On Sunday evenings throughout the summer, a few men in our church have been leading our congregation through a teaching series called “Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches,” an introductory look at Baptist ecclesiology. A month ago, I taught on “The Church’s Shepherd Leaders: Elders,” which has sparked numerous conversations among our church members. I imagine this was because I used the term “elder” throughout my teaching. 

To some in our congregation, the term “elder” is shrouded in mystery. Many lifelong Baptists are unfamiliar with the term. One pastor said mentioning “elders” in a contemporary Baptist church was like mentioning the phrase “College of Cardinals.” To others, the term “elder” reeks of Presbyterianism rather than Congregationalism. And to others, the term “elder” is somehow linked with Reformed soteriology, so any mention of elders is a covert attempt to “Calvinize” the church.

Because of this confusion, I wanted to take a moment to clarify my thoughts in writing, with the desire that this would bring clarity to those interested in this topic. Essentially, I just want to make a historical, biblical, and practical case for a plurality of elders shepherding a local church. Then, I’ll conclude by mentioning what all this means for our church family.

The Historical Case for a Plurality of Elders

What if I told you that W.B. Johnson (1782-1862), the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, advocated for a plurality of elders in a local church? In his book, The Gospel Developed Through The Government and Order of the Churches of Jesus Christ, Johnson stated, “It is worthy of particular attention, that each church had a plurality of elders, and that although there was a difference in their respective department of service, there was a perfect equality of rank among them.”

I imagine a single quote from one man isn’t entirely convincing, so allow me to present a historical survey of Baptist Confessions stemming from the 1600s to the 1900s. This survey will show that: 1) from the earliest beginnings, Baptists have held to the view that there are two ongoing church offices presented in the New Testament: elders and deacons; 2) Baptists have held to the view of plural eldership; 3) Baptists have used the terms elder, overseer (bishop), and pastor interchangeably; and 4) it is only in more modern developments that plural eldership has largely disappeared.

A Short Confession of Faith in Twenty Articles, by John Smyth, 1609

Article 16: The ministers of the church are, not only bishops (“Episcopos”), to whom the power is given of dispensing both the word and the sacraments, but also deacons, men and widows, who attend to the affairs of the poor and sick brethren.

A Declaration of Faith of English People Remaining at Amsterdam, 1611

Article 20: That the Officers of every Church or congregation are either Elders, who by their office do especially feed the flock concerning their souls (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2,3) or Deacons, men and women, who by their office relieve the necessities of the poor and impotent brethren concerning their bodies, Acts 6:1-4.

Propositions and Conclusions Concerning the Christian Religion, 1612-1614

Proposition 76: That Christ hath set in His outward church two sorts of ministers: viz., some who are called pastors, teachers or elders, who administer in the word and sacraments, and others who are called Deacons, men and women: whose ministry is to serve tables and wash the saints’ feet (Acts 6:2-4; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2,3,8,11; and chap.5).

The London Confession, 1644

Article 36: That being thus joined, every Church has power given them from Christ for their better well-being, to choose to themselves meet persons into the office of Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, being qualified according to the Word, as those which Christ has appointed in his Testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of his Church, and that none other have power to impose them, either these or any other.

Second London Confession, 1677, 1688

Article 26, Paragraph 8: A particular Church gathered, and completely Organized, according to the mind of Christ, consists of Officers, and Members; And the Officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the Church (so called and gathered) for the peculiar Administration of Ordinances, and Execution of power, or Duty which he entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the World, are Bishops or Elders and Deacons.

The Philadelphia Confession of Faith, 1742

Chapter 27, Paragraph 8: A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the offices appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church, for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he instructs them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.

The New Hampshire Confession, 1833

Paragraph 13: Of a Gospel Church We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (66), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ (68); governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Swedish Baptist Confession of Faith, 1861

Article 9: We believe that a true Christian church is a union of believing and baptized Christians, who have covenanted to strive to keep all that Christ has commanded, to sustain public worship, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to choose among themselves shepherds or overseers and deacons, to administer baptism and the Lord’s supper. . .

Articles of the Baptist Bible Union of America, 1923

Article 13: We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers. . . that its officers of ordination are pastors, elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.

