Elders; Primary or Plurality

Elders; Primary or Plurality

                  Throughout church history, there have traditionally been two principal positions regarding the structure of leadership in the local church.  These two approaches are:  (1) Plurality of elders, and (2) Unitary Leadership.  I am convinced that a decision-making plurality of elders best harmonizes with Scripture, as articulated in both the Old and New Testaments.  Therefore, I reject the unitary model or structure of church government.  Throughout the Old Testament, leadership by a council of elders is the primary governmental structure for the nation of Israel (Ex 3:16; Ezra 10:8).  The New Testament, moreover, records that Paul the Apostle, a Jew--thoroughly immersed in the OT and Jewish culture--appointed a plurality of elders to guide newly founded churches:  “And when they had ordained them elders in every church . . .” (Acts 14:23).

              Plurality, or shared leadership, is not merely a modern concept.  It is significant that our Lord Jesus Christ did not appoint “one” man to lead His church; rather, He personally appointed and trained twelve men—a plurality, or council, of leadership.  Thus, we see it is the head of the church, Jesus Christ, who has established precedence for a plurality of leadership.  Paul the Apostle, being commissioned by Christ Himself, commanded Titus to, “ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).  Further, Paul summoned the elders (plural) at Ephesus for his farewell exhortation, “. . . and called the elders of the church . . .” (Acts 20:17-18).  The Apostle Peter spoke much regarding the responsibility for shepherding the flock, suggesting in particular that this critical task belongs to elders from among the local congregation.  Peter said, “The elders which are among you . . . Feed the flock of God which is among you . . .” (1 Peter 5:1-2).  The Apostle James naturally assumes that there will be elders (plural) available to pray for the sick in each church; he proclaims, “Is any sick among you?  Let him call for the elders of the church . . .” (James 5:14).

                  Though the Scripture seems very clearly to advocate a plurality of leadership, the topic remains as deeply contested today as it has been throughout the history of the church.  Some argue that the New Testament provides a single elder structure for church government and rejects a plurality of leadership.  John Hammett explains, “Perhaps the classic case for the single pastor is that given by A. H Strong in his influential theology text.  Negatively, he begins by noting that there is no requirement for a plural eldership.”[1]    As Alexander Strauch writes, “By definition, the elder structure of government is a collective form of leadership in which each elder shares equally the position, authority, and responsibility of the office.”[2]

                  Theologically, the plurality of elders seems to fit the biblical pattern of Scripture.  Consider the doctrine of human depravity; it warns us not to entrust too much authority to a single man. There are others to consider that would be benefits for the local church; true biblical accountability, balancing and lightening the load, balancing people’s weaknesses, the dreadful realities of sin, etc.  James White “sees a plurality as advantageous in fostering maturity as elders learn from each other, in providing a check for the errors of any one man, and as helping in the exercise of church discipline.”[3] As we see biblically and theologically, there are advantages for the position of plurality of elders that preside over each local congregation.    

Tregg Istre