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Bishop, overseer, episcopate, presbyter, elder…all come from two Greek words presbuteros and episcopos.  These words in the NT are used virtually interchangeably and are used to discuss what our church refers to as elders.  Historically speaking Jesus appoints the Apostles and the Apostles appoint elders, Acts 15 we see that the elders are already moving into a place of prominent leadership, Paul establishes elders at the churches he plants (Acts 14:23) and commands Titus to do likewise (Titus 1:5).  These men were placed to govern and guard the church.  He selects elders in every church, not a delegate or a singular leader but multiple leaders for every church.  Why?  Because these men were godly and they knew God’s will, but more importantly they knew their church and community.  So, they were the best equipped to handle problems in the church God’s way.

Elders are discerned not decided.

• We live in a democracy, but we do not worship inside of one. The church and the family of God has never been open for election or campaigning.
  • In the Old Testament God spoke to his people directly through the priest or the prophet.
  • In the New Testament God is able to speak through all of us through the Holy Spirit in the name of Christ. To this extent there is a much greater sharing of leadership. But, it’s still about God. What is God calling us to? Who is God calling to certain purposes? When we vote or deliberate we’re not trying to get out our best choice, but God’s.
• God’s call should be evident through our gifts (Ephesians 4:7,11-16). God’s call is also evident through our passion (Jeremiah 20:9). Some people have these gifts and passion for leadership and with those gifts they have diverse and complimentary gifts. In our eldership the gifts are diverse which makes for a very good team.
• God’s call is recognized and made known through the church’s call. We are not to decide who is an elder, but rather discern who is already being called an elder by God. Acts 1 describes the call of Matthias who replaces Judas and this serves as an example of the church affirming God’s call as is the sending of Paul and Barnabas Acts 13:1-3.
• The reason for ordaining elders is because it officially denotes them as a leader, like a wedding officially blesses a union. This is why Timothy was told to be careful in his ordaining of elders, 1 Timothy 5:22. We may be called by God, but we are called to a church. So, you could be called by God – just not here. That’s why the church must affirm the call.

Elders are competent alone and complete together.

• Elders are not perfect, you might have already known that. They are imperfect men, imperfect examples and models. Although we would consider them to be examples and models for us. What are they modeling? What does it take to be an elder? We have two lists: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
  • These two lists have some differences in them. For instance Titus’ list includes “self-control,” “a firm grasp of the word,” and “devout,” while Timothy’s doesn’t. Does this mean Timothy’s elders didn’t need self-control? Titus’ list omits “sensible,” and “respectable,” while Timothy’s includes them. Does this mean Titus’ elders didn’t need to respect? No, these lists are not exhaustive, nor definitive. They outline for us the kinds of men that God is calling into leadership.
  • These lists serve as the foundation for the qualities of elders today. They are not exhaustive; they are our guidelines for selection. Seeing the difference between the lists leads me to believe that elder selection to some extent depends on the individual church, not their preferences, but their needs and God’s preferences. These lists serve as our touchstone to ensure our selections are within the will of God. Churches might have additional criteria. For instance we believe God has called us to a specific mission, so we believe he will send us leaders who believe in that mission.
• There are few things in these lists that cause some added friction today…
  • The material I quoted in regards to marriage and children come from Matt Proctor, “The Top Ten Questions for Potential Elders,” Christian Standard, 8/5/2007
  • An elder with a godly and healthy marriage is one who understands love. He understands what Paul is talking about when he says, “Christ loves the church, like a groom does his bride.” We need elders who love the church that much.
  • Based on historical witness of the Sanhedrin, the Qumran community and the ministry of Jesus we see that around 30 is a good minimum age, although it’s not hard and fast. Paul gave us a specific age for widows to be included on the widow’s list (1 Timothy 5:9) it’s sixty, but there is no specific age for elders.
  • This concept of age is more accurately defined by the scriptural requirements of “managing his household well” (Timothy’s list) or having “believing children” (Titus’ list).
• Competent Elders make a complete eldership and n order to have the whole counsel of God we need the whole council of elders.

Elders aspire to a vocation not a position.

