To serve as an elder is to pursue a “noble task.” It is also a weighty one.
Scripture outlines this high calling clearly in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1—providing us a list of qualifications that should humble us as we consider the type of men who embody them:
- Above reproach
- A faithful husband
- Sober-minded and self-controlled
- Respectable
- Hospitable
- Gentle
- Able to teach and rebuke
- Able to manage his household
- Not a drunkard, violent, quarrelsome, or a lover of money
- Not a recent convert
- A lover of good
- Holy and disciplined
- Holding firm to the Word
- Well thought of by outsiders
Once you’ve identified the right men, biblically qualified and spiritually mature… Then what? You’ve assembled a team of elders, but what should they be doing?
Responsibilities of an Elder Team
Throughout the New Testament, we see “elder,” “overseer,” and “shepherd” describe the same office (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1–3). These terms describe the main responsibilities of an elder team:
- Overseer – Leading, managing, and taking responsibility for the church
- Shepherd (or Pastor) – Caring for the flock, feeding them the Word, nurturing the sick
- Elder – Being mature, having walked with Christ longer than many others, passing down wisdom gained through lived experience
You’ve chosen the right men. You’ve outlined their responsibilities. The only thing left to do is point them toward the right goals.
1. Lead the Culture of the Church
As elders and leaders in the church, you are held to a higher standard.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1)
Is your team cultivating a culture of humility? Hospitality? Discipleship? Prayer? As you pursue God’s goals for His Church, look to yourselves first. The way an elder conducts himself will influence the entire body.
Start by naming the vision you want to see in the life of your congregation, seek to model it in your elder team, and make decisions based on it at every opportunity.
2. Teach Sound Doctrine
The elder must be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). That doesn’t mean every elder will regularly preach from the pulpit, but it does mean every elder must be grounded in Scripture and equipped to teach truth, defend doctrine, and disciple others in the Word.
This responsibility is not optional:
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9)
Practical ways for elders to champion biblical literacy in the church:
- Coordinating and hosting Bible studies and classes.
- Leading small groups and training others to do the same.
- Discipling new believers.
- Guarding against error with humility and conviction.
3. Grow Future Leaders
Faithful leaders don’t just lead—they multiply. One of the most important tasks of an elder team is to disciple and equip future elders and ministry leaders. Paul modeled this with Timothy:
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Does your church have a clear discipleship pathway? Are you identifying potential leaders? Are you regularly training others to lead and serve? The health of the church tomorrow depends on the leaders being developed today.
4. Promote Evangelism and Outreach
The Great Commission was not given to pastors only, but to every disciple. Elders should model and mobilize gospel witness in their communities, as Paul exhorted Timothy:
“Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
Elder teams can encourage outreach by…
- Praying regularly and corporately for the lost.
- Celebrating evangelism in the church.
- Equipping members to share their faith.
- Actively engaging their neighborhoods.
5. Pray Fervently
The early church apostles prioritized prayer, and so should today’s elders:
“We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)
Let prayer saturate your leadership. Intercede regularly for the flock, strategic decisions, one another, and the advance of the gospel.
6. Work Together to Bring the Best Ideas Forward
An elder team is exactly that: a team, not a collection of silos. Wisdom grows when diverse perspectives are shared and each man is free to speak honestly.
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Create space for collaborative decision-making and open dialogue. Invite ideas and test them against Scripture and past experiences in the life of the church. Devote your plans to the Lord and watch the fruit grow.
7. Maintain Unity While Welcoming Disagreement
Inevitably, where there are ideas, there will be disagreement—but unity doesn’t require uniformity. Collaborate in humility, use sober judgment, and celebrate the unique gifts each member of your team brings to the table.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)
Conflicts will arise, but when handled with grace and clarity, they can strengthen rather than divide.
A Calling Worth Pursuing
God calls you to shepherd His beloved bride: His Church. That calling is too high, too holy, and too urgent to approach casually.
Let your goals reflect your calling: Model the culture you long to see. Teach sound doctrine. Raise up future leaders. Champion gospel outreach. Pray often and earnestly. Sharpen one another in wisdom. And guard the unity Christ purchased with His blood.
This is the work of oversight, and this is the heart of biblical leadership.
May God strengthen you for the task.
Baptist Church Planters exists to help churches build healthy disciple-making congregations. If you or your church are ready to grow in godliness and leadership, reach out to us today. Let’s partner together to make disciples who make disciples.
