Elders- Who are they?

Biblically, the focal point of all church leadership is the elder. It is the elders who are charged with teaching, feeding, and protecting the church, and it is the elders who are accountable to God on behalf of the church. (Acts 20:17, 28).

In the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Leaders of God’s people must exemplify purity, sacrifice, diligence, and devotion. With the tremendous responsibility of leading the flock of God comes potential for either great blessing or great judgment.

Biblical evidence points to elders and overseers as one and the same office.(Acts 20:17,28). Overseers and pastors are not distinct from elders; the terms are simply different ways of identifying the same people. The difference in terms is best understood to mean that elder emphasizes the dignity and honor of the office while overseer and pastor points out the function of the office. (1 Peter 5:1-2).

How are elders chosen? The New Testament clearly indicates that elders were uniquely set apart or appointed to their office. It is not so much that they are chosen or elected but that they are recognized by their qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-7) and that the Holy Spirit has raised them up (Acts 20:28). Elders were known and publicly recognized by the laying on of hands (I Thess. 5:12; I Tim. 5:22). In other words, the elder is known by the work he does and his fulfillment of the biblical requirements and not by election to a position.