The Life & Work of an Elder

ü      Be mindful about how you live you life.  “Therefore take heed to yourselves” (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:2, 7; Titus 1:6).

ü      The spiritual welfare of the church must be your priority.  “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock…” (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17)

ü      In matters of expediency, elders are in charge.   “…among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…”  (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).

ü      Elders must be leaders of God’s people. “…shepherd the church of God…” (Acts 20:28; John 10:3)

ü      Realize the awesome responsibility & privilege of being an elder.  “…shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17).

ü      Protect the church from false doctrine and false teachers.  “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29; Mt. 7:15).

ü      Elders must keep a check on one another.  “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30; 3 Jn. 9).

ü      Watch out for and warn the flock of anything that would jeopardize their souls. “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31; Heb. 3:12).

ü      Give yourself fully to God.  “So now, brethren, I commend you to God…” (Acts 20:32; Acts 6:4).

ü      Give yourself fully to the Word of God.  “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32, Titus 1:9-11).

ü      Encourage/Strengthen those who are weak in the faith.  “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak” (Acts 20:35, Heb. 12:12-13).

ü      Realize the blessing of being a giving person.  “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:35; Lk. 6:36; Jn. 3:16).

ü      Be a man of prayer.  “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all” (Acts 20:36; Acts 6:4).

**In our English Bible there are six words that are used to describe the office of an elder.  However, in the New Testament there are only three Greek words that describe this office. 

1.      Presbuteros— “Elder, or Presbyter”,  means governed by elders (Acts 20:17)

2.      Episkopos— “Bishop, or Overseer”, means to govern, be in charge of (Acts 20:28)

3.     Poimen— “Shepherd, or Pastor”—implies leadership qualities (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5).