Essential Elder/Shepherd Functions

Dr. Charles Siburt, ACU

General Observations:

1. The role description below is drawn from biblical, functional, and practical reflections.
2. The format used is that of a typical job description.
3. The working assumption is that the roles of elder and minister are not completely different but are instead similar and complementary.

Suggested Functions of Elders/Shepherds:

1. Teaching the faith.

• Guarding the gospel against different doctrine (1 Tim. 6:20).
• Promoting healthy belief and thus healthy believers (1 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:9).
• Knowing the faith and laboring in preaching and teaching it (1 Tim. 5:17).

2. Shepherding the congregational flock.

• Protecting the church from wolves that could exploit it (Acts 20:28ff.).
• Ensuring good nutrition for the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-5).
• Managing/taking care of it with caring authority (1 Tim. 3:4,5; 1 Thess. 5:12).

3. Consoling those in any affliction.

• Consoling those who are in any affliction with the consolation they themselves have received from God (2 Cor. 1:3 ff.).
• Facilitating the ministry of Christians caring for one another (1 Cor. 12:25; Rom. 13:8; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9).
• Dealing with each one gently like a nurse caring for her children, like a father with his children (1 Thess. 2:7,11).

4. Encouraging Christian formation.

• Nurturing Christians as Christ is formed in them (Gal. 4:19).
• Enabling all believers to no longer be children, to grow up in every way into the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:14,15)
• Leading the believers to leave behind the basic teaching and go on toward perfection (maturity) (Heb. 6:1).

5. Building congregational community.

• Building believers into a household of faith (1 Cor. 3:10-18).
• Facilitating the “one another” ministries of Christians: mutually edifying (Rom. 14:19); accepting (Rom. 15:7); serving (Gal. 5:13); offering hospitality (1 Pet. 4:9); encouraging (1 Thess. 5:11, 14).
• Assisting believers in using the variety of their gifts, services, and activities for the common good (1 Cor. 12:4-7).

6. Equipping the saints for ministry.

• Equipping Christians for their God-given ministries (Eph. 4:12).
• Enabling each part of the body to be joined and knit together, working properly (Eph. 4:16).
• Assist Christians in being good stewards of the gifts each has received (1 Pet. 4:10).

7. Facilitating reconciliation.

• Promoting oneness of mind and purpose in the body through humble, gentle, patient, devotion to the interests of others (Phil. 2:1-5).
• Overseeing the practice of Matthew 18, Romans 16:17 (“keep an eye on–and avoid– those who cause dissensions and offenses).
• Offer wise judgment to conflicted saints (1 Cor. 6:1-6).

Conclusions:

1. Individual elders/shepherds will have different strengths and ministry interests.
2. Elder/shepherd functions can be taught and learned.
3. Growth, not perfection, in leadership skills is encouraged.

Recommended Reading: Campbell, R. Alastair. The Elders: Seniority Within Earliest Christianity. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994.