Statement of Faith of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1925, 1963

Article 6: This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.

Confession of Faith and Ecclesiastical Principles of the Evangelical Association of French-Speaking Baptist Churches

Part 2, Article 2: In addition to pastors or elders, the local church may have other responsible servants, for example deacons and deaconesses, whose role it is to assist the pastors or elders in their ministry, by assuming special responsibility for everything that relates to the material interests of the congregation.

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Article 6: In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

Interpreting Scripture is enriched by the community of the redeemed, both past and present. This historical survey of Baptist Confessions shows that our Baptist forefathers used the terms elder, overseer (bishop), and pastor interchangeably, and they were comfortable with the idea of plural eldership. Therefore, plural eldership is not un-Baptistic. Instead, its absence is a modern development. And let me say this: I believe its resurgence in Southern Baptist Churches is a breath of fresh air.

“The recovery of biblical eldership is one of the most important developments in ecclesiology in our time. And it is happening for a very important reason: churches are turning to the New Testament once again to determine how congregations are to be organized and led.” Albert Mohler

Ultimately, the Word of God, not tradition, is our final authority for faith and practice. So, what do the Scriptures say?

The Biblical Case for a Plurality of Elders

The strongest argument for a church to be led by a plurality of elders is the clear evidence in the New Testament of churches having elders. With the historical precedent for plural eldership in Baptist churches now established, I will make a biblical case. My main goal is to show that the terms elder, overseer, and pastor are used interchangeably throughout the New Testament, and then to demonstrate that each local church was led, pastored, and cared for by a plurality of leaders.

Elders (Presbuteros)

This term is used regularly in the New Testament. Generally speaking, an elder was “a person who, by virtue of position in the family, clan, or tribe; or by reason of personality, prowess, stature, or influence; or through a process of appointment and ordination, exercised leadership and judicial functions in both religious and secular spheres in the ancient world, both among biblical and nonbiblical peoples.” In the gospels, it refers to men who were involved in the Jewish community’s leadership structure. These men are often portrayed negatively because they rejected Jesus as the Christ. Throughout the rest of the New Testament, the term elder primarily refers to those appointed by God to lead, oversee, govern, steward, and pastor local churches.

Overseer (Episkopos)

This term is used periodically in the New Testament. Generally speaking, Greeks used this term “to define an office that had superintending functions, whether in political or religious circles.” An overseer was “to look upon, to consider, to have regard to, something or those in need.” Throughout the New Testament, the term overseer also refers to those appointed by God to lead, oversee, govern, steward, and pastor local churches.

Elders And Overseers Are Used Interchangeably

In Acts 20, Paul summons the elders of the church in Ephesus: “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them. . .” (Acts 20:17-18). Later on, when he’s addressing them, he refers to the elders as overseers: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). So, an elder is an overseer and an overseer is an elder.

In Titus 1, Paul reminds Titus of the important task of appointing elders in local churches throughout Crete: “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. . .” (Titus 1:5). As Paul goes on to list out the qualifications for elders, he refers to elders as overseers: “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. . .” (Titus 1:7). Once again, an elder is an overseer and an overseer is an elder.

Pastor/Shepherd (Poimen)

This term is used numerous times throughout the New Testament. In the ancient world, a pastor was a shepherd, someone who looked after and cared for sheep. “The task of the shepherd was to care for the flock, to find grass and water, to protect it from wild animals (Amos 3:12), to look for and restore those that strayed (Ezekiel 34:8; Matthew 18:12), to lead the flock out each day going before it and to return the flock at the close of the day to the fold (John 10:2–4).” Throughout the New Testament, this term is largely used in reference to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. It is used only once as a noun in reference to a church leader (Ephesians 4:11). So, a pastor is someone who feeds, nurtures, and protects the sheep who make up a local church.

Elder, Overseer, and Pastor Are Used Interchangeably

Even though the term “pastor” is used only once as a noun in reference to a church leader, the term is used numerous times as a verb to describe the work of an elder/overseer. We see this in Acts 20, the passage where Paul referred to elders as overseers: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for (poimaino: to shepherd) the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood (Acts 20:28).” So, the task of an elder/overseer is to shepherd the church of God.

