What is a Congregation Elder?

Introduction

In the Bible we are told of various positions within the early Christian congregations.

Firstly, the disciples of Yeshua (Jesus), known as the Apostles. These are the founding members of Christianity, hand chosen by Yeshua, and are the ones who for the most part wrote the New Testament of the holy scriptures.

But we are also told of others beside the Apostles who are in positions of Congregational teaching and leadership:

• “This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer, he is desirous of a fine work…” – 1 Timothy 3:1
• “Keep on giving these commands and teaching them. Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness. While I am coming, continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not be neglecting the gift in you that was given you through a prediction and when the body of older men laid their hands upon you. Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons. Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you”. – 1 Timothy 4:11-16
• “Let the older men who preside in a fine way be reckoned worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching“. – 1 Timothy 5:17
• “Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith. Be persuaded to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you”. – Hebrews 13:7, 17
• “Paul and Timothy, servants of [the] Anointed Yeshua, To all God’s holy people in [the] Anointed Yeshua at Philippi, together with the overseers and servants. – Philippians 1:1
• “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them”. – Acts 6:3

Formal Positions: Overseers & Servants

As we can see, we are informed that there are “Overseers”, of which derives from the Greek term; ἐπισκόποις (episkopos) in which some modern churches translate as “Bishop” or “Pastor”, and we also have “Servants” which is derived from διακόνοις (diakonois), which is often translated as “Deacon”.

We are also told on several accounts of men known as “Elders”, which in Greek is known as πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros) and is the origin of the term “Presbyter”, used in many churches, as well as the word “Priest” in modern English due to the historical Catholic application of the term. 

In the Bible and many of the earliest Christian texts, it appears this is an alternate term for either an Overseer, or a Servant, as opposed to a separate position all of itself.  It is helpful to note, that the term “Elder”, which uses the same Greek term in the Septuagint, and in Hebrew; “Zaquen”, has been used previously in the Old Testament also, to refer to “older men” or “mature men” (Isaiah 9:15), thus it seems likely that the terms “Elder” and “older men” merely refers to appointed ones in the congregations in general who have the position of being “older brother” or “brothers of higher responsibility”, as seems to be the case where the words are seemingly being used interchangeably at Titus 1:5-9.

Likewise we also see a similar phrase in Titus 2:3 which is often overlooked in regard to female teachers in the Congregation, which is πρεσβῦτις (presbutis), meaning “older women”.

Understanding the terms “Overseer” and “Servant”, we see that these ones are placed in position to “oversee” and “serve” the congregations, and are recognised to be the “elder” or “more mature” of the Congregation.

Overseers

The Overseers typically are ministers or teachers, and by the meaning of the term, they are those who typically take charge of or “oversee” administration over an entire localised congregation’s events and keeping watch over the flock’s needs.

Servants

Meanwhile, Servants are likely to be assistants to the Overseers, practically carrying out their arrangements, or simply helping in other ways in an official manner with their various gifts, such as setting up the Lord’s Meal, assisting the sick, distributing means the needy, and so on (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28). 

Whether these be formal or informal “titles” in the early Christian Congregation is uncertain and debated amongst various Christians and scholars today, but it would certainly imply a form of organisation or arrangement within the early Congregation, and by the second century, these positions certainly became to be recognised as positions of certain authority and responsibility.  

Throughout later Christian history, by the 3rd Century, we see over time more ranks, titles and positions in the congregations appearing, positions such as “Priests”, and a distiniction of the title of “Elder” seperated from its former universal use for all appointed men and women. However, these later terms and more distinct positions were never used by the Apostles, nor by any of the earliest Christians.

Responsibilities & Roles of Elders

1 Timothy 3:4-5, and Titus 1:9 tell us the main roles Elders are teaching and presiding over the “household”.

The recomendation that Elders also have good control over their personal households and children reveals that the role of an Elder involves looking after the Congregation in the same way a father or mother would take good care of their personal homes. Providing food, keeping everything clean, paying the bills, keeping things orderly, and overall taking care of everyone and keeping them safe.

