Servant Leadership: The Role of Elders in the Church
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the critical role of church leadership, particularly the function and importance of elders within the church body. We began by examining Acts 20:28, which calls us to be on guard for ourselves and the flock, recognizing that the church is shepherded by those appointed by the Holy Spirit. This scripture set the stage for a deeper discussion on the structure and responsibilities of church leadership.
We discussed our model of church leadership, which is elder-led and congregationally informed. This means that while the church is led by a plurality of godly, qualified men called elders, the congregation is kept informed and invited to provide feedback on significant decisions. We delved into the biblical basis for this model, citing passages such as Acts 14:23 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7, which outline the qualifications and plurality of elders.
The sermon emphasized that elders are not masters but servants, called to lead not from a desire to rule but from a call to serve. We explored the three primary functions of elders: to lead and equip the church, to protect the church from false teachings, and to pray for the church. We also addressed the practical aspects of being an elder, including the balance with day jobs and the commitment required.
We touched on the sensitive topic of why we do not have women elders, explaining that while women play vital roles in the church and are essential partners in ministry, the role of elder is biblically designated for qualified men. This is not to say that one gender is more important than the other, but that both are called to serve in different capacities according to God's design.
The sermon concluded with a call to action for the congregation to support the elders through prayer, volunteering, and open communication. We were reminded that the church's health depends on the active participation and support of its members.
Key Takeaways:
- Church leadership is not about authority or power but about servant leadership under the authority of God. Elders are called to serve the body of Christ by leading, equipping, and protecting the flock, always with a posture of humility and a heart for service. [37:05]
- The role of elders is deeply rooted in Scripture, with qualifications that ensure they are above reproach, capable of teaching, and leading their own households well. This biblical model provides a foundation for healthy church governance and accountability. [14:27]
- The congregation's role in supporting church leadership is multifaceted. It involves prayer, volunteering, and providing feedback. This partnership between elders and the congregation fosters a strong, vibrant church community. [52:04]
- The discussion on gender roles within church leadership is not about superiority but about fulfilling God's design for leadership within the church. Men and women are called to different roles, each critical to the body of Christ, and when these roles are embraced with love and respect, the church thrives. [45:10]
- The sermon challenged men in the congregation to step up and serve, not out of compulsion but out of a recognition of their God-given role to lead in the church and society. When men lead according to biblical principles, it benefits the entire community. [47:01]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 20:28 - "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood."
2. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 - "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."
3. Acts 14:23 - "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 20:28, what are the responsibilities of the overseers appointed by the Holy Spirit?
2. What qualifications for elders are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7?
3. How does Acts 14:23 describe the process of appointing elders in the early church?
4. In the sermon, what are the three primary functions of elders as discussed? ([23:16])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that elders are described as overseers who must be on guard for the flock in Acts 20:28?
2. How do the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ensure that an elder is fit to lead the church? ([14:27])
3. What does the process of appointing elders in Acts 14:23 reveal about the early church's approach to leadership?
4. The sermon mentions that elders are to lead, protect, and pray for the church. How do these roles contribute to the overall health of the church? ([23:16])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Acts 20:28, how can you support your church leaders in their role as overseers? What specific actions can you take this week to show your support?
2. Considering the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, how can you strive to embody these qualities in your own life, even if you are not in a leadership position? ([14:27])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of servant leadership. How can you practice servant leadership in your daily interactions, whether at church, work, or home? ([23:16])
4. The sermon discussed the role of the congregation in supporting church leadership through prayer, volunteering, and providing feedback. What steps can you take to be more actively involved in these areas? ([52:04])
5. Reflect on the discussion about gender roles within church leadership. How can you embrace and respect the different roles men and women are called to within the church? ([45:10])
6. The sermon challenged men to step up and serve. If you are a man, what specific area of church life can you commit to serving in? If you are a woman, how can you encourage and support the men in your church to take on leadership roles? ([47:01])
7. How can you foster open communication with your church leaders to ensure that your feedback and concerns are heard and addressed? What practical steps can you take to improve this communication? ([11:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Servant Leadership in Christ's Footsteps
Elders are called to embody servant leadership, guiding the church with humility and a servant's heart. This approach to leadership is counter-cultural in a world that often equates leadership with power and control. In the church, however, leadership is about serving others, just as Christ came not to be served but to serve. Elders are to be vigilant, not only for the well-being of the church but also for their own spiritual health, as they cannot lead others where they have not been themselves. They must be grounded in the Word, prayerful, and committed to the flock's spiritual growth and protection. This servant leadership is a high calling, requiring a deep love for the church and a willingness to put the needs of others before one's own.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice servant leadership in your own life, and what might be the first step in putting the interests of others before your own today? [37:05]
Day 2: Scriptural Foundation for Eldership
The role of elders is not a human invention but a divine mandate, with clear qualifications and responsibilities outlined in Scripture. Elders are to be above reproach, skilled in teaching, and exemplary in leading their families, as their ability to manage their household well speaks to their capacity to care for God's church. These qualifications are not arbitrary but serve to ensure that those leading are spiritually mature and capable of guiding others in their walk with Christ. The plurality of elders provides a system of accountability and shared wisdom, which is essential for balanced and godly church governance.
