Shepherd, Pastor, Elder, Leader and Overseer

 What is the biblical function of a pastor?  The Bible teaches a pastor is to:
1.  Feed with spiritual food, that is Teach the sheep.  Refresh, nourish, equip, edify.
2.  Lead: guide, direct, rule, administrate, govern, correct, model for the sheep.
3.  Protect: guard against false teaching and false teachers, defend the faith.
4.  Care for: love, nurture, comfort, counsel, discipline, exhort, admonish, pray for. . .

In the Bible the words for ‘pastor’ and ‘shepherds’ of literal sheep are the exact same words.  What an actual shepherd does for real sheep a teaching-shepherd or pastor is to do for spiritual sheep.  The Hebrew verb’s main focus is on the feeding of the sheep, yet it includes all aspects of care for the sheep.  The Greek verb and nouns mainly focus on the sheep that are to be fed, lead, protected, and cared for by the teaching-sheep-leader.

The ideas that a pastor is a CEO, corporate manager, or a social director for a social club have not come from the Bible, but from an anti-Christian culture.  Spiritual feeding, equipping, and edifying are forever the main tasks of any man called to the office of Teaching-Shepherd.  The only biblical use of the term ‘pastor’ is for one who feeds, leads, protects and cares for the sheep.  The terms elder and overseer carry the same ideas but focus more on the ruling and modeling aspects of the pastor’s office.

Hebrew: ra-ah, Verb: to graze, to shepherd

(not an exhaustive list)

(Genesis 46:34 NKJV)  "that you shall say, 'Your servants' occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,' that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd {feeder of sheep} [ra-ah, Verb] is an abomination to the Egyptians.

(Genesis 49:24 NKJV)  But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, [ra-ah, Verb] the Stone of Israel),

(Numbers 27:17 NKJV)  "who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd [ra-ah, Verb]."

(2 Samuel 5:2 NKJV)  "Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd {shall feed} [ra-ah, Verb] My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.'"


(2 Samuel 7:7 NKJV)  "Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd {to feed} [ra-ah, Verb] My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'" '

(1 Kings 22:17 NKJV)  Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. [ra-ah, Verb] And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'"

(1 Chronicles 11:2 NKJV)  "Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.'"

(1 Chronicles 17:6 NKJV)  "Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] My people, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'" '

(2 Chronicles 18:16 NKJV)  Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. [ra-ah, Verb] And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'"

(Psalms 23 NIV)  A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, [ra-ah, Verb] I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. {6} Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(Psalms 28:9 NKJV)  Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd {feed} [ra-ah, Verb] them also, And bear them up forever.

(Psalms 78:71,72 NKJV)  From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance.  So he shepherded [ra-ah, Verb] them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

(Psalms 80:1 NKJV)  Give ear, O Shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

(Ecclesiastes 12:11 NKJV)  The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd [ra-ah, Verb].

(Isaiah 40:11 NKJV)  He will feed [ra-ah, Verb] His flock like a shepherd; [ra-ah, Verb] He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

(Isaiah 44:28 NKJV)  Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, [ra-ah, Verb] And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."'

(Jeremiah 17:16 NKJV)  As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd {a pastor} [ra-ah, Verb] who follows You, Nor have I desired the woeful day; You know what came out of my lips; It was right there before You.

(Jeremiah 31:10 NKJV)  "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] does his flock.'

(Jeremiah 49:19 NKJV)  "Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the flood plain of the Jordan Against the dwelling place of the strong; But I will suddenly make him run away from her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? For who is like Me? Who will arraign Me? And who is that shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] who will withstand Me?"

(Ezekiel 34:2-4 NKJV)  "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds [ra-ah, Verb] of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds:[ra-ah, Verb] "Woe to the shepherds [ra-ah, Verb] of Israel who feed [ra-ah, Verb] themselves! Should not the shepherds feed [ra-ah, Verb] the flocks? {3} "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed [ra-ah, Verb] the flock. {4} "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.  {5} "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; [ra-ah, Verb] and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. {8}"as I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, [ra-ah, Verb] nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock"; {12}"As a shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. {23}"I will establish one shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] over them, and he shall feed them; My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd [ra-ah, Verb].  {24}"David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; [ra-ah, Verb] they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.