This means that Eldership entails the responsibility of:

• Teaching others the Gospel and Scripture
• Defending the faith
• Watching over the Congregation and its needs (both spiritual and physical)
• Comforting and counseling others
• Giving out warnings to those sliding into sinfulness
• Arranging and presiding over worship sessions
• Assisting and mediating in any community disputes

Whilst all Christians can do these things for one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18, Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 14:26), an Elder is an individual who actively dedicates their lives to such roles, sacrificing the majority of their time and energy to such, and is someone officially recognised to be ordained to be for their congregation.

Qualifications to be an Elder

In 1 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 2 and Titus 1-2, we are given the qualifications of both Overseers and Servants:

• “This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer, he is desirous of a fine work.  The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach,  not a drunkard, not violent, but reasonable, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money,  a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having his children in subjection with all seriousness (for if any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?), not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up with pride and fall into the judgment passed on the Devil.  Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from outsiders so that he does not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil. Servants should likewise be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in a lot of wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, holding the sacred secret of the faith with a clean conscience. Also, let these be tested as to fitness first; then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation“. – 1 Timothy 3:1-10
• “For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed”. – 2 Timothy 2:24-25
• “I left you in Crete so that you would correct the things that were defective and make appointments of male elders in city after city, as I instructed you: if there is any man free from accusation, a husband of one wife, having believing children who are not accused of debauchery or rebelliousness. For as God’s steward, an overseer must be free from accusation, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy of dishonest gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sound in mind, righteous, loyal, self-controlled, holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by the teaching that is wholesome and to reprove those who contradict. – Titus 1:5-9
• “Male elders are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Female elders likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled“. – Titus 2:3-5
• “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly”. – James 3:1

As we can see an Elder must have the qualifications; to be in good moral standing, mature, mentally sound, and to be adhering all of the Lord’s commands for Christians. An example to the community, not in words but in action.

And as much as he should openly be above accusation from others publicly, he also for the sake of his own salvation should be above accusation in his own heart, and not committing or living a life of secret sin, lest he come under harsh judgement from Yeshua and God. Thus, even if a congregation wishes for a man to serve as an Elder for their local flock, he himself should be honest in his worthiness before taking up the position.

Shepherds, Not Leaders

It is important to note the context of “Christian leadership” and organisation, through the lens of Lord Yeshua’s words in Matthew 23, who says we are “not to be called leaders” or “masters”.

• “But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Anointed. But the greatest one among you must be your minister. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted“. – Matthew 23:8-21
• “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”. – John 13:13-17
• “Therefore, to the older men among you I give this exhortation…  Shepherd the flock of God in you care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock…. In like manner, you younger men, be in subjection to the older men. But all of you gird yourselves with lowliness of mind toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones”. – 1 Peter 5:1-5
• “Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!” – 1 Corinthians 4:6-8
• “But it’s God Himself who establishes us (and you also) in the Anointed One, and who anointed us… Not that we’re the masters of your faith – rather, we’re [just] your cheerful helpers. Indeed, you stand upon [your own] faith“. – 2 Corinthians 1:21, 24
• “…you are seeking for proof of the Anointed [One] who speaks in me… Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith… But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth”. – 2 Corinthians 13:3,5-8

Under the Authority of the Lord’s Spirit, Not Man’s

Our Lord Yeshua tells us no Christian is seen to be superior to another, with any sense of overriding authority, with exception to a command given by inspiration of the infallible holy spirit, in which such a case, a Christian is speaking either God’s or Yeshua’s words, not their own.

We see in scripture, that the 1st Century Apostles had the right to tell other Christians what they could and could not do in their daily lives, only when under divine inspiration, for they did not speak their “own” words, they spoke “Yeshua’s words”, and in turn, “God’s words” (1 Corinthians 7:10).

When the Apostles and Elders did speak their own words, we see they made it clear that it was so, as not to impose their own subjective opinions upon the brothers and sisters as if they were unquestionable commands (1 Corinthians 7:12, 25).

Yeshua states clearly that Elders are not “masters” of the Christian faith.

They therefore, if not under inspiration of the holy spirit, do not have the final say on what is or what is not a salvational matter, or unquestionable authority on matters of Biblical interpretation, they do not control the personal lives of the other members of the flock, nor are they to be judges declaring who will be saved and who will not be saved.

