Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

representatives, or commissioned within the Christian community. The Pastoral epistles lay out clear spiritual qualifications for elders, including being spiritually mature leaders able to preach and teach, charged with the responsibility to guard and shepherd God’s flock. Our objective for this segment, The Christian Leader as Elder: Definition and Overview , is to enable you to see that: • The term translated elder in our NT is the Greek term presbyteros , meaning “overseer” or “elder.” • Many scholars contend that the Greek words for leadership in the NT presbyteros and episkopos refer to the same office in the NT Church, with the main difference being that episkopos is used only in the Gentile church. • The NT concept of elder can be seen to have evolved and been built upon the concept of elder in the OT, with its roots in the tribal system of Israel, which developed further in the practices of the Jewish synagogue, as well as its usage as an official position in the Sanhedrin, and finally to the NT Church. • The NT provides clear records of the calling of elders, who were either appointed by the apostles or their representatives, or commissioned within the Christian community. The Pastoral epistles lay out clear spiritual qualifications for elders, including being spiritually mature leaders able to preach and teach, charging them with the responsibility to guard and shepherd God’s flock. • According to the injunctions of the NT, elders presided over the spiritual and social affairs of the Church, gave pastoral care to its members, and served as role models for the disciples gathered in community. • Elders must be people of recognized spiritual maturity and gifting, providing oversight to the doctrine, affairs, and governance of the Church.

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