(Amos 3:12 NKJV)  Thus says the LORD: "As a shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] takes from the mouth of a lion Two legs or a piece of an ear, So shall the children of Israel be taken out Who dwell in Samaria; In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!

(Micah 7:14 NKJV)  Shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] Your people with Your staff, The flock of Your heritage, Who dwell solitarily in a woodland, In the midst of Carmel; Let them feed [ra-ah, Verb] in Bashan and Gilead, As in days of old.

(Zechariah 10:2 NKJV)  For the idols speak delusion; The diviners envision lies, And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; They are in trouble because there is no shepherd [ra-ah, Verb].

(Zechariah 11:15-17 NKJV)  And the LORD said to me, "Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. [ra-ah, Verb] {16} "For indeed I will raise up a shepherd [ra-ah, Verb] in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. {17} "Woe to the worthless shepherd, [ra-ah, Verb] Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded."

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Greek: poimaino to herd or tend sheep; rule, govern; shepherd, care for, look after, nourish.

Poimain: Shepherd, herdsman.   poimnay, flock, literally sheep, figuratively people.

(Matthew 2:6 NKJV)  'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd [poimaino verb] My people Israel.'"

(Matthew 9:36 NKJV)  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. [poimain, Noun]

(Matthew 25:32 NKJV)  "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd [poimain, Noun] divides his sheep from the goats.

(Matthew 26:31 NKJV)  Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, [poimain, Noun] And the sheep of the flock [poimnay, Noun] will be scattered.'   (Mark 14:27)

(Mark 6:34 NKJV)  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. [poimain, Noun] So He began to teach them many things.
(Luke 2:8,15,18,20 NKJV)  Now there were in the same country shepherds [poimain, Noun] living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock [poimnay, Noun] by night. {15}  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds [poimain, Noun] said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." {18} And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the [poimain, Noun] shepherds. {20} Then the shepherds [poimain, Noun] returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

(Luke 12:32 NKJV)  "Do not fear, little flock [poimnion, Noun], for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

(Luke 17:7)  "And which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding [poimaino verb] sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?

(John 10:2 NKJV)  "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd [poimain, Noun] of the sheep.{11-12}  "I am the good shepherd. [poimain, Noun] The good shepherd [poimain, Noun] gives His life for the sheep. {12} "But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, [poimain, Noun] one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. {14}  "I am the good shepherd; [poimain, Noun] and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  {16}   "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock [poimnay, Noun] and one shepherd.  [poimain, Noun]

(John 21:15-17 NKJV)  So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed [poimaino verb] My lambs." {16} He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." {17} He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

(Acts 20:28 NKJV)  "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, [poimnion, Noun] among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd [poimaino verb] the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  {29}  "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  [poimnion, Noun]

(1 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)  Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends {feeds} [poimaino verb] a flock [poimnay, Noun] and does not drink of the milk of the flock?[poimnay, Noun]
(Ephesians 4:11-16)  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some teaching - pastors,  [poimain, Noun]  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

(Hebrews 13:20 NKJV)  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd [poimain, Noun] of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

(1 Peter 2:25 NKJV)  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd [poimain, Noun] and Overseer of your souls.    

(1 Peter 5:2 NKJV)  Shepherd {feed} [poimaino, verb] the flock [poimnion, Noun] of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; {3}  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock [poimnion, Noun]; {4}  and when the Chief Shepherd [poimenos, Noun ]appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

(Jude 1:12)  These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding [poimaino verb] only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

(Revelation 2:27 NKJV)  'He shall rule [poimaino, verb] them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'; as I also have received from My Father;

(Revelation 7:17 NKJV)  "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will {feed} shepherd [poimaino, verb] them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

(Revelation 12:5 NKJV)  She bore a male Child who was to rule [poimaino, verb] all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.


