Among churches of Christ, elders and deacons are not what they used to be. Our perspective on leadership in the church has become warped over time by our culture. Look again at a familiar text which is often quoted to demonstrate what church leadership should be in the New Testament church. Paul, with apostolic authority, writes to the church in Philippi and addresses his letter to “the saints in Christ Jesus,” who include “the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1).
Elders are not the CEOs of the congregation—that’s a modern concept which, to be sure, may be attractive to some. But modern management methods are not what God wants for the church. Instead the Lord has in mind an elder who combines with the wisdom of age and experience, the functions of under-shepherd and overseer, or bishop, as episcopos is sometimes translated. He is not to “lord it over” the congregation but to be an example. He doesn’t follow the wisdom of management gurus but works “according to the will of God” and “not for sordid gain.” (I Peter 5:2-4).
The elder’s leadership is based largely on his character which is, among other things, to be “temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable ... not pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money” (1 Timothy 3). Added attributes are that he is “not self-willed, not quick-tempered ... loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled” (Titus 1). His leadership ability is demonstrated by how he has raised his family and when the word “manage” is used, as it is in this context, it means one who has authority to govern or superintend.
As shepherd, the elder is concerned with the welfare of the members and helps them to grow by pasturing them where there is good food (Acts 20:28). In the words of Peter, he sees that they receive “the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). The elder is to guard the members from interference by false teachers who might try to enter the congregation, and is to watch that no one in the congregation, even from among the elders, tries to speak “perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30).
A deacon’s qualities include “dignity, not double-tongued, ... not fond of sordid gain, holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience ... beyond reproach ... good managers” (1 Timothy 3:8-12). They are to “serve well” as deacons taking care of the tasks over which they have been put in charge. There is no Scripture which even hints that they are responsible for more than this. The deacons add greatly to the effectiveness of the congregation’s work of reaching out to the lost and taking care of members’ needs.
All who are elders and deacons have taken on essentially servant roles, following the example that Jesus gave when He washed His disciples’ feet. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15).
As we install additional elders and deacons today, we need to refresh our minds about what is scripturally to be expected of them and the present elders and deacons. We also need to realize that the congregation has responsibilities to these men. “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Paul tells the Corinthians to “be in subjection” to men who, like Stephanus, who have “devoted themselves for ministry to the saints” and “to everyone who helps in the work and labors” (1 Corinthians 16:15-16).