Other Biblical Leadership Resources

The ultimate authority for all church leadership principles and practices. Scripture provides the qualifications for elders (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1), the responsibilities of shepherding (Acts 20, 1 Peter 5), and the accountability processes (1 Timothy 5:19-20) that every church must follow. No human wisdom or organizational strategy can substitute for biblical foundations. Every decision about church governance, elder selection, and leadership accountability must be measured against Scripture's clear teaching.

Why I Recommend This

The foundation for everything we believe about biblical leadership. Every elder must be committed to Scripture as the final authority for church governance, not cultural trends or business models.

Strauch's updated and expanded examination of biblical eldership for the modern church. This revised edition builds on his foundational work with fresh insights, contemporary applications, and responses to common objections about plural elder leadership. He addresses the challenges facing churches today, including the tension between pastoral authority and elder governance, the role of women in church leadership discussions, and practical strategies for transitioning from single-pastor models to biblical shared leadership. The book includes new case studies, updated research, and clearer guidance for churches implementing biblical eldership in diverse cultural contexts.

Why I Recommend This

This updated edition reflects decades of additional experience and addresses many of the implementation challenges that churches face today. It's the mature work of someone who has lived out these principles and learned from both successes and failures in biblical eldership.

While Biblical Eldership focuses on structure and qualifications, Leading with Love addresses the heart and character of biblical leadership. Strauch examines what it means to lead like Christ, emphasizing servant leadership over authoritarian control. The book explores how love should motivate discipline, how to handle difficult people with grace, and how to maintain relationships while exercising necessary authority. It provides practical guidance for elders who want to shepherd with both truth and love, avoiding both harsh authoritarianism and weak permissiveness.

Why I Recommend This

Essential complement to Biblical Eldership. Too many elders know the structure but miss the heart. This book shows how biblical authority should always be exercised in love.

Getz provides both historical context and practical application for biblical church leadership. He traces the development of eldership from the New Testament through church history, showing how various traditions have either maintained or departed from biblical patterns. The book includes case studies of churches that have successfully implemented biblical eldership, addressing common obstacles and providing step-by-step guidance for churches wanting to transition to biblical governance. Getz also addresses the relationship between elders and pastoral staff, the role of deacons, and how to handle resistance to change.

Why I Recommend This

Excellent balance of theological foundation and practical implementation strategies. Particularly helpful for churches considering the transition to biblical eldership.

Witmer focuses specifically on the pastoral aspects of eldership, using the biblical metaphor of shepherding to explain elder responsibilities. He breaks down shepherding into four key functions: knowing the sheep (personal relationships and spiritual assessment), feeding the sheep (teaching and spiritual nourishment), leading the sheep (vision and direction), and protecting the sheep (guarding against false teaching and spiritual dangers). The book includes practical tools for implementing systematic shepherding, including how to organize pastoral care, conduct meaningful visits, and create accountability structures that actually serve the flock.

Why I Recommend This

Brings the shepherding metaphor to life with practical guidance. Too many elder boards focus on business management and miss their calling to shepherd souls.

Anderson challenges the modern tendency toward professional, distant church leadership by emphasizing that biblical shepherds must stay close to their flocks. The book critiques the CEO model of pastoral leadership and calls for authentic relationships between leaders and congregation members. Anderson addresses the dangers of isolation, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and how to maintain pastoral hearts in an increasingly corporate church culture. He provides practical advice for staying connected to people while handling the administrative responsibilities that come with church leadership.

Why I Recommend This

Powerful reminder that biblical leaders must remain connected to and genuinely care for the people they serve, not operate as distant managers or professional clergy.

Alexander Strauch's official website serves as the comprehensive hub for biblical eldership resources worldwide. The site features extensive articles on elder qualifications, responsibilities, and practical implementation strategies drawn from decades of real-world experience. It includes downloadable resources for churches transitioning to biblical eldership, case studies of successful implementations, and answers to frequently asked questions about elder accountability and church governance. The site also provides training materials for elder development, guidelines for pastoral searches under elder leadership, and practical tools for maintaining healthy elder boards. Strauch regularly updates the content with new insights from his ongoing church consulting work.

Why I Recommend This

This is the most comprehensive single source for practical biblical eldership guidance available online. Strauch has spent decades not just teaching about biblical eldership but actually implementing it in real churches. His resources address the practical challenges that theory alone cannot solve, making this an indispensable resource for anyone serious about biblical church governance.

Comprehensive biblical and theological resources focusing on Scripture's authority in all areas of life, including church governance and leadership. Founded by R.C. Sproul, Ligonier provides educational materials on biblical eldership, church discipline, and the practical application of reformed theology to church leadership. Their resources emphasize the sufficiency of Scripture for governing church life and maintaining biblical accountability among leaders.

Why I Recommend This

R.C. Sproul's commitment to biblical authority over human tradition aligns perfectly with the need for Scripture-based church governance. Their educational approach focuses on theological foundations rather than cultural controversies, making it valuable for leaders seeking biblical wisdom without political distractions.