What Position Do Elders Hold?
Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing excerpts from Stephen Kneale’s new book Independent Eldership, the first volume in our church polity series ‘A People on Purpose’. In this final instalment, Stephen considers the dynamic link between congregational rule and elder leadership.
If the membership rules the church, it is reasonable to ask what position elders actually hold. Titus was left behind in Crete to help the churches appoint elders (Titus 1:5). In Acts 14 we see Paul and Barnabas doing exactly the same (v23). Timothy and Titus are both given lists of qualifications to consider before the church appoints anyone as an elder (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1-17; Titus 1:5-9). We also have to contend with the biblical language that goes along with eldership. Elders are called overseers (cf. Acts 20:28, Titus 1:7, 1 Timothy 3:2, etc) and are expected to handle at least some of the affairs of the church. The language of oversight and shepherding the flock clearly implies a leadership function. But how can elders lead when they don’t hold ultimate authority in the church?
It is worth pointing out that these sorts of questions exist in most organisations with any sort of structure that relies on derived power and delegated authority. Think of the delegated authority a policeman has over the general public. In a roundabout way, in our Western democracy, it is the general public that have ultimate power over the average policeman. That officer is put into post by more senior police officials, who themselves are appointed by a Chief Constable, who is in turn answerable to government ministers, who are ultimately elected to power by the general public. Nevertheless, we all recognise the right of the ordinary bobby on the beat to arrest a member of the public who has broken the law. The power that our democracy places in the hands of the general public does not negate the delegated authority of the policeman to enforce the law. This is all part of good public order.
In exactly the same way, elders have delegated authority – given to them by Jesus – that operates under the rule of the church. We will look at exactly what he delegates to elders in the next few chapters. At this point, let’s just note that congregational rule in local churches no more undermines the position of its elders than the rule of Christ undermines the delegated authority of either the congregation or its leaders. Just as with our police constable, along with anybody else listed in that circular chain of command, it is evidently possible to have real authority over others without ultimate rule.
It is important to recognise that eldership authority in the church does not derive from the congregation. It is true that the congregation appoints elders in the local church, but the delegated authority exercised by elders comes not from the recognition of the church themselves, but from Jesus, as outlined in the Scriptures. So, just as the Crown delegates the right to elect governments to the people, and the right to form government belongs to those elected to parliament, so the authority to appoint and remove leaders given to the congregation, and the right for elders to lead, are delegated areas of responsibility and authority all authorised by King Jesus.
It is true that elders are appointed by the church to lead, but their responsibilities are given to them by Jesus. Their role derives from Scripture and comes from the delegated authority given to them by Christ. This is exactly the same for the congregation. They are given their specific membership responsibilities by Jesus and the authority they hold as the ruling body in the church is delegated to them by Christ, who is head over the whole church. The difference between the elders and the congregation is that Jesus delegates different roles and functions to them both.
Stephen Kneale has served as the full-time pastor at Oldham Bethel Church since 2014, where he has carried the main responsibility for preaching and teaching. A prolific blogger, Stephen’s writings have come to be valued for their candour, theological rigour, and heart for the health of the local church.