It is only the Lord Yeshua who we follow without question, and it is him alone whom our God and Father Yah has put in place as the true judge of the Congregation and world.

The only authority an Elder has over others, is being in the position of teaching them the words of the Lord and his Apostles as best as they can understand from scripture, but they also must be aware that if they are not prophets or inspired teachers, then they are also not infalible, and do well to be humble to others, despite their role as teachers and counselors.

Contemplating an Elder’s Conduct with Honour

We do well to remember that we are instructed in regard to those put in place as Elders that we are to honour their position of responsibility (1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:5).

We are also told however to make sure to “contemplate their conduct”, and to imitate them, only if we find them worthy of imitation. The litmus test of imitation being an Elder that has the fruitage of the Spirit and who they in themselves imitate our Lord and Master (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 11:1).

This therefore means we are not to be in unquestionable enslavement to Elders (Hebrews 13:7). The flock is not required to be submissive to Elders as “god-like individuals” or as “unquestionable masters of our faith and doctrine”.

Rather, both Elders and the Congregation, recognise that such formal “leadership” arrangements are simply in order that things run smoothly and orderly in the worship community.

It it best described in the manner that a family, or group of close friends work together in cooperation of a project. For example, in preparing for a family meal or a house party, one person may “take charge” of making the plans for the event and running the occasion, but they are not the “kings” or “masters” over their other friends or family members because of this (1 Corinthians 4:6-8).

We see a direct example of this principle in action at Acts 6, where the Congregation arrange for Elders to take the lead in logistic affairs, such as the distribution of food for the poor, but they were not lofted up as some kind of unquestionable authority.

To follow in the lead of the Congregation’s shepherds, is a matter of individual observation and conscience, and is not an arrangement of unquestionable totalitarian or autocratic church authority.

This is why the passage in Hebrews 13 (which many Bibles wrongly render as “obey”) says “be persuaded” (peitho), “convinced by”, or “persuaded to be trusting in”, those taking the lead, which is different from the rendition which plainly means to “obey” (peithrecheo), or be “under the authority of” (hupakouó).

“3982 peíthō(the root of 4102 /pístis, “faith“) – to persuade; (passive) be persuaded of what is trustworthy“.

3980peitharxéō (from 3982/peíthō, ” persuade” and 746/arxē, “what comes first“) – properly, persuaded of what must come first, i.e. what has priority (the higher authority).

Cognate: 5219 hypakoúō (from 5259 /hypó, “under” and 191 /akoúō, “hear”) – properly, to obey what is heard (literally, “under hearing”). See 5218 (hypakoē).

5219 /hypakoúō (“obey”) is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e. really listening to the one giving the charge (order). 5219 /hypakoúō (“to hearken, obey”) suggests attentively listening, i.e. fully compliant (responsive).

[5219 (hypakoúō) is an “intensification” of the simple verb “to listen” (191 /akoúō, “hear”).] – HELPS Word-studies

This means we are not to do everything an Elder says just because they say it, but only if it falls in line with the instructions and traditions of the Lord and his Apostles, of what we read in the scriptures. Hence, we are to “trust them under persuasion”.

The scriptures do not grant rights to uninspired Elders to force others to agree with their personal teachings, Bible interpretations, or arrangements, especially in non-salvational matters. Nor do they teach that the flock must unquestionably obey and serve their Elders to have Yeshua’s salvation

Paul confirms this, even as an inspired Apostle, when he writes to the Corinthians, expressing that whilst he is dissapointed in their critisicm and distrust of him, given the evidence of the holy spirit operating in both him and themselves (2 Corinthians 12:12), that they merely keep on following Yeshua as ‘individuals’ in the faith, even if they did not accept Paul as an Elder or Apostle:

• “But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we [the Apostles] may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed“. – 2 Corinthians 13:7

On the contrary, no scripture advocates “you go along with your leaders and their false teachings even if you know they are wrong”, but many scriptures say to keep away from false teachers, and those who make the uninspired commands of men into doctrines:

