The failure of church elders to know and teach the Bible is one of the chief reasons doctrinal error floods churches today and drowns the power and life of the church.Biblical Eldership (24)
Elder Led: a strong emphasis on the responsibilities and duties of the congregation is maintained. While the team of elders has its specific responsibilities, the members of the church have their specific responsibilities as well, and these are fairly substantial; indeed, all major decisions (e.g., electing church officers, hiring pastoral staff, budget, property purchases and sales, church disciplinary matters) are brought by the elders to the members of the church for approval, modification, or dissaproval. The leadership of the elders in their sphere of authority interfaces with congregational responsibilities; accordingly, this model could best be termed 'elder-led congregationalism.'Sojourners and Strangers, 294
In the New Testament the words "elder," "shepherd" or "pastor," and "bishop" or "overseer" are used interchangeably in the context of the local church office.The Church: The Gospel Made Visible (Kindle Locations 1386-1387). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
We, then, must also view apostolic, Christianized elders to be primarily pastors of a flock, not corporate executives, CEOs, or advisers to the pastor.Biblical Eldership (17)
It is an immensely profound truth that no special priestly or clerical class in distinction from the whole people of God appears in the New Testament.Eldership, 112
Depending on the context, then, presbyteros can mean: (1) "older man" or "old man," as in 1 Timothy 5:1 "Do not sharply rebuke an older man [presbyteros]." (2) a title for a community official, an "elder," as in 1 Timothy 5:17: "Let the elders [presbyteroi] who rule well be considered worthy of double honor.".. the strict sense of advanced age is eliminated from the meaning of elder when referring to a community leader certain connotations such as maturity, experience, dignity, authority, and honor are retainedEldership, 125
shared leadership is often more trying than unitary leadership. It exposes our impatience with one another, our stubborn pride, our bull-headedness, our selfish immaturity, our domineering disposition, our lack of love and understanding of one another, and our prayerlessness. It also shows how underdeveloped and immature we really are in humility, brotherly love, and the true servant spirit.Eldership, 114
According to Paul's required qualifications for eldership, a prospective elder must have enough knowledge of the Bible to be able to refute false teachers.Eldership, 17
The final responsibility of the congregation does not contradict or undermine the elders' general leadership, but it provides an opportunity to confirm it when it is right and to constrain it when it is in error. This position is called elder led...The Church: The Gospel Made Visible (Kindle Locations 1474-1476). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.