• Elders are called to be established and permanent leaders in a congregation. Scripture never describes long-term, travelling preachers, prophets or even Apostles “elders.” I believe primarily because of their itinerant nature. We need long-term committed leaders to do the work of elders.
• What is it that the elders do?
  • Care for the flock of God which includes directing, feeding and guarding. (1 Peter 5:14)
  • Function as the final say in matters of congregational doctrine and practice. (Acts 15)
  • Pray, particularly for the sick. (James 5:14)
  • Live lives that are examples. (Hebrews 13:7)
  • Set people apart for specific tasks and ministry. (1 Timothy 4:14)

Being an elder is difficult, if we had put a Beatles song with this it would have been, “We Can Work It Out.”  And living at peace with each other should be our response to godly leadership.  1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NRSV), “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you;  esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”

1. Jesus is salvation for sheep. (10:9)

• Jesus replaces the closed door to life in Genesis, previously an angel with a sword stood in the way, now Christ opens the way.
• Hebrews 10:19-20 tells us, “Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),”
• Christ made the way to salvation possible by his own death.
  • If we want to be shepherds, if we want to test shepherds we must be willing to suffer as Christ suffered. We must be agents spreading salvation.
  • Jesus is the gate – the only way to salvation.

2. Jesus is the standard for leaders.

• One time while moving I forgot my keys and was met by the police in my front yard. I had to enter the house through a window and the neighbors called the police. You see they thought that because I entered through a window I didn’t belong in the house. Doors provide more than entrances – they provide a standard.
• Thieves and bandits enter from another way. (10:1)
  • Jesus was sent from the Father, so he comes with God’s blessings. Armed with the Spirit and right intentions.
  • The Pharisees were not sent from the Father – if they were they would have recognized Jesus.
  • They were not armed with the Spirit – their intentions were repeatedly recognized by Jesus as bad.
  • Ezekiel 34:1-4, 11 – gives us a picture of the shepherds that don’t come in the way, the standard of Christ.
• The godly under-shepherd enters from the gate.
  • 1 John 4:1-6 – Reveals the first and ultimate test for all under-shepherds, do they point back to Christ?
  • Even Jesus didn’t point to himself but back to the Father who sent him.
• Therefore any under-shepherd must follow Christ’s example, 1 Peter 5:1-5. Here are some of the characteristics: willing to serve, serve as Christ and not serve not for money or power.
• John 21:15-19 we see a very moving statement about following Christ’s example. Jesus tells Peter that tending sheep involves sacrifice.
  • Under-shepherds are called to the same sacrifice as Jesus.
  • Jesus’ sacrifice is our standard for spiritual leadership.

I read Spiritual Leadership in a casual style, after my morning Bible reading I would take in a chapter of Oswald Sanders’ thoughts on leadership.  This allowed me to digest and attempt to apply his principles throughout the day.  What I liked most about this book was that it came from scripture.  Sanders is excellent at taking his many years of ministry experience and filtering them through the lens of the Bible.  This gives the reader a very clear view at some of the necessary spiritual qualities of leadership often omitted from other leadership books.  Sanders focuses a lot on character, sacrifice and staying in tune spiritually through prayer.  He goes through scripture and highlighting many leaders from the Bible gleaning from their recorded experiences.  This book is excellent for nurturing the soul and heart of a leader.  He prefers principle over the pragmatic and in many places lacks a tangible next step.

This book comes across as very dated.  Originally printed in 1967 it lacks present day leadership vocabulary and the enthusiasm normally associated with the leadership genre.  This is not a go-to book for problem solving or as a guide for forming a team.  While reading this book I was also reading Henri Nouwen’s Wounded Healer and when compared this book comes across as very modern. Nouwen’s insights seem to be more timeless and applicable in this post-modern world.  His approach was more mystical and yet in some ways more tangible for those in the pastorate.

Spiritual Leaderhip is probably best suited as a devotional and as a check for the leaders’ soul.  I found myself evaluating not my practice of leading but my heart and motive.  All things considered, I recommend this as a nightstand book for a church leader who wants to increase their level of self-awareness and spiritual sensitivity.