(Revelation 19:15 NKJV)  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule [poimaino, verb] them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

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Leaders, rulers

(Acts 6:2-4 NKJV)  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. {3} "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

(Hebrews 13:7,17 NKJV)  Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. {17}  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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overseers, bishops

(Genesis 39:4-5 NKJV)  So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. {5} So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

(2 Kings 22:5 NKJV)  "And let them deliver it into the hand of those doing the work, who are the overseers in the house of the LORD; let them give it to those who are in the house of the LORD doing the work, to repair the damages of the house;

(2 Kings 22:9 NKJV)  So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, "Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the LORD."

(1 Chronicles 26:24 NKJV)  Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.



(2 Chronicles 2:2 NKJV)  Solomon selected seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand to quarry stone in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them.

(2 Chronicles 2:18 NKJV)  And he made seventy thousand of them bearers of burdens, eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountain, and three thousand six hundred overseers to make the people work.

(2 Chronicles 34:17 NKJV)  "And they have gathered the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and the workmen."

(Nehemiah 11:9 NKJV)  Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

(Nehemiah 11:14 NKJV)  and their brethren, mighty men of valor, were one hundred and twenty-eight. Their overseer was Zabdiel the son of one of the great men.

(Proverbs 6:7 NKJV)  Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,

(Acts 20:28 NKJV)  "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

(1 Peter 2:25 NKJV)  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

(1 Peter 5:2 NKJV)  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

(1 Timothy 3:1-2 NKJV)  This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a overseer, he desires a good work. {2} A overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

(Titus 1:7 NKJV)  For an overseer must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

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Elders

(Genesis 50:7 NKJV)  So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

(Exodus 3:16 NKJV)  "Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;

(Exodus 3:18 NKJV)  "Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'

(Exodus 4:29 NKJV)  Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.

(Exodus 12:21 NKJV)  Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.

(Exodus 17:5-6 NKJV)  And the LORD said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. {6} "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

(Exodus 18:12 NKJV)  Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

(Exodus 19:7 NKJV)  So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.

(Exodus 24:1 NKJV)  Now He said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

(Exodus 24:9 NKJV)  Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,

(Exodus 24:14 NKJV)  And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them."

(Leviticus 4:15 NKJV)  'And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD. Then the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

(Leviticus 9:1 NKJV)  It came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.

(Numbers 11:16 NKJV)  So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.

(Numbers 11:24-25 NKJV)  So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. {25} Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.

(Numbers 11:30 NKJV)  And Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel.

(Deuteronomy 5:23 NKJV)  "So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders.

(Deuteronomy 19:12 NKJV)  "then the elders of his city shall send and bring him from there, and deliver him over to the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

(Deuteronomy 21:2-4 NKJV)  "then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance from the slain man to the surrounding cities. {3} "And it shall be that the elders of the city nearest to the slain man will take a heifer which has not been worked and which has not pulled with a yoke. {4} "The elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with flowing water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and they shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.

(Deuteronomy 21:6 NKJV)  "And all the elders of that city nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley.

(Deuteronomy 21:19-20 NKJV)  "then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. {20} "And they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'

(Deuteronomy 22:15-18 NKJV)  "then the father and mother of the young woman shall take and bring out the evidence of the young woman's virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. {16} "And the young woman's father shall say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter to this man as wife, and he detests her. {17} 'Now he has charged her with shameful conduct, saying, "I found your daughter was not a virgin," and yet these are the evidences of my daughter's virginity.' And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. {18} "Then the elders of that city shall take that man and punish him;

(Deuteronomy 25:7-9 NKJV)  "But if the man does not want to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.' {8} "Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, 'I do not want to take her,' {9} "then his brother's wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, 'So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother's house.'

(Deuteronomy 27:1 NKJV)  Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: "Keep all the commandments which I command you today.

(Deuteronomy 29:10 NKJV)  "All of you stand today before the LORD your God: your leaders and your tribes and your elders and your officers, all the men of Israel,

(Deuteronomy 31:9 NKJV)  So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

(Deuteronomy 31:28 NKJV)  "Gather to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.

(Joshua 7:6 NKJV)  Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.