We see the same truth in 1 Peter 5:1-3. In verse 1, Peter exhorts the elders of the churches. Then, in verse 2, he admonishes them to “shepherd (poimaino) the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight (episkopeo), not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you. . .” Peter goes on to talk about Jesus Christ as the Chief Shepherd. So, the task of an elder/overseer is to shepherd the flock in a manner that honors the Chief Shepherd. Thus, throught the New Testament, the terms elder, overseer, and pastor are used interchangeably and refer to the same office within a local church.

The Plurality Principle

Plural leadership within a local church is all throughout the New Testament. It’s so pervasive that one pastor said, “It’s difficult to build a scriptural argument against elder plurality in the early church.” Because of this, I just want to reference a handful of Bible verses. These verses will make the case that God desires a team of elders to shepherd and oversee a local church.

The Book of Acts: The church in Jerusalem was led by the apostles and elders (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 4, 6; 16:4; 21:18). The apostles appointed elders in every church, from Lystra to Iconium to Antioch (Acts 14:21-23). The church in Ephesus was led by elders, who were also called overseers (Acts 20:17, 28). None of these passages suggests that a local church had one elder. They suggest that each local church had plural eldership.

The Book of Philippians: In Paul’s greeting, he addresses the church in Philippi, as well as the officers: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons” (Philippians 1:1). The church in Philippi was led by a plurality of elders and served by a plurality of deacons. 

The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul asks the church in Thessalonica to respect and esteem the leaders who minister the Word of God to them. In other words, he asks them to respect and esteem the team of elders/overseers/pastors who are shepherding them: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Once again, multiple elders were laboring for the spiritual health of this church.

The Book of 1 Timothy: Paul lists the qualifications for overseers/elders/pastors. In the latter part of the letter, he instructs the church to honor and pay elders who lead and govern well, especially those who dedicate themselves to the ministry of the Word. “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Thus, a team of elders led the church in Ephesus, and on the elder team, some men especially devoted themselves to the ministry of the Word.

The Book of Titus: Paul reminds Titus of his objective in Crete, to appoint elders in local churches. “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. . .” (Titus 1:5-6). The churches in Crete were a mess. They needed plural eldership to arrive at greater spiritual health.

The Book of Hebrews: The author of Hebrews commands the church to obey and submit to their leaders because of the weighty responsibility the Lord has given them. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17). This passage does not suggest that God has called one man to keep watch over the souls of the flock. Rather, it suggests that God has called a team of elders to watch over the flock.

The Book of 1 Peter: Toward the end of his letter, Peter gives a powerful exhortation to the elders of the local church. “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3). Once again, there was plural leadership. A team of pastors was entrusted with exercising oversight and shepherding the local church.

“First, no passage suggests that any church, no matter how small, had only one elder. The consistent New Testament pattern is a plurality of elders ‘in every church’ (Acts 14:23) and ‘in every city’ (Titus 1:5). Second, we do not see a diversity of forms of government in the New Testament church, but a unified and consistent pattern in which every church had elders governing it and keeping watch over it (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2-3).” Wayne Grudem

A Summary of the New Testament on Elders

1. In the apostolic age, a plurality of elders were appointed in every church. These men were designated by the terms elder, overseer, and pastor.
2. While the Bible does not specify the exact number of elders a local church should have, it does operate on the assumption that there will be more than one.
3. The early churches selected men from within their membership to serve as elders. (It seems likely that many of them would have also continued in their normal occupations.)
4. Elders were doctrinal guardians of the flock and overseers of the church’s life. They were responsible to God for feeding, caring for, and ministering to the people of God.
5. There was a division of labor among the plural eldership. While all were appointed as elders and tasked with oversight, some were particularly called to dedicate themselves to preaching the gospel, ministering the Word, and guarding doctrine.
6. Similarly, elders were equal in rank but distinct in their service. Thus, the elders had to meet the same qualifications and had equal rank and authority, but they would serve the church in different capacities (for example, some elders labored in the ministry of the Word while others labored in different ways).
7. Elders were responsible for watching over the souls of their flock because one day the Lord Jesus Christ would call them to account.
8. The members of the flock were commanded to respect, esteem, and obey their elders.
9. The members of the flock were commanded to compensate their elders, especially those who labor and toil in the ministry of the Word.
10. The members of the flock were required to follow and imitate the faith of their elders.

