Biblical Eldership: Feed My Sheep

Feed My Sheep 1 Peter 5:1-4 Biblical Eldership • Recognized leaders (Genesis 50:7; Exodus 3:16-18) • Assistants to Moses (Numbers 11:16ff); maintained throughout the Old Testament. • Key in crucifying Jesus (Matthew 27:1-41) • First used of the New Testament office in Acts 11:30 • Necessary part of every church (Acts 14:23); essential in forming New Testament doctrine (15:1ff) • Two types of Elders: 1 Timothy 5:17-18 Qualifications of Elders • Qualifications found in primarily two places: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 • Points that Stand Out: 1. The elder’s primary concern is accurate doctrine and teaching. 2. Elders are men who are committed to whatever family God has given them. 3. For all need of elders to hold passionately to the Word as taught in the New Testament, their overall disposition is one of meekness, humility, and patience. Elders, Shepherds, Overseers – 1 Peter 5 1. Pastoral Titles/Actions: • Elders: most common NT title • Pastors: see John 21:15-17 and Ephesians 4:11 • Overseers: see Acts 20:28, “to care for the church;” Jesus is the chief “Overseer” (see 1 Peter 2:25) 2. Pastoral Method: • Not compelled by man, but willing (1 Peter 5:2a) • Not motivated by money, but eager (1 Peter 5:2b) • Not bullying people, but modeling (1 Peter 5:3) Elders, Shepherds, Overseers – 1 Peter 5 3. Pastoral Motivation: • We serve a Chief Shepherd who is coming in glory (notice the wrap-around from verse 1 to verse 4) • We shall receive a reward: a. The reward is certain b. The reward is eternal (for “unfading” see 1 Peter 1:4) c. The reward is triumphant (a victor’s crown) Elders at FBC • At present, we have four elders, three of whom serve vocationally – Steve Ransom is our lone lay-elder. • Pastoral Roles (we all engage in all these activities from time to time): • Pastor Dom – Pastoral Care; Senior Saints; Parsonage Lead • Pastor Chris – Children, Youth, Administration, Presentation • Pastor Greg – Teaching, Counseling, General Oversight Applications • We must hold unapologetically to the gender demands that the New Testament puts upon us. • We (the men of FBC) must guard ourselves from a general unwillingness to serve in the office of elder, but rather strive to qualify ourselves for the task should the Lord call upon us.