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Study 04 of 18

The Importance of the Church Elder

Old Testament roots, New Testament office, Adventist history

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Elders appear throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament they were heads of families and tribes; Jethro's counsel (Exod. 18:17-18) and the seventy elders (Num. 11:16-17) show shared spiritual leadership, chosen for dignity, sound judgment and experience, and required to judge impartially. In the New Testament 'elder,' 'bishop' and 'overseer' describe the same office (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4), alongside the itinerant apostolic ministry. Adventist history followed a similar path: early congregations elected deacons but not elders; in 1854-55 Joseph Bates and J. B. Frisbie described two kinds of leaders; in 1861 J. N. Loughborough, Moses Hull and M. E. Cornell concluded that Scripture prescribes the election and ordination of elders and deacons; by 1875 elders were authorized to visit members, conduct ordinances in the pastor's absence, and call business meetings. In recent years both men and women may serve as local elders where the division committee approves and the local congregation agrees. Today local elders preach and lead more services than all Adventist pastors combined.

Key points

  • Old Testament elders led families and tribes and judged impartially.
  • 'Elder,' 'bishop' and 'overseer' describe the same New Testament office.
  • Adventist elders were established by biblical study in the early 1860s.
  • By 1875 elders visited members, conducted ordinances in the pastor's absence, and called business meetings.
  • Multi-church districts make the elder's work more essential than ever.
  • Elder's Digest and Ministry magazine exist to train and support elders.

Key texts

  • Exodus 18:17-18
  • Numbers 11:16-17
  • 1 Timothy 3:1-7
  • Titus 1:5-9
  • 1 Peter 5:1-4
  • Acts 20:17, 28
  • James 5:13-15
  1. Comprehension

    1. What was the role of elders in Old Testament Israel?

  2. Scripture

    2. Read Exodus 18:17-18. What was Jethro's diagnosis of Moses' leadership?

  3. Scripture

    3. What happened in Numbers 11:16-17, and what does it teach about shared ministry?

  4. Comprehension

    4. Which three New Testament words describe the same office, according to the handbook?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. How did the two types of New Testament leadership differ?

  6. Comprehension

    6. Trace briefly how Adventist elders came to be established.

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. What does the Church Manual say an elder must do about baptism when no ordained pastor is present?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast the elder as 'the oldest member' with the elder as 'a strong spiritual leader.'

  9. Application

    9. Why does the rise of multi-church districts increase the importance of elders?

  10. Application

    10. What training are you personally receiving for this office, and what will you add this year?