Those who desire the role of elder aspire to a noble task (1 Tim 3:1). In the New Testament, the terms for elders, bishops, overseers, and pastors all refer to the biblical office of eldership. The office of elder is limited to those equipped by God to function in that role, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1–13 and Titus 1:5–9. The office of overseer is the only office that is reserved specifically for men (1 Tim 2:12). Elders must demonstrate full agreement with the church’s theological statement of beliefs. They must also be fully committed, hospitable, and intimately involved participants in the life of the local church. As covenant members, elders also fulfill the office of member. Concerning powers, the overall policy, leadership—except for the authority and rule attributed to the members —direction, and management of the day-to-day affairs and finances of the church shall be vested in the elders of the church.
As under-shepherds, elders are under the Lordship of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, it shall be the duty of the elders to exercise oversight over the church, shepherding the flock without lording it over them (1 Peter 5:2), to guard the purity of doctrine, and to establish policy consistent within the constitution and bylaws as voted on by the congregation. The elders shall lead the members of the church through the process of the reception of new members, the discipline of unrepentant members, and the dismissal of members, with the congregation having the authority to practice their voting rights described below. The Elders shall minister in the teaching of the Word, counseling the needy, comforting the afflicted, visiting the sick, and discipling believers. The elders have the duty to manage, govern, and direct the affairs of the local church. This includes their work to equip the members of the church for the work of ministry, that they may carry out the “one another” passages, caring for one another within the church, and evangelizing and serving the poor outside the church.
New elders shall be appointed by the affirmative vote of the members of the church after having been nominated, tested, and recommended to the members of the church by the existing elders. While there is no biblically mandated number of elders, a plurality is preferred and is often assumed in the writings of the New Testament. Thus, existing elders are to nominate elder candidates as deemed necessary by them with no fixed numerical requirements. In making such nominations, the elders will consider each man individually and will make such nominations according to the biblical qualifications mentioned above.