(Joshua 8:33 NKJV)  Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and judges, stood on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, the stranger as well as he who was born among them. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

(Joshua 23:2 NKJV)  And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: "I am old, advanced in age.



(Joshua 24:1 NKJV)  Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

(Joshua 24:31 NKJV)  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.

(Judges 2:7 NKJV)  So the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.

(Ruth 4:2 NKJV)  And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here." So they sat down.

(Ruth 4:4 NKJV)  "And I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.' " And he said, "I will redeem it."

(Ruth 4:9 NKJV)  And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi.

(Ruth 4:11 NKJV)  And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

(1 Samuel 4:3 NKJV)  And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies."

(1 Samuel 8:4 NKJV)  Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,

(2 Samuel 5:3 NKJV)  Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel.




(1 Kings 8:1 NKJV)  Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion.

(1 Kings 8:3 NKJV)  So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

(1 Kings 12:6 NKJV)  Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer these people?"

(1 Kings 20:7-8 NKJV)  So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him." {8} And all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not listen or consent."

(1 Chronicles 11:3 NKJV)  Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

(Ezra 5:5 NKJV)  But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.

(Ezra 6:7-8 NKJV)  Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. {8} Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king's expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered.

(Ezra 10:8 NKJV)  and that whoever would not come within three days, according to the instructions of the leaders and elders, all his property would be confiscated, and he himself would be separated from the assembly of those from the captivity.

(Proverbs 31:23 NKJV)  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

(Ezekiel 8:11 NKJV)  And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel . . .

(Ezekiel 20:1 NKJV)  It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

(Joel 1:14 NKJV)  Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.

(Matthew 16:21 NKJV)  From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

(Matthew 26:3 NKJV)  Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

(Acts 4:8 NKJV)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

(Acts 11:30 NKJV)  This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

(Acts 14:23 NKJV)  So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

(Acts 15:2 NKJV)  Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

(Acts 15:4 NKJV)  And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

(Acts 15:6 NKJV)  Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

(Acts 15:22-23 NKJV)  Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. {23} They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

(Acts 20:17 NKJV)  From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

(Acts 21:18 NKJV)  On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

(1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV)  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
(1 Timothy 5:19 NKJV)  Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

(Titus 1:5 NKJV)  For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you;

(James 5:14 NKJV)  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

(1 Peter 5:1 NKJV)  The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

(1 Peter 5:5 NKJV)  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

(Revelation 4:4 NKJV)  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

(Revelation 4:10 NKJV)  the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

(Revelation 19:4 NKJV)  And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!"

Book Review: Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

            With many modern attempts to restore proper biblical leadership in the Kingdom, J. Oswald Sanders contributed his work Spiritual Leadership to these noble efforts.  In his topical, systematic approach to issues with spiritual leadership, Sanders desire was the cultivation and enhancement of those pursuing the call of leadership in the Body.  He wrote, “The material has been presented in a form that is calculated to be of help even to younger Christians in whose hearts the Holy Spirit is working to create a holy ambition to place all their powers at the disposal of the Redeemer” (11-12).  Within his work, Sanders walked the reader from the foundational to the qualities of spiritual leadership, and the necessities to the pitfalls, partaking from biblical examples of leadership to forge sound advice to those desiring the office of leadership.

            As Sanders walked the reader through the course of spiritual leadership development, he maintained a excellent structure and flow throughout the work.  In the first five chapters, Sanders dealt with the “honorable ambition” of the call to spiritual leadership, and rhetorically begged the question of the reader, “Can you become a leader?” (36-37).   With a solid foundation established, Sanders, in the next five chapters, sought insights on leadership from Paul and Peter, explained essential qualities of leadership, noting that “above all else,” the leader was to be Spirit-filled, as “to be Spirit-filled is indispensable” (79).  Afterward, in chapters eleven through eighteen, he discussed the importance of prayer, time, reading, improving leadership, its cost, responsibilities, tests, and the need for delegation.  In chapters nineteen through twenty-two, he wrote regarding the replacement (Moses and Joshua), reproduction (Paul and Timothy), and perils of leadership, concluding with the example of Nehemiah.  Throughout this conscientious effort, Sanders structure and flow of his work allowed him to remain consistent and comprehensive regarding his topic.

