I would like to start a conversation.  Who’s in?

It has been almost forty years since the term “elder” has been officially used at Corinth Reformed Church.  When the constitution and bylaws were revised in about 1970, we discontinued the use of “elder” and “deacon.”  (The latter was restored about ten years ago.)  Both titles have a long history in the church since the time of the Bible.

What is an “elder”?  How is the word used in the Bible?  What can we learn from our own Reformed tradition about who elders are and what they do?  Who functions in that role at Corinth?  Is there a reason to consider restoring the office of “elder”?

Let’s start with the Bible.  Here are some key texts to read and ponder –

·         Acts 6:1-7.  Leadership in the early church defaulted to the apostles.  But as the church grew and diversified, another ministry team was added to assist with ministry to the poor.  These were later known as “deacons.”

·         Acts 15:1-21.  When conflict arose over the inclusion of Gentiles in the church, the apostles in Jerusalem met with “elders” to decide what to do.  Luke does not tell us at this point who they were, what they did, or how they came to be elders.

·         Acts 20:17-38.  Paul established the practice of appointing elders in the churches he founded (Acts 14:23).  Here he calls the elders of Ephesus “overseers” (“bishops”) and charges them to guard the believers as shepherds guard their flock from predators.

·         1 Timothy 3:1-13.  Paul gives qualifications for “overseers” and “deacons,” but not a job description.

·         1 Timothy 5:17-19.  “Elders” have the responsibility to “direct the affairs of the church.”

·         Titus 1:5-9.  “Elders” and “overseers” are interchangeable titles.  Paul gives qualifications.

·         James 5:13-16.  Those who are sick should call for the elders to pray for them.

·         1 Peter 5:1-4.  Peter also interchanges the words “elder” and “overseer,” and uses the metaphor of shepherd.  He charges the leaders to have pure motives and be “eager to serve.”  They are not to “lord it over” the people, but serve as “examples to the flock.”

There are other texts as well in the New Testament, but those are the main ones.  So what do elders do?  And do we need them?

(Next week: John Calvin’s views on elders.  I would love to have your feedback!  feel free to leave a comment.)