Defining Pastoral Eldership 3

Series
Restoring Pastoral Eldership Curriculum
Presenter
Chuck Gianotti
This is part 3 of the topic Defining Pastoral Eldership, in the series Restoring Pastoral Eldership

 

II. Equality and Diversity within the Eldership

A. Equality

1. All elders were made overseers to s_____________________ the church (Acts 20:28).

2. All elders are charged by the Holy Spirit to shepherd [pastor] the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2).

3. All elders have equal a_____________________ and responsibility for the pastoral oversight of the entire congregation (Acts 20:28).

4. All elders must be alert to false teaching and to guard the flock from false teachers (Acts 15:6; 20:28-31; Titus 1:9-13).

5. All elders must be able to teach Scripture and rebuke false teachers (1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).

6. All elders must be publicly e______________________ as to the biblical qualifications for "overseer-ship" before serving as overseer (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:22-25).

7. All elders are responsible to v_______________ and pray for the sick (James 5:14).

8. All elders hare the designations “elder” and “overseer” (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17).

9. All elders are a_____________________ and under the pastoral care of the eldership body (Acts 20:28a).

10. All elders are to be appreciated, esteemed “very highly in love,” honored, protected from slander, and obeyed (1Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17-19; Heb. 13:17).

Discuss It
1. Identify some ways that the equality of all the elders is a benefit to the church?
Discuss It
2. What are some ways that the equal authority of the elders can be a difficult way of leading today? What are some of the challenges that must be overcome in order for there to be harmony?
Discuss It
3. How can the elders visibly demonstrate to the church their unity and equal authority.
Apply It
How do the elders of your church currently handle the situation when being equal in authority they don’t agree on a decision affecting the whole church? What is the policy, agreement or plan for handling things like that?
defining_pastoral_eldership_3.mp3