Elders: Christ’s Shepherds for His Church

Christ Governs His Church Through Elders

From the beginning, Jesus Christ has ruled His church through His Word and by His Spirit, working through leaders He appoints to shepherd His people. Elders—also called overseers or shepherds—are essential to the health, holiness, and mission of every local congregation. They are not administrators of an organization but shepherds of a family purchased by Christ’s blood.

Acts 20:28 says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

Biblical leadership is one of the core commitments of churches that seek to start, strengthen, and multiply healthy congregations. The church does not grow stronger through personality or structure but through faithful shepherding according to God’s design. When churches are led by qualified elders, the result is spiritual maturity, doctrinal stability, and mission clarity. When they are led poorly—or not led biblically—the witness of the gospel is weakened.

Therefore, understanding and practicing biblical eldership is not optional. It lies at the heart of Christ’s plan to govern His church.

The Three Biblical Terms for Elders

Scripture uses three terms to describe the same office of church leadership: elder, overseer, and shepherd.

Elder (Greek presbyteros) emphasizes spiritual maturity and wisdom. The term highlights character and experience, not merely age (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1).

Overseer (Greek episkopos) emphasizes responsibility—those who “watch over” the church as stewards of God’s household (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1–2; Titus 1:7).

Shepherd (Greek poimēn) describes the relational, pastoral role of caring for the flock through teaching, guidance, and protection (Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2–3).

These three terms describe the same office from different angles. Elders shepherd the flock by overseeing it with maturity and care. The New Testament makes no formal distinction between “pastors” and “elders”—every elder is a pastor, and every pastor is an elder.

This unified understanding protects the church from reducing leadership to management or charisma. Elders are not executives but examples, not controllers but caretakers. They lead under Christ, the Chief Shepherd, who feeds and guards His people until He returns (1 Pet. 5:4).

The Appointment of Elders

The appointment of elders followed a consistent apostolic pattern. In every newly established church, Paul and his coworkers identified and appointed elders to provide spiritual oversight and care.

Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Likewise, Paul instructed Titus, “The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5).

This pattern reveals that Christ intends every church—not just large or mature congregations—to have a plurality of qualified elders who shepherd His people. Their appointment is not a formality but a spiritual act involving prayer, discernment, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

In the ongoing mission to start, strengthen, and multiply churches, appointing elders remains essential. Planting a church without qualified elders is like building a house without a foundation. The goal is not merely to start new gatherings but to establish enduring congregations led by men who reflect the heart of the Chief Shepherd.

The Character and Qualifications of Elders

The New Testament outlines the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9, providing a portrait of mature Christian character.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 says, “This saying is trustworthy: ‘If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.’ An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.”

Paul’s list in Titus adds parallel requirements: “An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:6–9).

The qualifications fall into three broad categories, as Benjamin L. Merkle has noted:

Situational qualifications – abilities necessary for leadership, such as being able to teach and not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:2, 6; Titus 1:9).
Family qualifications – demonstrating faithfulness in the home, since the home is the proving ground for leadership in God’s household (1 Tim. 3:4–5; Titus 1:6).
Moral qualifications – displaying godly character, humility, and self-control in all relationships (1 Tim. 3:2–3; Titus 1:7–8).

This final category receives the most attention, reminding us that spiritual authority rests not on skill or charisma but on tested integrity.

Although not all Christians are called to be elders, all Christians benefit from studying these lists. They provide a portrait of mature discipleship—qualities every believer should pursue. Moreover, congregations share responsibility for identifying, affirming, and holding accountable those who meet these biblical standards.

Benjamin L. Merkle, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008), 104–107.

The Responsibilities of Elders

1. Shepherd the Flock

“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:1–4).

Elders are first and foremost shepherds. They lead by example, not domination; they serve willingly, not under compulsion; and they anticipate Christ’s reward, not earthly gain.

2. Teach and Exercise Authority

Paul wrote, “I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed” (1 Tim. 2:12–14). “Holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). “He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)” (1 Tim. 3:4–5).

Elders are responsible for the faithful teaching of Scripture and the right exercise of authority in the church. Their authority is ministerial, not absolute—derived from the Word of God and exercised for the good of the flock.

3. Equip the Saints for Ministry

Paul taught that Christ “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness” (Eph. 4:11–13).

Elders prepare believers to serve in ministry, ensuring that the whole body grows in unity, maturity, and likeness to Christ.

4. Protect the Church from Error

Paul warned the Ephesian elders, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears” (Acts 20:28–31).

Elders defend the church from false teaching, moral corruption, and divisive influences, standing watch as vigilant guardians of the flock.

5. Care for the Sick and Suffering

James 5:14–16 says, “Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

Elders demonstrate compassionate care for those in need, ministering through prayer, presence, and the application of the gospel to every circumstance.

The Importance of a Plurality of Elders

There are many reasons for establishing and maintaining a plurality of elders, while a single-elder model has corresponding disadvantages.

A plurality of elders is biblical (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
A plurality of elders provides greater span of care and authority across evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development.
A plurality of elders enables accountability to biblical standards of conduct, doctrine, and leadership.
A plurality of elders displays greater diversity in gifts, wisdom, and perspective (1 Cor. 12; Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).
A plurality of elders provides continuity of leadership during transitions.
A plurality of elders ensures mentoring and succession of new leaders.
A plurality of elders equips the church to resist spiritual opposition (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:10–20).

Guidance for Elders and Congregants

Elders serve in a unique office, but they share the same identity in Christ as all believers.
Elders must remain teachable and accountable to the congregation (1 Tim. 5:19).
Elders must model the life they teach, and congregants should imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7).
Elders must lead courageously under Scripture and the Spirit, and congregants should follow willingly (Heb. 13:17).
Elders should gather regularly for prayer, vision, and planning, addressing key questions such as:
- How can we make disciples of all nations?
- How can we equip the congregation to evangelize, disciple, and care for one another?
- How can we protect the church from internal and external threats?

The Reward and Accountability of Elders

Faithful elders labor under the eye of Christ. He will appear as the Chief Shepherd to evaluate their service and reward those who have cared well for His flock. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4).

Elders also serve under sober accountability. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

This dual reality—eternal reward and divine evaluation—calls them to serve with humility, diligence, and joy.

Reflection and Action Questions

What does Acts 14:23 teach about the pattern of appointing elders in every church?
How do the three biblical terms—elder, overseer, shepherd—together describe the heart of biblical leadership?
Which of the elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 challenge you most personally?
How can congregations actively support the process of identifying, affirming, and developing elders?
Why is a plurality of elders vital for the health and resilience of the church?
How does the example of the Chief Shepherd shape both the attitude and actions of those who lead?
What steps can your church take to strengthen its leadership structure in alignment with the apostolic pattern?
In what ways can you pray for and encourage your elders this week?