            As Sanders discussed the foundational aspects of leadership, he noted, “True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (15).  Also, “Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or churchly assemblies.  God alone makes them.  One does not become a spiritual leader by merely filling an office, taking course work in the subject, or resolving in one’s own will to do the task.  A person must qualify to be a spiritual leader” (18).  Evidently, God’s foundational model was different from the ideals of what Sanders called “natural leadership,” (Self-confident, ambitious, seeks personal reward, etc.) however, “Both natural and spiritual qualities reach their greatest effectiveness when employed in the service of God and for His glory” (28-29).  Ultimately, “there is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader” (28).

With these truths as the underpinning of spiritual leadership, Sanders begged the question of personal qualification to the reader, asking varied questions grounded in biblical precept.  He said, “Desirable qualities were present in all their fullness in the character of our Lord.  Each Christian should make it his constant prayer that they might more rapidly be incorporated into their own personality” (37).  Using the examples of Paul and Peter, Sanders examined the qualities of spiritual leadership.  He referenced 1 Timothy, stating, “The qualities of leadership Paul taught are as relevant now as during the first century A.D.  We dare not toss them off as antiquated or carelessly regard them as mere options.”  As for Peter, Sanders referenced 1 Peter 5, encouraging, “The Christian leader need not fear that care of the flock of God will be too heavy a burden.  By God’s invitation, the leader can transfer the weight of spiritual burdens onto shoulders bigger, stronger, broader, and more durable.  God cares for you.  Let worries go!” (50).  While examining other qualities of the spiritual leader, he wrote, “God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind.  Training methods are adapted to the mission, and natural and spiritual gifts are given with clear purpose” (51).  As essentials, he listed the qualities of discipline, vision, wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity, and sincerity (53-62).  Other qualities mentioned were humor, (righteous) anger, patience, friendship, tact and diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability and letter writing (67-76).  As mentioned earlier, that “above all else,” the leader was to be Spirit-filled, as “to be Spirit-filled is indispensable” (79).

Sanders not only identified the foundational and the qualities of spiritual leadership, but he also mentioned its necessities.  Of prayer, he wrote, “God will not cooperate with prayers of mere self-interest, or prayers that come from impure motives.  The Christian who clings to sin closes the ear of God.  Least of all will God tolerate unbelief, the chief of sins” (92).  Of time, he cautioned, “A leader needs a balanced approach to time lest it become his bondage and downfall” (98).  For reading he offered practical tips for effectiveness, particularly on what and how to read, stating, “Leaders should always cut a channel between reading and speaking and writing, so that others derive benefit, pleasure, and inspiration” (107).  With these tenets in mind, Sanders identified six areas that were to be cared for in improving leadership:  administration, spiritual tone, group morale, personal relationships, problem solving, and creative planning (112-113).  

Other necessities Sanders distinguished were leadership’s costs, responsibilities, tests, and the need for delegation.  The costs were listed as self-sacrifice, loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure and perplexity (116-122).  As for the responsibilities, they were discipline (also a quality), directing the confidence of others to the Lord, providing guidance, and initiation (126-128).  Along with these lists, a list of tests the spiritual leader faced were mentioned, such as compromise, ambition, the “impossible” situation, failure, and jealousy (131-135).  To the need of delegation, Sanders warned, “If we succumb to human persuasion and take on more than we should, God will accept no responsibility for the outcome” (140).

Pressing on with the task of teaching spiritual leadership, Sanders used the examples of Moses and Joshua in replacing spiritual leaders (144-145), while he chose Paul and Timothy as examples of reproducing spiritual leaders (148-149).  “God’s greatest gifts are always men.  His greatest endowment to the church was the gift of twelve men trained for leadership” (144).

With the foundation, the qualities, and the necessities, Sanders took care to explain certain perils or pitfalls of leadership.  He listed pride, egotism, jealousy, popularity, infallibility, indispensability, elation, depression, and disqualification (153-160).  With this list, Sanders offered encouragement with the example of Nehemiah, who despite the pitfalls, completed the task, as he quoted the book of Nehemiah:  “So the wall was completed” (Nehemiah 6:15, 166).   

