We Presbyterians must view elders as being of the highest importance since we have named our denomination after them. The term “Presbyterian” refers more to how our churches are governed than to what we believe.

Presbyterian churches are a part of an historic movement known as the Reformed tradition which emerged from the Protestant Reformation. This upheaval that splintered Catholic Europe can be traced back to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517), which protested the pope’s sale of indulgences, and John Calvin’s church in Geneva where the Reformed doctrine was put into practice (1541). Unlike the episcopal leadership model where authority comes down to the local church from higher authorities, in the Presbyterian model a local congregation elects its ruling and teaching elders who, in turn, represent the church in the higher judicatories such as the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly.

The Bible makes clear the significance of serving as an elder or overseer. The Apostle Paul declared, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). Paul goes on to say, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17, KJV). There was a time in America when serving as an elder in the Presbyterian Church was held in the highest esteem, at least in the hearts of some. President Benjamin Harrison is quoted as having said that, although he had many honors which he held dear, none could be rated higher than his position as a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. He made this same remark in the presence of the great merchant John Wanamaker who replied, “And you feel that too? I have felt and said the same thing for years.”

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul describes what kind of person an overseer should be; in Titus 1:6-9, he describes the attributes to seek in choosing elders. Both readings include similar descriptions of deacons who are described as suitable for leadership because of their character. Paul depicts overseers—elders as well as deacons—as those who have reached the exemplary spiritual maturity to be entrusted with leadership.

In Scripture there are four terms used to describe church leaders: elder, overseer, shepherd, and deacon. The first three emphasize the character of a person chosen for church oversight. Elder (presbuteros) refers to spiritual maturity; overseer (episkopos) affirms their authority; and shepherd (poimen) becomes relevant because Peter exhorts his fellow elders to shepherd God’s people (1 Peter 5:1-3). It would appear, then, that elders are spiritually mature Christians who exercise authority over a congregation of God’s people in the manner of a shepherd, exemplifying our Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Deacons, being of similar spiritual maturity, have a different call to be servants (diakonos).

Paul describes the characteristics of these overseers in both his first letter to Timothy and in his letter to Titus. He lists 15 qualities (1 Timothy 3:1-16) Timothy should seek when choosing overseers. Thirteen of those requirements have to do with character; only two refer to what an overseer is to do. This suggests that, for Paul, the character of an overseer is of more importance than the tasks to be performed.

Examination of a person’s character is indeed the best place to begin the search for potential church lay leadership because their character determines what they do and how they do it. The process of selecting elders and deacons should be much more comprehensive than merely finding people willing to serve on a board to fulfill certain tasks. The church should look for committed disciples of Jesus who possess the spiritual maturity which reflects Paul’s description; this will determine how the person shepherds the people of God.

Paul does not offer a detailed job description of the tasks to be done but instead describes the character and qualities of those needed to lead the church. Based on their spiritual maturity and Christian character, they can be trusted to discern God’s leading.

May we all pray for and encourage those among us whom God has called, through the voice of our congregation, to be elders and deacons. Thanks be to God for those whom He has called!

by Pastor Steven Grant

LEADERSHIP

“It is not enough for the priests and ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian leadership. The central question is: Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to look at God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word, and to taste fully God’s infinite goodness?
“The original meaning of the word ‘theology’ was ‘union with God in prayer.’ Today theology has become one academic discipline alongside many others, and often theologians are finding it hard to pray. But for the future of Christian leadership it is of vital importance to reclaim the mystical aspect of theology so that every word spoken, every word of advice given, and every strategy developed can come from a heart that knows God intimately.”
– Henri Nouwen
Catholic priest, theologian, professor (Yale and Harvard Divinity Schools), author
Excerpt from In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, New York, NY: Crossroad Publishing, 1992