• “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “’Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues”. – Revelation 18:4
• “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons”. – 1 Corinthians 10:21
• “‘Why are you allowing your disciples to overstep the traditions of the elders?’… But Yeshua said to them; ‘…why do you overstep the Commands of God with your traditions? It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines’”. – Matthew 15:2-3,9
• “I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles“. – Revelation 2:2
• “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! …Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of [the] Anointed“. – Galatians 1:8-10
• “…some false brothers who looked down on the freedom we have in the Anointed Yeshua… wanted to make us their slaves… We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you”. – Galatians 2:4–5
• “When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong… when I saw that they were not really obeying the truth that is in the good news, I corrected Peter in front of everyone… – Galatians 2:11,14
• “Nor let the people flatter themselves that they can be free from the contagion of sin, while communicating with a priest who is a sinner, and yielding their consent to the unjust and unlawful office of their Overseer… On which account a people obedient to the Lord’s precepts, and fearing God, ought to separate themselves from a sinful offical, and not to associate themselves with the sacrifices of a sacrilegious priest/elder…”. – Cyprian of Carthage, Epistle 67:3

Limit of an Elder’s Authority & Role

Elders are not to “lord it over”, but are to be humble and open to the words, advice and concerns of others, be in matters of doctrine, teaching or other general matters of life (2 Timothy 2:24-25, 1 Peter 5:3).

The purpose of the Elders is not to rule, but to merely strengthen the faith of others, and to impart loving encouragement and scriptural reminders to their congregation. Elders are to be understood to be as “counselors” not “kings”.

Adopting an autocratic attitude would be in blatant disregard of Lord Yeshua’s command to “not be leaders or masters of the faith”, and as such, individuals who merely seek power over others should be watched with caution, that they are not becoming the creators of a “sect” or “cult”.

No Christian Elder may claim that a person can only approach God or Yeshua through “them” or by loyalty to “them”, nor can they set themselves up as an unquestionable authority over other Christians.

In Yeshua’s own words, he alone is the mediator between God and men. Salvation is not found in loyalty to any one man, group, or church, but only through the Anointed King and Saviour Yeshua.

• “Yeshua answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me‘.” – John 14:6
• “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man, [the] Anointed Yeshua“. – 1 Timothy 2:5
• “John said to Him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.’ ‘Do not stop him‘, Yeshua replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in my name can turn around and speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of [the] Anointed [One], truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward”. – Mark 9:38-40

Being Balanced & Humble

In contrast, however, we also should be wary that those in turn who do not wish to follow arrangements of the agreed upon leadership of a congregation, are not themselves those lacking humility, and are not merely troublemakers or jealous individuals who want positions of power or influence for ego driven attention, or to gain disciples after themselves, using accusation and projection as their tools of deceit, perhaps even seeking to become Sectarian themselves.

A balance is to be struck between refusing to submit to men’s commands, and merely refusing to be cooperative with congregation.

• “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves”. – 1 Peter 2:16

Whilst it is true that Elders are not masters or leaders of the faith, they ‘do’ have a certain level of authority and responsibility given to them over their “households”, that being the churches or places of congregating they oversee.

This authority includes the right to set times, dates, and the manner in the worship service is carried out. And it may also even at times include their right to kick certain troublesome members out of their local congregation or place of worship if agreed upon by the rest of the flock (though this is not to be confused with “condemning” the individual or deeming them unsaved, of which only the Lord can detirmine).

As such, as long as it can be observed that they are not contradicting teachings of Yeshua or his Apostles, they are to be honoured when it comes to their choices of how they see fit to arrange their congregational worship and teaching, and for the time they sacrifice in service of the flock.

Appointment of Eldership

Rather than being an unquestionable or all powerful top-down hierarchical church arrangement, the scriptures, as well as several later Christian writings, show that being appointed as a congregation’s Elder is by arrangement of congregational democracy.