"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." (Titus 1:7-8 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate the qualities of a godly leader in your own life, even if you are not called to be an elder? [14:27]
Day 3: Congregational Support for Leadership
The health of a church is significantly influenced by the relationship between its leaders and the congregation. While elders are tasked with leading and protecting the church, they also depend on the support of the congregation through prayer, service, and constructive feedback. This partnership is vital for a thriving church community, where each member plays a role in the body of Christ. The congregation's engagement is not passive but active, contributing to the church's mission and vision through their unique gifts and talents.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can actively support your church leadership this week, and how can you encourage others in your church community to do the same? [52:04]
Day 4: Embracing God's Design for Gender Roles
The discussion of gender roles within the church is not about hierarchy but about embracing the unique roles that God has designed for men and women. While the role of elder is biblically designated for qualified men, women are equally important and serve in various capacities that are crucial to the church's life and growth. Understanding and respecting these roles allows the church to function as a harmonious body, with each member contributing according to their God-given design and calling.
"As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says." (1 Corinthians 14:33-34 ESV)
Reflection: How can you better appreciate and support the diverse roles within your church community, recognizing the value of each person's contribution to the body of Christ? [45:10]
Day 5: The Call for Men to Lead Righteously
Men in the congregation are challenged to step up and lead, not out of a sense of obligation but from a recognition of their God-given role within the church and society. When men lead according to biblical principles, they set a positive example for the community and contribute to a culture that honors God. This call to leadership is not about asserting dominance but about serving faithfully in the roles God has entrusted to them, whether in the church, the family, or the workplace.
"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." (1 Timothy 2:8 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can take on a greater leadership role, and how can you ensure that your leadership reflects Christ's love and humility? [47:01]
Quotes
"For me, serving as an elder means we have a responsibility and obligation to you. How can we love you, care for you, serve you, in some form or fashion that maximizes not only our living for the glory of God but also your living for the glory of God? Because at the end of the day, that's what each of us has as our purpose, to glorify God and to make much of His name." [31:56]
"The thing that strikes me the most about being an elder is the amount of responsibility that we carry. We're responsible for what we do, we're responsible to Jesus, to act on His behalf and to represent Him to other people. And if we take it seriously, like they said, it makes you humble. The first thing you think is, 'Well, I'm not worthy to do this. I'm not able to do this.' But God working through us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, allows us to do what we need to do." [35:35]
"I didn't aspire to be an elder, but it turned out that way because of everything they've said. My number one thing in my head is to tread carefully, tread correctly because we're here for the protection of the church, the theology. We have a world out there that is so messed up with syncretism and false doctrine and heresy. We've got to have a home base somewhere that's correct, and we strive to make sure that we live that way and we communicate that." [37:05]
"The biblical Church leadership is important because without it, God's people can be like sheep without shepherds. Elders are servants, they are not masters, and their leadership comes from their call to serve, not from their desire to rule. Elders are always servants before they are leaders; that's why we say they are servant leaders." [30:03]
"We talk about serving in our volunteer teams and our missionary teams, and we really mean that. It's not just for the people that need someone to serve them, but it's for you to equip you, to empower you, to engage with you so that you're more effective in living out the gospel call not just here but also as we leave this building. It's all about getting ready for what we go out these doors to go do. We're all on mission." [55:08]
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