What’s the Work of An Elder?
The Bible uses words like “elders” (Tit. 1:5), “overseers” (1 Tim. 3:1), and “shepherds” (Eph. 4:12) to describe the same leaders (cf. Acts 20:17,28; Tit. 1:5,7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Each tells us about the role.
The word “elder” means an older man, but throughout the history of Israel and the church, “elder” often refers to an appointed group of respected men (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5) giving guidance as a “council of elders” (1 Tim. 4:14). No wonder Paul directs Timothy not to appoint “a recent convert” (1 Tim. 3:6).
The word “overseer” (or “bishop”) describes those who supervise or watch over the group. So Paul says “an overseer” is “God’s steward” (Tit. 1:7), a managing caretaker of God’s church.
Finally, the word “shepherd” (or “pastor) pictures the leader as one who must “care for” the sheep (Acts 20:28). There’s a common misconception that an elder’s primary work is sitting in a room discussing problems. Decision-making is an important part of “exercising oversight” (1 Peter 5:1-4). But Peter’s central charge to his fellow elders was to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Pet. 5:2).
The main job of a shepherd is to tend to the sheep’s well-being. The shepherd leads them to lush, safe pastures, protects them, and tends to them when they fall or get stuck. The most famous picture of shepherding comes from David’s inspired pen in the 23rd psalm, where God, the Shepherd, uses his rod and staff to bring his sheep comfort as he leads them to pastures green by still waters.
Surely, not far behind Psalm 23 is Jesus’ description of himself as the good shepherd (John 10), who knows his sheep, calls them by name, and lays down his life for them. These are pictures of closeness, care, and courage. The shepherd will fight for the flock but also walk with the flock every day, knowing their needs and ensuring that they’re well-fed and healthy. Israel’s leaders were often called shepherds, so it’s no surprise that the motif continues as the Bible’s defining metaphor for leadership.
There are not enough hours in the day for an elder to be as deeply involved in every person’s life as they would like. And they certainly can’t force a relationship if we don’t invite it. But shepherding the flock requires shepherding individual sheep, praying for and with them, and talking about the challenges of the Christian life. The one-on-one teaching and support are as important as the public work and the decisions made on behalf of the group as a whole.
How Should We Approach the Qualifications?
When Paul wrote Timothy what an elder “must” be (1 Tim. 3:2), and he “directed” Titus to appoint elders, so these were not optional opinions from Paul. The two lists — while harmonious in their descriptions of a mature Christian leader’s character — differ. Together, they give us an authoritative portrait of the kinds of men we should seek as elders.
We might wonder, “Isn’t the most virtuous approach to bind the strictest possible interpretation?” But faithfulness is our goal. To allow Jesus to make the call, we strive to interpret the Lord’s directives accurately, not binding more than he binds or loosing anything he has bound. The Pharisees added the “commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9), trying to ensure the “safest” approach. Jesus didn’t consider that a faithful approach to Scripture. If we’re not careful, we can start to expect elders to be — like Mary Poppins in the old, Disney movie — “practically perfect in every way!” No, we have ONE perfect leader in heaven, but he has told us to appoint mature but fallible men.
One Christian recently shared with me that they used to view elders with almost papal regard, which created a distance that made it hard to interact well with them and led to a constantly critical viewpoint. As Paul and Barnabas said, “Why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you” (Acts 14:15). Elders are just guys who have given their lives to Christ (like us) and served him long enough to gain some spiritual maturity and influence.
How Should We Answer Difficult Questions About the Qualification?
Most of the qualifications are clear, but there are a few issues that sincere brethren have struggled to agree on.
1. Must an elder’s children be Christians? In the original language, pistos can mean either “trustworthy” (1 Tim. 1:12,15; 3:1,11; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:2,11,13; Titus 1:9; 3:8) or “believing” (1 Tim. 4:3,9,10,12,16; 6:2). If taken as “trustworthy” it describes children of good, reliable character, not necessarily Christians. This is probably the most challenging question to answer definitively, because there are such strong arguments in favor of each option. But since there is no qualifier for who the child is faithful to, I find it more likely that Paul and Titus would use this word (“believing/faithful”) to refer to people with faith in Christ. Therefore, I believe that an elder should have children who have become believers. Though the potential elder does not fully control this outcome, when a congregation sees a believing child, it demonstrates a father’s leadership bringing “them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
2. Must an elder have multiple children? In Hebrew, Greek, and English, the plural “children” is used to describe those with ANY number of kids (e.g., Gen. 21:7; notice how Deut. 25:5 is cited in Matt. 22:24). Imagine asking a new friend, “Do you have kids?” They tell you “no,” but later you find out they have a child. The most natural reading of the text would include any number of children.
3. Is “desiring the office” a qualification? Before starting the qualification list, Paul highlights a “trustworthy” saying, that “if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1). It is noble and — though it’s difficult — God wants elders to do it “with joy and not with groaning” (Heb. 13:17). But “desiring the office” is not in the qualification lists, so saying it that way can be misleading. Just because someone is hesitant to take the role doesn’t mean they’re unworthy of it. Rather, many of the best elders I’ve spoken to understood what this office entails and took it on with sober responsibility rather than eager enthusiasm. They were willing to serve their Lord by helping lead his people. Yet no one should take the job out of compulsion, but should do so voluntarily (1 Pet. 5:2-3). If you think someone would be great for the job, I would encourage you to express your confidence and support for that person. It can make a difference to know they’re not alone, to know they have support, and that brethren won’t see them as somehow different if they accept the position.
Note: For a continuation of this lesson, especially dealing with qualification questions, see the evening lesson.