We see this universal arrangement throughout several Bible passages and other later Christian writings:

• “So the Twelve summoned all the disciples… ‘Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom‘… This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.” – Acts 6:2-5
• “Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole congregation, decided to send chosen men from among them to Antioch, along with Paul and Barnabas; they sent Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers. They wrote this and sent it through them…” – Acts 15:22-23
• “Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the congregations for his work in the gospel. More than that, this brother was chosen by the congregations to accompany us with the offering— the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help”. – 2 Corinthians 8:18–19
• “Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Yeshua the Anointed, that there would be strife on account of the office of the Overseers. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect foreknowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other respected men, with the consent of the whole Congregation, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ, in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry… But we see that you have removed some men of excellent behaviour from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour“. – 1 Clement 44
• “You must, then, elect for yourselves Overseers and Servants who are a credit to the Lord, men who are gentle, generous, faithful, and well tried. For their ministry to you is identical with that of the prophets and teachers”. – Didache 15:1
• “Let the Overseer be ordained after he has been chosen by all the people. When he has been named and shall please all, let him, with the elder men and such Overseers as may be present, assemble with the people on a Sunday. While all give their consent, the Overseers shall lay their hands upon him…” – Hippolytus on Apostolic Traditions
• “…especially since they [the congregation] themselves have the power either of choosing worthy Priests/Elders, or of rejecting unworthy ones… And this is subsequently observed, according to divine instruction, in the Acts of the Apostles, when Peter speaks to the people of ordaining an apostle in the place of Judas. ‘Peter’, it says, ‘stood up in the midst of the disciples, and the multitude were in one place’. Neither do we observe that this was regarded by the Apostles only in the ordinations of Overseers and Priests/Elders, but also in those of Servants, of which matter itself also it is written in their [book of] Acts; ‘And they twelve called together, it says, the whole congregation of the disciples, and said to them‘, which was done so diligently and carefully, with the calling together of the whole of the people, surely for this reason, that no unworthy person might creep into the ministry of the altar, or to the office of a Priest/Elder.”. – Cyprian of Carthage, Epistle 67:3–4

We can see that Elders are not “self-appointed”, but rather are appointed by the Congregation as a whole in agreement, as a matter of wholesome and unified arrangement, and this was done both in the 1st century when the Apostles were living, and afterward by early Christians amongst the congregations who succeeded them.

Only in some cases do we see some scriptures which appear to show individual Apostles appointing Elders in congregations, but this clearly is done by the means of the authority of those who were put in place by Yeshua himself (Apostles), and were inspired by the gifts of the holy spirit:

• “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them”. – Acts 13:2-3
• “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each congregation, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed“. – Acts 14:23
• “From Paul – a slave of God, an Apostle of Yeshua the Anointed One… The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you“. – Titus 1:5
• “If there are any questions about Titus; He’s my partner and fellow worker for your interests. Or if there are any questions about the rest of our brothers; They are apostles to the congregations and a glory to the Anointed One”. – 2 Corinthians 8:23

However, for those of us who are not inspired like the Apostles, we do well to apply the normative democratic model, as is seen to be displayed throughout early Christian history and scripture, even by the 12 Disciples.

There are serveral ways Elder election might happen, be it formal or informal.

For example, by arrangement. There may be a group of Christians who gather together on regular basis, the whole group may notice the two or three most mature and seemingly knowledgable, caring, and spiritually mature men of the group, and thus together they may discuss in a family-like manner, to appoint these men recognition and authority to take the lead in either logistic or teaching affairs for their congregation.

Another manner in how this might happen may be more naturalistic. People have a tendency to be drawn toward those who are either intelligent, reliable, or just have good speaking and leadership skills. This might be how some individuals end up naturally in the position of Eldership for their flock, as others gather around that person or group of persons, who have taken up the role of teaching or preaching to others.

What’s important is that it is not a person acquiring power for themselves by force, presumptuousness, greed, or arrogance. The flock always has the power to take leave of an Elder, just as much as they have the power to appoint them.

Successional Appointment & Organised Religions

Some churches or congregations and their leaders work via a system of ordination and succession. For example, the Catholic and Orthodox churches lay claim to a tradition of “Apostolic succession”, whilst other churches may have some other similar form of “Elder succession”. In the theological world this is known as “Episcopal polity” or “Hierarchical polity”.

