THE MINISTRY OF ELDERS
ORDERS OF MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
APOSTLES: Ephesians 4: 11 Evangelized and established new churches
DEACONS: Acts 6:1-6; I Timothy 3:1-7; Romans 16:1-2 Ministered to the practical needs of the growing church
ELDERS: Acts 15:1-29; Acts 20:17-18 & 25-28; I Peter 5:1-4 Ministered to the spiritual needs of the church as teachers, overseers, and shepherds
ORDERS OF MINISTRY IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) TRADITION
FRONTIER DAYS
Evangelists started new churches. Elders taught, shepherded, and guided the congregation. Deacons cared for the church property, visited the sick, received and distributed offerings.
ERA OF THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH
Professional clergy provided pastoral care and administration. Functional committees provided programming. Elders, deacons, and deaconesses served at the communion table and assisted the clergy in caring for the sick and homebound.
NEW APOSTOLIC AGE (THE 21ST CENTURY)
The congregation operates as the body of Christ, composed of variously gifted members. All members minister in the name of Christ to people in the congregation and in the world. The professional clergy and the elders and deacons are a mission and ministry team. The expectations of elders and deacons vary according to the congregation's mission and organization.
WHAT ARE ELDERS DOING TODAY?
Listed below are some general areas in which elders fulfill their calling today. These descriptions are compiled from data gathered from vital, growing congregations.
This is not meant to be a job description for elders in all congregations, but a guide for congregations in formulating their own expectations.
Think about the general areas.
Prayerfully ask, "What is God calling us as elders to do in this area?"
Then develop your own list of expectations which will serve as a covenant for elders for the year.
Annually review and revise your covenant.
GROWING IN PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
Developing relationship with God through a daily time of prayer and Bible study
Regularly attending worship services and Bible study groups
Discovering spiritual gifts and using them in the service of Jesus Christ
Sharing Christ in daily life
Ministering to their own families
Tithing
LEADING IN WORSHIP SERVICES
Serving at the Lord's Table--giving a communion meditation or invitation, saying the Words of Institution
Preaching
Praying for the worship service (some elders meet before the service to pray together)
Seeking to honor God with their worship
CARING FOR THE CONGREGATION
Mentoring people in the congregation
Some congregations have shepherding programs, with the congregation divided into groups headed by an elder
Some congregations use a small group system with elders serving as leaders/lay pastors of these small groups
Visiting people who are homebound or hospitalized and offering them communion .
LEADING THE CHURCH IN ITS MISSION
Leading the congregation in discerning what God is calling the congregation to be and do
Helping the congregation stay focused on its mission
Leading the congregation through change in order to be more effective in its mission
Actively participating in mission and outreach ministries according to their gifts and available time
WELCOMING AND INCLUDING NEW PEOPLE
Serving as mentors for people preparing for baptism
Serving as new member shepherds or sponsors
SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
Elders meeting monthly or weekly for training, sharing and prayer
Elders going on an annual retreat for spiritual renewal
Praying daily for other elders, the minister(s), and other leaders
This article was first prepared by Judy Turner when she was on staff of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Because such articles are still being requested, we are making them available on our Website. You are free to use any resources on our site, but please donate to the work of Christview Ministries Center so that we can continue to produce such materials and make them available.