5 Biblical Truths Every New Elder Needs

If yyou are stepping into eldership for the first time, these five biblical truths will fundamentally reshape your understanding of this sacred calling. Many church conflicts and leadership failures stem from misunderstanding these basic principles.

Most new elders enter their role with good intentions but incomplete biblical understanding. They may know that elders should be godly men who help lead the church, but the deeper biblical realities of eldership often remain unclear. This gap in understanding leads to confusion, conflict, and sometimes serious problems in church governance.

After years of studying Scripture and serving in various church contexts, I have identified five biblical truths that every new elder must understand. These are not merely theological concepts to master—they are practical realities that will shape every aspect of your service as an elder.

Truth #1: Elder, Overseer, and Pastor Are the Same Biblical Office

One of the most important discoveries for new elders is that the New Testament uses three different terms—elder (presbuteros), overseer (episkopos), and pastor/shepherd (poimen)—to describe the same office, not different positions.

In Acts 20:17-28, Paul addresses the same group of men using all three terms. He calls for the "elders" (v.17), tells them the Holy Spirit has made them "overseers" (v.28), and commands them to "shepherd" the church (v.28). This is not three different offices but three different emphases of one role.

Understanding this prevents the common mistake of creating hierarchical distinctions where Scripture intends functional unity. Every elder is called to be mature, responsible, and caring—not just one or two of these qualities.

Truth #2: Eldership Is Plural by Design

Throughout the New Testament, elders are consistently referred to in plural form. When the apostles appointed leaders, they appointed "elders" (plural) in every church (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5). This was not accidental—it reflects God's intentional design for church governance.

The biblical pattern shows that healthy church leadership involves multiple qualified men working together, not a single dominant leader making unilateral decisions. This plurality provides natural accountability, prevents the concentration of power, and ensures that important decisions benefit from multiple perspectives.

Even when one elder may serve as a "first among equals" for practical purposes, he remains accountable to his fellow elders. No single elder should have unilateral authority to make major decisions that affect the church.

Truth #3: Character Matters More Than Competence

When examining the biblical qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, a striking pattern emerges: the majority of qualifications focus on character rather than skills or competence.

Out of roughly 15 qualifications listed, only two relate to specific abilities: "able to teach" and "able to manage his household well." The rest describe character qualities like being above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, gentle, and not quarrelsome.

This does not mean competence is unimportant, but it reveals God's priorities for church leadership. A man of strong character who is willing to learn will become more effective over time. However, a highly skilled but immature man can cause tremendous damage to the church body.

Character qualifications are not merely entry requirements to be checked off—they describe ongoing standards that elders must maintain throughout their service. Regular self-examination and accountability with fellow elders helps ensure these character qualities remain evident.

Truth #4: Elders Are Shepherds, Not CEOs

Modern church culture often imports business leadership models into church governance, viewing elders as board members or executives who run the church like a corporation. This fundamentally misunderstands the biblical role.

Scripture consistently describes elders as shepherds responsible for caring, feeding, protecting, and guiding the flock. Shepherding involves intimate knowledge of the sheep, gentle guidance, protection from danger, and providing nourishment for spiritual growth.

This shepherd metaphor shapes how elders should approach their responsibilities. Rather than making decisions from a boardroom, elders should be among the people, understanding their needs, struggles, and spiritual condition. Rather than focusing primarily on organizational efficiency, elders prioritize the spiritual health and growth of church members.

This does not mean elders ignore practical and organizational matters, but these concerns remain secondary to the spiritual care of church members.

Truth #5: Teaching and Protecting Are Core Responsibilities

While elders have many responsibilities, Scripture emphasizes two as particularly central: teaching God's truth and protecting the church from false teaching and spiritual danger.

The qualification "able to teach" is not merely about formal preaching ability. It encompasses the capacity to explain biblical truth clearly, apply it to specific situations, and help others grow in their understanding of Scripture. This may happen through formal teaching, personal discipleship, or wise counsel in difficult situations.

Equally important is the protective responsibility. Elders must be able to "encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9). This involves identifying false teaching, addressing doctrinal errors, and sometimes making difficult decisions to protect the church from harmful influences.

These responsibilities require ongoing growth in biblical knowledge, spiritual maturity, and pastoral wisdom. No elder masters these immediately—they develop through faithful service and commitment to personal growth.

Moving Forward with Biblical Understanding

Understanding these five biblical truths will not eliminate every challenge you face as an elder, but it will provide a solid foundation for faithful service. Many church conflicts arise when leaders operate from unbiblical assumptions about eldership rather than clear scriptural understanding.

As you begin or continue your service as an elder, regularly return to Scripture to deepen your understanding of this calling. Seek input from fellow elders, study the examples of faithful leaders throughout church history, and remain committed to personal growth in the character qualities Scripture requires.

Remember that eldership is not a position to be attained but a calling to be fulfilled faithfully. The church needs elders who understand their role biblically and pursue it with humility, wisdom, and love for Christ's people.