The Practical Case for a Plurality of Elders

Thus far, we have observed the historical and biblical precedent for a team of elders leading a local church. It is important to note, however, that practical benefits also exist, not only for the pastor but also for the congregation. Let me mention a handful.

Biblical Accountability: Accountability is vital, and a plurality of godly elders serves as an excellent mechanism for ensuring fellow pastors remain faithful in their living, teaching, and leading. They can lovingly oversee each other’s lives and doctrines, safeguarding one another from two persistent temptations: domineering leadership and passive, people-pleasing leadership. This mutual oversight greatly benefits both the pastors, particularly the lead pastor, and the entire congregation.

Godly Wisdom: Proverbs teaches us that wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6). This principle is particularly relevant for church leadership, which involves numerous decisions. Questions arise constantly: What should be the focus of the next sermon series? What topics should we cover during Wednesday and Sunday evening gatherings? Which curriculum is best suited for our Sunday school classes? How should we guide a church member who is engaged in egregious sin?

One man will lack the comprehensive knowledge and expertise to make godly and prudent decisions in all these matters. A team of godly and mature elders, however, would offer invaluable support. Together, they could brainstorm ideas, teach and counsel one another, and provide wise advice across all these critical areas of church life.

“A plurality in the bishopric is of great importance for mutual counsel and aid, that the government and edification of the flock may be promoted in the best manner.” W.B. Johnson

Sharing Burdens: Shepherding a local church, regardless of its size, demands more than any single individual can provide. Pastors bear numerous responsibilities: they are called to preach and teach God’s word faithfully and consistently, evangelize the lost diligently, oversee church ministries effectively, manage staff and deacons competently, raise up new leaders continually, visit prospective, homebound, and sick members devotedly, officiate weddings and funerals as needed, and counsel members biblically. No matter how gifted, one person cannot consistently perform all these tasks at a high level over an extended period. However, a team of elders can work together to bear these burdens.

More Oversight: The author of Hebrews states, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Hebrews 13:17). In a single-pastor model, the lone pastor faces significant limitations in effectively watching over the souls of the membership due to strained time and short days. A team of elders, however, can overcome this challenge by dividing the membership into groups. This allows each elder to strategically and effectively provide pastoral care and oversight to their assigned group, ultimately benefiting the membership with greater care.

More Gifts: 1 Corinthians highlights that the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts upon believers, all to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). No single individual, including the lead pastor, possesses every spiritual gift. For example, a lead pastor might excel at preaching and teaching but lack gifts in pastoral visitation. In a single-pastor model, the church will suffer in areas where the sole pastor’s gifts are insufficient.

This challenge is addressed by a team of elders. Godly, mature elders can complement the lead pastor’s deficiencies, ensuring the congregation is not only edified by a pastor skilled in preaching and teaching but also cared for by other pastors gifted in leadership, administration, and visitation.

What Does This Mean for Our Church Family?

Due to a lack of clarity on my end, I think some people walked away from my Sunday evening teaching with the idea that I’d try to implement this in the near future. That is far from the case.

“No church or pastor should rush into changing its leadership structure. Careful thought, study, and planning must precede any changes, because implementing drastic changes too quickly might do the church more harm than good.” Phil Newton

I would only lead the church to adopt a plurality of elders when I see the following:

1. I have established credibility.
2. The staff is on board with the idea.
3. The congregation is convinced of its importance.
4. There are several men in our congregation aspiring to the role and work of an elder/pastor/overseer.
5. The majority of the congregation understands the difference between a deacon and an elder/pastor/overseer.
6. The majority of the congregation is equipped to elect godly, qualified men to serve as elders/pastors/overseers.
7. We have revised the constitution and bylaws.

In other words, this will be a long process. Honestly, it may never happen because the ultimate decision lies with the congregation. But I do think it’s a worthwhile endeavor!

