Click here to read a conversation introducing this section
Paul Mentor: Tim, as we begin, let me ask you a basic question: “Why do you want to implement biblical (BE) eldership in your church?”

Tim: Well, because it is biblical. I thoughy we already talked about that.

Paul: I know, but we want to explore your motives—maybe ones below the surface. These can affect your efforts in trying to implement BE in your church.

Tim: Well, I just want to do what the Scripture says. An old seminary friend of mine has implemented BE in his church and things seem to be going better there than at my church. Is that what you mean, I’m motivated because I know of someone else that has biblical eldership working well?

Paul: Well, yes, that is what I am getting at. The temptation can be to just imitate what someone else has done. But, there can be other motives that affect things.

Tim: Well, I’m ready to explore anything that can help me make this happen.


First Thoughts

A pastor’s motivation for wanting to transition to BE can range from:

  • Genuine conviction and leading of the Spirit of God
  • Desire to resolve power struggles or leadership conflicts
  • Superficial interest in imitating another church
  • Lack of confidence in current leadership

All of these things affect how you approach the church with the goal of leadership change. We will address each of these as we go along. However, many of the implementation principles are universal regardless of your particular scenario.

Model the Goal as You Begin the Process

While, as we stated before, you as the pastor should be prominent in this implementation of BE, it is best to include more than one change agent early in the process. This will avoid putting undue focus on one individual pressing for change, which would be counterproductive to your objective. The goal is to make the Lord Jesus Christ prominent as you begin to model, in seed form, plurality of leadership.

Although we will be addressing the reader as a single individual, we suggest you consider inviting one or two others who can join you in being co-catalysts and work through the process together.

Honestly Evaluate Your Motivation

It is critical that your motivation is based on a clear and convincing understanding of BE  (see “What is Biblical Eldership?).” BE is not just an optional or even a preferable kind of leadership in the church. As the term indicates, it is biblically based and reflects God’s teaching for leadership in the local church. Regardless of whether it proves to be strategically better than other forms of church government (and we think it is), this is the pattern taught by the Word of God. Obedience to him is foundational to everything else in this transition.

The Pastor’s Motivational Worksheet will help you work through the interplay of motivations you are likely experiencing. Download it and consider it deeply and prayerfully. Ask your spouse or a close friend for feedback on your answers. Ask God to reveal “the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). If there are any conflict issues or tensions involving others in leadership roles, address them before moving on in the process. We cannot stress this enough.

If there are any conflict issues or tensions involving anyone in a leadership role, address these before moving on in the process. We cannot stress this enough.

Modify Your Motivation

If your motivation needs modification, we suggest the following:

  1. Be committed from the outset to promoting and preserving unity in the church. Change of this magnitude inadvertently causes disunity and division if not handled properly or without pure motivation. 
  2. Confess any sin uncovered: pride, over-sensitivity, fear, people-pleaser attitudes, envy, etc. 
  3. Ask the Lord to help you “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2) as you take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5b). Clear focus on the glory of the Lord and love of His people must be your motivation. 
  4. Ask for wisdom in dealing with any conflict (open or subtle) among the current leadership. This must be addressed in a biblical manner or the move to BE will be seen as a power grab in the struggle of leadership. We recommend two excellent resources for working through conflict:

What’s Next?

Once you have completed the motivation worksheet, it’s time to move ahead to the “Pastor’s Preparation” step. This will help you get spiritually ready for the task in front of you. Click on the menu item to the right.