Duties of the Elder

The responsibilities of the elder/pastor/bishop may be learned from the New Testament in three ways: from the names given to them, from their qualifications, and from specific instructions given to them.

Each name given to the congregational leader suggest something different but one enriches the other.

(1) The title "elder" indicates honor. The idea behind this is age, wisdom and experience and this title tells us that we ought to recognize them by their example. These people preserve a tradition, they are the example and the fountain of knowledge. In the Old Testament, the elders of Israel were the interpreters and the teachers of the law.

(2) The title "bishop" suggest a manager, administrator or supervisor. The roots of this word seem to be behind the idea of being a "steward" as in the overseer of property that is someone who takes care of property belonging to another.

(3) The title "shepherd" (pastor) indicates a person with in charge of the care for the well being of others. This person is responsible for protection and feeding. The imagery evokes the picture of a shepherd leading and sheep following (cf. John 10:4).

The importance of understanding those titles explains why we have the precise qualifications for Elders found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Certain qualities are desired in those qualifications because certain responsibilities are to be meet. There is a correlation between the qualifications and the duties to be preformed. The overseer" must not be a recent convert" (1Tim.36) means the individual must be a tried and experience, and proven leader. Why did I say proven? He must be able to "manage his own household will (1 Tim. 3:4) and that is the proof. This individual ought to be able to do for the church what he did for his household. He must be "hospitable" (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8). Why is obvious it seems. What ever this person has done at home, he can do at the assembly.

We will have more to say on qualifications as we go.

Responsibilities of the Congregation to the Elder

         17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

There isn't a great deal written about this subject. Dr. Ferguson has written about this matter so we will use some of his comments and other Bible passages.

First Tim. 5:18 lays down the principle that it is proper to provide financial support for those elders who "labor" who devote their time to the work of leading and teaching people.

18For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

Moreover, respect for elders requires that an accusation against one of them must be supported by evidence of two or three witness (1 Tim. 5:19). This apparently is an extenson of Matt. 18:15ff. 

19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

Any and all matters regarding sinning Elders are to be done in public. (absolutely no secret meetings)

20Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

It should be noticed here that the maximum punishment for the Elder is a public rebuke. To my knowledge, there are no Biblical means to remove an Elder.

Other instructions about the responsibilities of the people to their leaders do not employ the words for Elders/Bishops/Pastors/ but there are other passages that stress those responsibilities. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 commands the people to "respect" (know, and recognize) their leaders and to "esteem them highly in love." Hebrews 13:7 says to "obey" (trust in, follow) and "submit" (yield) to leaders while imitating their faith.

These instructions are to be understood in relation to the principles of servant-leadership presented above and Jesus' teaching about the attitudes of leaders (Luke 22:25-26). A people voluntarily submitting to those in whom they recognize the moral and spiritual leadership they want to follow is not the same as leaders insisting on being obeyed because of their position. The authority of elders/bishops/pastors (they are all the same) is the moral authority that comes from their loving service, their example, the their spiritual knowledge and experience.