What Do Elders (or Pastors) Do?
What are the qualifications for being an elder or pastor? And other questions.
I was planning to begin writing on another subject this week, and then come back later to explore more about elders and pastors. But the questions I’m receiving show there’s still more interest—at least from some of you! If you’re not quite fascinated with church leadership issues, please be patient. We’ll move on to other topics soon!
What do elders or pastors do?
A very logical question to address is: “So what exactly do elders do?” If our traditional understanding of the pastoral role wasn’t entirely accurate, what would be a biblical job description for these church leaders? We know they’re supposed to “shepherd” the church, but what does that actually look like?
Let me make one quick point of clarification regarding terminology. The Bible uses both the terms “elders” and “overseers” (traditionally “bishops”) for those who shepherd or pastor the local church. “Elders” is used more often in the New Testament, so when we’re discussing the biblical teaching on this leadership role, we tend to use this word. But in our culture today, the word “pastor” is most often used for our spiritual leaders, and “elder” often connotes the idea of a trustee or board-member. (To some people today referring to “the elders” can even sound vaguely cultic.)
To clearly communicate the church elders are the pastors of the church, many elder-led churches have adopted the use of the words “pastors” or “pastoral team” for their elders—meaning by this those who share in the pastoral ministry of the whole church. I’ve used the words somewhat interchangeably in recent posts, and will continue to do so. I just want to make sure you understand why.
This makes it even more important for us to understand what we mean by this pastoral ministry. So here’s a description of the ministry functions of the elders or pastors, as drawn from Acts 6:4; 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3:2, 5; 5:17; Titus 1:7-11; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
Pray for the church
The elders or pastors are to devote themselves to praying for the spiritual health and vitality of the people in the church, to lift up to God any needs of the people, and to pray for wisdom so they can provide the church with sound, biblical leadership, and to respond wisely and appropriately to opportunities and challenges the church faces.
Teach the church
Not every elder or pastor will serve in a regular teaching role in the church. But each must be able to clearly explain the gospel of Christ and core scriptural teachings, and all must be able to confront false teaching. Some of the elders or pastors will be dedicated to the ongoing teaching of the Word of God to the church, and the whole pastoral team shares in the responsibility to make sure the body is faithfully well-fed spiritually, so the people will grow as fully committed and mature followers of Christ.
Lead the church
The elders or pastors are to be continually seeking the will of God for the life of the church by constant prayer, study of the Scriptures, and wise consideration of the needs and opportunities of the church. They should regularly seek the input and counsel of others in the body, and then lead in applying biblical principles to specific situations and circumstances.
Care for the church
The elders or pastors should demonstrate loving concern for the spiritual well-being of the people in the church. Not every elder or pastor will actively serve in a regular, ongoing counseling ministry, but they should all be available, as needed, to pray with and counsel those in the body struggling with spiritual, emotional or physical problems.
Guard the church
The elders or pastors are to be constantly on guard against any false teaching or harmful behavior in the church. They must be able to refute false teaching and act decisively against any destructive activity.
Equip the church
The elders or pastors aren’t responsible for all the ministry within the church, but through their shepherding ministries (as described above) they’re to equip their brothers and sisters in the body to minister to each other and serve one another in love. The pastoral team should help the people discover their spiritual gifts, provide opportunities for them to use and strengthen their ministry skills, and train new elders or pastors.
A couple of additional points I think are important:
Not all elders or pastors will be equally gifted in every area of ministry. Some elders will be better leaders than teachers; some will be more suited to tending those who are hurting or struggling. Some will be excellent at teaching in small groups or one-on-one, but not at teaching in large group settings. This is healthy and one of the reasons why the biblical pattern is a team of leaders pastoring the church. The strength of the different elders or pastors will complement and balance each other. However, the whole pastoral team should be involved, in some way, in each of these areas of ministry.
Not all elders or pastors will serve as a full-time vocation. Some will be supported financially by the church, particularly those who devote great amounts of time to studying and teaching the Word of God (1 Timothy 5:17-18). However, each person on the pastoral team shares in the responsibility to shepherd the church of God, and no elder or pastor is to be elevated above the others. [Some would question whether it’s best for elders or pastors to be financially supported or not. We’ll explore this question next week.]
What are the qualifications for elders or pastors?
Here’s a description of the biblical qualifications for elders or pastors (those who shepherd the whole church), compiled from 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9:
Desire to serve: The desire to serve by shepherding or pastoring the church is an honorable one from God (see also 1 Peter 5:1-3). Elders or pastors who serve without a God-given desire won’t serve with their whole heart.
