard, not violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money
• Managing his household well
• Not a recent convert
• Well thought of by outsiders

Notice what is not on the list: business experience, financial expertise, or tenure in the church. The qualifications are about character and spiritual maturity.

What Elders Do

The elder’s role has three primary functions.

1. Govern the church.

Elders provide oversight and direction for the congregation. They make major decisions about the church’s direction, finances, and personnel. They are accountable to the congregation and to God for the health of the church.

2. Teach and preach.

Elders are responsible for the doctrinal health of the congregation. This does not mean every elder preaches regularly. But every elder should be capable of teaching Scripture and correcting false doctrine when it arises.

3. Shepherd the congregation.

Elders know their people. They visit the sick, counsel the struggling, and pray for the congregation by name. In a small church, this shepherding function is often shared between the pastor and the elder board.

The Elder-Pastor Relationship

In most small churches, the pastor is also an elder. The relationship between the pastor and the elder board is one of the most important dynamics in the church.

A healthy elder-pastor relationship is characterized by:

• Mutual respect. The elders respect the pastor’s calling and expertise. The pastor respects the elders’ authority and wisdom.
• Clear role definition. Who makes what decisions? What requires elder approval? What is the pastor’s domain? These questions should be answered in writing before conflict arises.
• Regular communication. Elders and pastor meet regularly, not just for formal board meetings. Informal relationship prevents formal conflict.
• Accountability in both directions. The pastor is accountable to the elders. The elders are accountable to the congregation and to God.

Common Mistakes New Elders Make

• Confusing governance authority with personal authority. The elder board has authority. Individual elders do not.
• Making decisions outside of board meetings. Major decisions require the full board, not individual elders acting unilaterally.
• Neglecting the shepherding role. Elders who only govern and never shepherd are missing the heart of the role.
• Sharing confidential information. What is discussed in elder meetings stays in elder meetings.
• Staying in the role too long without accountability. Elders should have term limits or regular affirmation processes.

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