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

C. The elder is a colleague , Phil. 1.1.

The elder is one among many. Whatever the system of government we might hold to within our church tradition, an elder was surrounded by others with whom they worked as a team together to address the concerns of the Church.

1. The elders are mentioned in the plural in the Scriptures in a number of examples.

a. Acts 20.17 - Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

b. 1 Tim. 5.17 - Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

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c. Titus 1.5 - 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.

d. James 5.14 - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church , and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

e. 1 Pet. 5.1 - 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.

2. This implies cooperation and collaboration : the ability to support one another and build each other up as they led others together.