Why A Plurality of Elders

While many denominations have solitary church offices (Catholic and Anglican Priests, Pentecostal Pastors or even Baptists Ministers), the Bible speaks of the office of elder/overseer/shepherd (pastor), which are synonymous (c.f. 1 Pet 5:1–2), as being plural. For example, 1 Pet 5:1 is addressed to the ‘elders’ and Paul installed ‘elders’ in his missions (Acts 14:23) and wrote to the ‘overseers and deacons’ (Phil 1:1). Even Clement of Rome, considered an early Pope by Catholics, spoke of overseers in his letter to the Corinthians (e.g. 1 Clement 42). While there would of necessity always be an elder who acted as a ‘first among equals’ (c.f. Lk 8:41- the synagogue ruler), there was a plural team of elders. This all followed an ancient pattern going back to Moses, the Sanhedrin and the synagogues.

So why in God’s wisdom did He will a plurality of elders. There are at least 6 simple reasons. Perhaps you can think of more:

1. Accountability: While solo-elders are still accountable to the congregation under Christ, having a team of men to which you are each accountable provides direct team oversight of each elders’ ministries. With elders there oughtn’t to be a one man show as together thy seek the mind of Christ.
2. Support: Ministry is difficult, and you encounter tricky situations. Having other men who likewise labour and understand the challenges, helps the elders to encourage each other and support their respective ministries.
3. Pastoral Care: Congregations can get large and busy. Having a team of shepherds helps ensure fewer people fall through the cracks.
4. Gifts: Every man of God, as every Christian, has unique gifts. A solo-elder is expected to be everything—preacher, visitor, inspirer, administrator, legal expert, etc—but in a team the men God brings together share their gifts to support the others’ weaknesses and thus form a complementary unit.
5. Workload: One of the reasons for burn-out can be when what God intended to fall to a team falls to one man. Sharing workload is a great way to help keep each elder focused on their ministries and refreshed.
6. Representation: The elders and their wives, give a good sounding board of the life of the congregation as they represent a small cross-section of it. A team of elders should have a better sense of the congregation (and it’s community) than one man.

​Further Reading: Jeramie Rinne, Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People like Jesus. (9 Marks)