            Within his work, Sanders walked the reader from the foundational to the qualities of spiritual leadership, and the necessities to the pitfalls, partaking from biblical examples to forge sound advice to those desiring the office of church leadership.  In reading Sanders’ work, those who pursue the call received what radio personality Paul Harvey would describe as “the rest of the story.”  As in the Scripture, he shared the good, bad, and the ugly of spiritual leadership, still begging the question in the reader’s mind “Can you become a leader?”  Each man of God should reflect on these words:  “No work of God will be left destitute until its purposes are achieved” (143), and “He [God] will take a man of lesser gifts that are fully available to Him and will supplement those gifts with His own mighty power” (145).  May the Lord help us to recognize utter need for Him in His service.  

           

How A Church Can be Structured: Elders & Deacons

Any church can choose to be structured in accordance with the guidelines and principles presented in the New Testament model of the church. The local church is comprised of those persons who make up the redeemed community (through faith in Christ) in a given place. This “body” of converted baptized believers functions as the representative of Christ in that particular locality. They covenant together to be a church with Christ always acknowledged as the Head of His body, which is the local church. (See Eph 1:22-23; 4:12-13,15; 5:23; 1 Cor 12:27; Col 1:18).

In creating the New Testament Church, God appointed certain men (“apostles and prophets”  Eph 2:19-20) to lay the foundation under the leadership of Christ and to establish the structure by which each church should function. As the number of churches increased and the gospel spread, God appointed certain men of known proper character to serve as “elders” or “overseers” of the body of Christ. The governance of the local assembly progressed to a structure where the authority was vested in an identified group of men who were called, ordained, and charged with the responsibility of leading and overseeing the local body of Christ.  This is the inspired model and it is binding on each local assembly to follow this pattern.  (See Acts 14:20-23, 15:1-4, 6, 22-23; Acts 16:4; 20:13-38; 21:17-26; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Jam 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1-4).

The Bible refers to the men who serve in this office as “elders.” The model of elder leadership as presented in the Bible is one of servant leadership (Mat 20:26; 1 Pet 5:1-4). In discharging their duties, the elders serve Christ first and the church body next. The church body acknowledges the authority of the elders and supports the elders in the function of the church̓s ministry (1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17-20; Heb 13:7,17). Nowhere does the New Testament teach or even hint at a structure of church government based on either majority rule (majoritism) or single (one-person) rule. The New Testament also prohibits women from serving in roles where they would teach or exercise authority over adult males in the local church setting (1 Tim 2:11-15).  The clear teaching of the New Testament is that Christ is the Head of His body (the church) and leads these local assemblies through the submissive servant-leadership of a group of godly men called and appointed to serve Christ and His church as elders.  In the Bible, both elders who primarily rule and others that labor in teaching to exhaustion are always in one group together in a particular church. There is not even one example of a local church with only one elder  (Acts 14:23; 15:4, 6, 23;  20:17, 28;  Phil 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17 [note the term “especially”]; Titus 1:5; James 5:14).

The New Testament model of the function of the local church also includes the role of the “deacon”.  Deacons are a group within the church body who are distinct from both the other believers and the elders within the church (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13).  They are an ordained group of men that serve in this second church office.  Their role and function in the church body is solely one of servanthood (Greek “diakonos” or servant). Deacons are a recognized group of godly men called out from the church body at large, ordained and charged with the responsibility of meeting the physical and care needs of the church body (Acts 6:1-6). While there are always administrative duties within the ministries of the church that require leadership, it is understood that the deacon is recognized as (and only as) a servant.  Thus, their tasks will change according to the needs in the body.  With this understanding, it is appropriate for women to serve in the non-ordained position of “deaconess” in the local assembly involving ministry to women or children (Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:11).  This position is not an office but is an auxiliary position to help the deacons meet the physical needs of female members in settings where it would be inappropriate for a man to be involved.