Successional Appointment or Ordination, is a hierarchy or dynasty of self-appointed leaders (a clergy) who in turn appoint other leaders over the Congregation, whilst denying the rest of the Congregation as a whole (a laity) any say in the matter. This is the most common practice in most organised Christian religions today, who use it as a means to elect who they feel worthy to join their ranks of leadership and carry the baton.

However, it is important to bear in mind, that Elder succession, in any church, denomination, or congregation, even if traceable back to the Apostles themselves, means nothing at all if those successors do not teach what is accurate to the Gospel and inspired scriptures (Galatians 1:9). Therefore, making use of such a method as means to claim “authority” over the Congregation, or the “right to decide what is official Christian doctrine”, especially if uninspired, is moot.

If a person is uninspired, then they cannot claim the right to infallible teaching or absolute authority over other Christians, and so no uninspired Elder, church, organisation, congregation or group can demand absolute obedience or submission to their word, nor to their Biblical interpretations, even less so if what they teach actually contradicts scripture.

The first century Disciples appointed directly by Yeshua, were directed through holy spirit, and therefore it is why their writings in the New Testament are what we trust above all as our authority on Christian matters (1 Corinthians 4:6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

(For more on the topic of Organised Religions and the True Church see my article):

What is the One True Church?

Complaining Against and Removing an Elder

If there is cause or reason that a Christian should not be in the position of an Elder in a congregation, be it sinful conduct, the promotion of pagan teachings or the committing of a crime, the scriptures state a principle that the accuser must provide a form of evidence of which more than one person can then attest to upon beholding (be it the word of more than one brother testifying, a picture, video, or similar evidence which would convict the accused before others), upon which such evidence provided by the witnesses is to be demonstrated to the entire Congregation in a hearing:

• “Do not accept an accusation against a male elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole congregation; this will serve as a strong warning to others“. – 1 Timothy 5:19

Upon conviction, the other the accused should be removed from position before the whole or majority of the Congregation available.

If a Christian cannot provide evidence, but truly knows the accused to be in the wrong, they would be in their personal right to follow their own conscience to not follow the lead of that Elder, for it is not said in scripture to be an offence or sin.

Refusing to follow the directive of an Elder for personally justified scriptural reasons is not a form of sectarianism, neither is it a sin to report an Elder when being the only witness to him committing a crime. If anything, not reporting a crime as the only witness could be seen to be as “hiding and partaking in his sin” (Ephesians 5:11).

Thus, if known to be guilty of a crime, a Christian would be in their rights to report such an accused to the authorities should they see fit, even if there are no other witnesses to the crime but themselves, for this does not break Congregational law, but falls in with “exposing the works of darkness” and being in submission to “Caesar’s law” of the land (Romans 13:1). Each ‘individual’ witness has the responsibility to do this, and it is by reporting such crimes that one can gain the evidence of “the two or three” individuals (be it Christians or the involvement of the police who investigate matters further).

There are also some scriptural principles that in certain scenarios, such Elders may be reported to authorities and removed from the Congregation without the need of other witnesses, such as cases of sexual assault, rape or child abuse, in which in such cases, there are never other witnesses by the very nature of the crime committed, being that of a private/hidden crime, with the victim as the only witness, and as such the principles of the law of love may override the need for two to three witnesses in this case:

• “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.… But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die. Do nothing to the young woman, because she has committed no sin worthy of death. This case is just like one in which a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. When he found her in the field, the betrothed woman cried out, but there was no one to save her“. – Deuteronomy 17:6, 22: 25-27
• “He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent“. – Matthew 12:3-7

Conclusive Statements

Thus, we come to an overall understanding that an Elder is to be scripturally qualified and in good moral standing, not to lord over their position as a pedestal of authority, but is to be appointed by the Congregation in agreement, and is to act as a comforting shepherd and humble arranger of worship and teaching, not coercing anyone to follow them or to obey them.

Likewise, members of the Congregation are to try and humbly work along with the arrangements of Elders, whilst also making sure not to be enslaved to them as unquestionable leaders or masters of their faith. Everything then is in balance and unity.

“Dishonest scales are an abomination to YHWH, but an accurate weight is His delight. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom”.
Proverbs 11:1-2