_To print this article, click on this link. An Excursus on Elder Issues (Word)_
The use of the term elder in Baptist churches has a full and rich history. For much of Baptist history, pastors were called elders. It is the more common New Testament term, and in a time when the wisdom of age was held in high regard, elder was a term of great respect.
A. John MacArthur - Elder Rule
1. John MacArthur has popularized the concept of “elder rule.”
a) This model is akin to the Presbyterian form in that it commonly designates the clergy as “elders.”
b) The model differs from the classic Presbyterian form in several respects.
(1) The local church makes a decision to adopt elder rule.
(2) The elders then become the leaders of the church, making all decisions in place of the congregation.
(3) The congregation does not even elect its elders as in the Presbyterian model.
(4) Instead, the elders elect new elders. The elders become a self-perpetuating group who lead the church.
2. Bishops and pastors are terms for the elders.
a) MacArthur prefers the term elder because it is free from the nuances imposed upon bishop and pastor by the culture.
b) The three terms define a variety of functions or characteristics.
3. Duties of the Elders
a) Overseeing the affairs of the local church.
(1) Elders are not subject to any higher earthly authority; their authority over the church is by precept and example (Heb 13:7).
(2) Elders are not to operate by majority vote; there should be unanimity in decisions (1 Cor 1:10; Eph 4:3; Phil 1:27; 2:2).
b) Preach and Teach (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:7, 9)
c) Partners in prayer (James 5:14)
d) Shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28)
(1) Includes determining church policy (Acts 15:22)
(2) It does not include business details, public relations, minor financial matters, and other day-to-day operations of the church (Acts 6:3-4).
4. Selection of Elders
a) Cheirotoneo should not be used to imply that a congregational vote by show of hands was taken (although it was used that way for votes taken in the Athenian legislature).
(1) In Acts 14:23 it was Barnabas and Paul who did the choosing.
(2) 2 Cor 8:19 uses the term to describe the appointment of a brother “by the churches,” which means he was not selected by a single congregational vote, but rather by the consensus of the leaders.
(3) So “using the term cheirotoneo in an exaggerated, literal way is not sufficient to support the idea of the election of elders by congregational vote.”
b) Three-step process in the early transition period of the church:
(1) First, apostles selected and ordained elders (Acts 14:23).
(2) Second, those who were close to the apostles appointed elders (Titus 1:5).
(3) Finally, elders appointed elders (1 Tim 4:14). This is the current practice – church leadership appointing elders.
5. Payment of Elders
a) Elders were paid in the early church (1 Tim 5:17-18).
b) The nature of ministry demands support (1 Cor 9:1, 3-9)
c) “Such subsidy is optional” (1 Cor 9:6).
d) “Elders may choose to support themselves by working outside the church.”
6. Number of Elders
a) “The norm in the New Testament church was a plurality of elders. There is no reference in all the New Testament to a one-pastor congregation.”
b) A plurality of elders “is the only pattern for church leadership given in the New Testament.” “Only by following this biblical pattern will the church maximize its fruitfulness to the glory of God.”
c) MacArthur rejects the argument that the “angels” in Rev 2 and 3 refer to pastors.
7. Leadership among Elders
a) Leadership does not imply superiority.
b) James was “apparently regarded as a leader and spokesman for the entire church” (Acts 12:17; 15:13), but “was not in any kind of official position over the other elders.”
8. The Elders and the Congregation
a) The Congregation is to respect, love, appreciate and cooperation with the Elders (1 Thes 5:12-13).
b) They are also to obey them (Heb 13:7).
B.Mark Dever – Lay Elders
1. Number of Elders
a) He agrees with MacArthur that churches should have a plurality of elders.
b) He has reported the historicity of Baptists using plural elders in their churches in the 18th and 19th centuries.
c) The letters to the seven churches are addressed to the singular messenger of each church.
d) Paul wrote not to the elders in Ephesus, but to Timothy alone.
e) It is consistent with choosing one elder and giving him the primary teaching responsibility.
2. Elders and Church Staff
a) Church “staff” consists of people the church has paid to work for the church (which includes individuals who are not elders).
b) The majority of the church elders are not paid.
3. Elders and the Pastor
a) Elder, bishop and pastor are used interchangeably.
b) Some elders came from outside the local church (such as Titus), while others were appointed from within the local congregations.
c) Some were supported fulltime by the flock (1 Tim 5:17-18; Phil 4:15-18), but others worked at another job (such as Paul).
4. Elders and the Congregation
a) Five characteristics of this relationship – recognition, trust, godliness, carefulness, and results.
b) The responsibility for the discipline and doctrine of the congregation lies with the congregation as a whole. Here Dever differs from MacArthur.
c) “Congregationalism may or may not be attractive, efficient, well understood, well practiced, easy, universally loved, impervious to distortion or corruption, but it is biblical.” Only the congregation and the whole congregation is responsible to God for the conduct and belief of the church (Matt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:6-8; 2 Tim 4:3).
d) The elders do not “rule” in the typical sense, but direct or lead.
C. Elders as “Super-Deacons”
1. There is no specific individual who has popularized this position (that the professor is aware of).
2. This position appears to be an attempt to establish the role of elder, but maintain the office of pastor.
3. This position is similar to the convention church system of pastor(s), deacons, and trustees, but using different terminology.
4. Any position that separates the office of elder from the office of pastor is unbiblical.
Larry R. Oats
Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Watertown, WI 53094
920-206-2324
Oats@mbbc.edu
