Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

CHAPTER 2 Shared Leadership

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teach ing.” 1 Timothy 5:17

dedicated pastor elders the pastoral leadership of a church. During the more than twenty years we have served together, we have experienced many problems and frustrations, but we have also experienced growth, joy, laughter, and deep friendship and love for one another. As partners in the work of shepherding God’s precious, blood-bought people, we have sharpened, balanced, comforted, pro tected, and strengthened one another through nearly every conceiv able life situation. I do not hesitate to say that the relationship with my fellow elders has been the most important tool God has used, outside of my marriage relationship, for the spiritual development of my Chris tian character, leadership abilities, and teaching ministry. As a result, I believe, we have been able to provide stable, long-term, pastoral care for the people of God. Vastly more important than my experience (or that of anyone else) as a member of an eldership team, however, is what God’s Word says about the leadership structure (or government) of the local church. As we will discover in this chapter, the New Testa ment provides conclusive evidence that the pastoral oversight of the apostolic churches was a team effort—not the sole responsibil ity of one person. O ne of the deep joys of my life has been to share with a team of

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