Elder Description
What is an Elder?
An Elder:
As we've searched the Scriptures, we've come to the following understanding
:
An elder:
Is not an elected board member who runs the business of the church.
Does not serve for a predefined period of time
Is not member of the clergy.
Does not occupy an exalted position.
Paul's admonition to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-29 and Peter's charge in I Peter 5:1 give us clues to the function of Elders.
Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them
Pet. 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
From these we see that and elder is a man called of God to function as:
A Shepherd (pastor)
An overseer
A guardian of the flock
One who willingly accepts these responsibilities without the objective of personal gain.
From Old Testament example we perceive that elders also function as the patriarchs (fathers) of the "family" where God has given them responsibility.
At the Tabernacle Community we have no "CEO" or senior pastor. We believe that God has directed the elders to function in true plurality of leadership. By a miracle of God we have found a unity and respect for one another and the diversity of our gifts which has given us an unusual strength.
Thinking back, we realize that we have never had to vote on anything. It has become very obvious to us that none of us has any drive to establish an "empire" As we have discussed matters before the Lord, we have come to consensus and a sense that we have the mind of our Master.
Our leadership is most often exercised from "the back row." Because of this the members of our fellowship are becoming confident enough to truly exercise their gifts. Our "job" is to equip the body for the work of the ministry.