Above reproach or blameless: This doesn’t mean being perfect, but having a clean moral and spiritual reputation. There should be no current charge against any of the elders’ or pastors’ character that would disqualify them from service.
Faithful to his wife: Literally a one-woman man. This doesn’t mean elders or pastors must be married. But, if they are, they must be physically and mentally faithful to their spouse. They are above reproach in their sexual and marital life.
Exercising self-control: This describes people who are stable, clear-headed and demonstrate balanced judgment. Also those who aren’t overly indulgent in their personal lives.
Living wisely, disciplined: Those who aren’t rash, hasty or excessive in their decisions or actions. People who can finish what they start.
Loves what is good: Those who are attracted to what is good, wholesome and edifying rather than to what is perverse and corrupt.
Just: Those who are honest, law-abiding and upright.
Devout: Those who are strongly committed to God and his Word and who will not compromise biblical truth.
Having a good reputation or respectable: They present themselves well. They have orderly, well-arranged lives.
Enjoys having guests in his home: Genuinely welcoming people, those who enjoy welcoming others into their homes.
Able to teach, has a strong belief in the trustworthy message [of Scripture], able to encourage others with wholesome or sound teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong: This doesn’t mean elders or pastors must have the gift of teaching. However, those who shepherd the church must know the Word of God and be able to instruct others at some level: large groups, small groups or one-on-one.
Not a heavy drinker: This doesn’t mean elders or pastors can never drink alcohol, but if they do drink they should do so in moderation. An elder or pastor must not have a drinking problem or practice drunkenness.
Not violent or quick-tempered, but gentle: Not easily provoked, irritable or ready to resort to force. Not a “hothead” or someone with a serious problem with anger. People who are able to graciously yield, when appropriate, even though they’re being wronged. Those who don’t insist on their rights.
Not quarrelsome: People who are peacemakers. Those who don’t start arguments and aren’t eager to jump into them.
Not arrogant: Not overbearing, intimidating or hard to approach. Considerate of the opinions and feelings of others. Not headstrong or self-assertive.
Doesn’t love money, and not dishonest with money: Not greedy or overly focused on financial gain. Not controlled by a desire for a better lifestyle, but people who are generally content. Those who won’t manipulate people or situations for personal gain.
Manages his own family well, having children who respect and obey him, and his children don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious: This doesn’t mean elders or pastors must have children, but if they do, they must be responsible parents and providers. They must be aware of the condition and behavior of their children. They must be able to provide proper discipline when necessary. They aren’t required to have perfect children, but their children should be well-behaved and responsive to their parents’ leadership.
Not a new believer: An experienced Christian. Not a person young in the faith, no matter how talented, zealous or knowledgeable.
People outside the church speak well of him: Should not be vulnerable to gossip by non-Christians. Living an honorable life before all: family life, business life and community life.
A few more questions
Can women be elders or pastors?
This question requires much more than just a brief answer. In the near future, I’ll write a series of posts on the various Scriptures debated in the discussion on gender roles in the home and church. We’ll address this issue then.
How are elders or pastors trained?
We’ve been blessed with a great many wonderful scholars who teach in Christian universities and seminaries, and I’m very thankful for these incredible resources for the church. But throughout most of the history of the church, elders or pastors have been trained and equipped by actual elders or pastors in the context of the local church. I believe this is still the best way to train elders or pastors, and we provide this kind of training in our church. I’ll write much more about this in the future, as well.
How old does an elder or pastor have to be?
Scripture doesn’t give us a set age requirement for an “elder,” and it’s not appropriate for anyone to suggest such a standard for all churches. I believe strongly that churches should be multigenerational, and this should be reflected in the age range of the pastoral leaders of the church. I’ve been blessed to see older and younger elders or pastors listen to one another with great respect and appreciation. The older leaders listened to the ideas for change brought by the younger ones; and the younger leaders listened to the older ones’ experience on how to most wisely accomplish these changes.
This kind of diversity in the pastoral team provides both consistency and stability for the church, and also an openness to new ways of being biblically faithful in a changing cultural context. It helps a church be well-balanced—not too bound by tradition, but also not too quickly making radical changes without thinking them through.
So how old should someone be to serve as part of this kind of pastoral team? They should have enough experience and wisdom to be able to actively contribute to the pastoral leadership of the whole church. Each church will have to decide whether to establish a standard age requirement, or to evaluate each potential elder or pastor on a case-by-case basis. And this should be a natural part of an atmosphere or culture of continually training new teachers and leaders in the church.
Related posts:
Why We Don’t Have a Senior (or Lead) Pastor
Challenges to Team Pastoral Leadership
Should Elders (or Pastors) Be Financially Supported?