1Pt 5:1 Leadership Tasks entrusted to Elders (c) 1989 2009 Wf Cobb Truthbase.net  Plan; Organize; Supervise; Evaluate; Sell on Change

1Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
* to be shepherds/pastor (see Psalm 23) {protect from wolves/dangers, keep healthy, lead to feed, enable to reproduce}  * to oversee (Greek = episcopos/bishop)           * to be eager to serve          * to recognize the trust given you by God    * to be an example

Embodiments of Sound Doctrine who: Edify, Encourage, Exhort, Evaluate, Expose, and Eject...according to Sound Doctrine Titus 1
Leaders who Labor and Love (desiring another's best at the expense of oneself) 1Thess 5:12 labor, rule, admonish Heb 13:7,17
Deciders, Directors and Delegators of the affairs of the Church Acts 11:30; 15:6, 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us 16:4
Entrusted with Responsibility by God  Acts 14:23 appointed 20:28 he Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds
Rulers exercising the authority of Christ 1Cor 16:15-16; 2Cor 10:8, 13:10 the authority the Lord gave me for building you up
Shepherds who watch souls (mind/will/emotions)  Heb 13:17keep watch over you as men who must give an account.

I. Acts 11:30 sending their gift to the elders  * to oversee the administration of the financial affairs of the church

II. Acts 15:2 to see the apostles and elders about this question 15:6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 15  "And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 19  "Therefore I judge that we should not...22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church 25  it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord..28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us  16:4 NIV delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders for the people to obey.
* to discover facts, deliberate, and decide the will of Christ/HS on questions facing the believers and Christ's church

III. Acts 20:17-32 the elders of the church. 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds (pastors) of the church of God, 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! 32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. * to keep watch against dangers to the healthy functioning of the Body      * to shepherd (provide protection, nourishment and discipline for) the flock  * exercise oversight/episkopos/bishop) * be on guard cx dangers to the church

IV. Eph 4:11-16 * to equip the saints for service so that believers can: be unified in their understanding of Scripture; adhere to sound doctrine; stay on track; build up each other; reproduce their lives. Only NT translation of Greek “shepherd” as “pastor”, the task given to elders.

V. 1Thess 5:12we request you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently ­labor among you, and have rule/charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction/admonishment, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
* to diligently labor among the saints  * to have charge over the saints * to warn, admonish and instruct

VI. See MARKS OF GODLINESSOutline 1Tim  3:5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)  Titus 1:5 appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
* To not be disqualified by failing to meet the standards found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. An elder is a mature model of godliness.
From these disqualifications additional elder tasks emerge: * to desire to do the work of overseeing and building up the body
* to be able to teach (know accurate content, audience needs, and how to meet the latter with the former)
* to manage (incl delegation) and take care of the affairs of the church * to encourage by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it

VII. 1Tim 5:17 The elders who direct/rule the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20  Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear    * to rule or direct the affairs of the church  * to labor in the word and teaching

VIII. Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
* to lead (generate, communicate, and sustain commonality of purpose) * to speak/teach the word
* to have communicated the obvious outcome of the goals and purpose of the leader's life
* to have a demonstrated life and faith (so that it can be imitated) {If all Christians were like this leader would God be delighted?}

IX. Heb 13:17 Obey/Be Persuaded about your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage/unprofitable to you.
* to be testable and submittable   * to give an account to God for doing the following
* to keep watch over souls = ensure that believers exchange their souls (lives) for what is worthwhile (eternal)

X. Js 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What distinguishes a Biblical church from a group of Christians or a Bible study? What is the role and function of leadership?
2. How do people become leaders/elders? Is it a function of “gifting” or maturity? Should all seek to become leaders?
3. How do the tasks/per-requisites of elders differ from that required of all believers (ie teach; 1Tim 3:2 Mt 28:19-20; 2Tim 2:2 Heb 5:12 Rm 15:14)
4. Can a church be Biblical without Biblically qualified elders? Can a Christian be Biblical without being submitted to such elders?
5. What should be the response/attitude of members of a Body to Biblical/unbiblical leadership? What should your response be?