In the meantime, I hope to do the following:

1. Emphasize the importance of having a plurality of elders in discussions regularly.
2. Teach and preach on this topic periodically (when it comes up in a passage).
3. Pray for the Lord to raise up men who understand sound doctrine and are developing their skills in teaching and defending it.
4. Identify men who are faithful, available, and teachable.
5. Gather these men for in-depth discipleship.
6. As they grow, continue to seek their godly counsel and advice.
7. As they continue to develop, provide them with opportunities to teach and preach.

Those are just some of my thoughts! I hope this provides the members of our congregation with some clarity.

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Further Reading

For those who desire to read up on this topic, here are some books. Most of them are written by Baptists. The first two books address Baptist ecclesiology as a whole. The rest address elders, a particular aspect of Baptist ecclesiology.

Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology by John Hammett

“In this useful book, professor and former pastor John Hammett helps church leaders think through foundational questions about the nature of the church. Blending biblical teaching and practical ministry experience, Hammett presents a comprehensive ecclesiology from a historic Baptist perspective, examining crucial contemporary issues such as church discipline, the role of elders, and church ministry in a post-Christian culture.”

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever

“You may have read books on this topic before but not like this one. Instead of an instruction manual for church growth, this classic text points to basic biblical principles for assessing and strengthening the health of your church. Whether you’re a pastor, a leader, or an involved member of your congregation, studying the nine marks of a healthy church will help you cultivate new life and well-being within your own church for God’s glory.”

Elders in the Life of the Church: Rediscovering the Biblical Model for Church Leadership by Phil Newton and Matt Schmucker

“Paul and Barnabas made a decisive move toward the end of the first missionary journey: they appointed elders in the churches they had established, entrusting them with responsibility to shepherd the young congregations. The need for faithful shepherding has not changed since that time, yet the leadership structure of most churches no longer follows this model. The authors argue that a return to the New Testament pattern of elder plurality best serves the shepherding needs in a local church.

The authors suggest a workable process for improving a local church’s leadership structure and making the transition to elder plurality. Along the way, the stories of the authors and other church leaders provide a narrative of how faithful elder leadership has strengthened their ministries. The book also addresses a plan for leadership development in difficult international mission settings. Church leaders will find this a useful resource for building a healthy leadership structure.”

Why Elders? A Biblical And Practical Guide for Church Members by Benjamin Merkle

“Why Elders? A Biblical and Practical Guide for Church Members is a straightforward and readable guide concerning the bibical role of elders and deacons. Each of the four major chapters answers the question as to why elders are crucial in the church today. The elder model of church leadership is important because (1) it is the pattern of the New Testament Church; (2) it provides help and accountablity for a pastor; (3) it produces a healthier church; and (4) it promotes the biblical role of deacons.”

Biblical Eldership: Restoring the Eldership to Its Rightful Place in the Local Church by Alexander Strauch

“For 35 years Biblical Eldership has been the premier book explaining the biblical teaching on church eldership, which is shared pastoral leadership by a council of scripturally qualified, Spirit-placed elders. Biblical Eldership has helped ignite a worldwide awakening to this long-neglected and misunderstood subject. This new edition is a comprehensive revision. For those who love solid Bible exposition, this is a much-welcomed volume. Every New Testament passage on eldership is carefully interpreted and expounded, allowing the biblical authors to speak for themselves. By interacting with the latest scholarship and addressing all key issues of this important topic, the author makes a significant contribution to the subjects of church government and pastoral leadership. Biblical Eldership serves as a commentary, resource tool, and textbook for developing shepherd elders. Thousands of churches worldwide have used this book for training biblical elders. With this thoroughly updated edition, Biblical Eldership will continue to be the go-to standard resource for years to come.”

Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus by Jeramie Rinne

“What does effective church leadership look like? In this conversational book, pastor Jeramie Rinne sets forth an easy-to-understand “job description” for elders drawn from the Bible’s teaching on church leadership.

Offering practical guidance for new elders and helping church members better understand and support their spiritual leaders, this succinct volume will encourage elders to embrace their calling with grace, wisdom, and clarity of vision.”

The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock by Murray Capill

“Church leadership is a shared responsibility, not a solo venture. This book equips pastors and elders to lead the church together as a team, focusing not so much on what they are to be but on what they as a body are to do. Written by a former pastor, now a seminary lecturer and longtime volunteer elder, this book is a groundbreaking resource for local churches of all shapes and sizes.”