Pastoral and Elder Roles & Responsibilities

The elders have responsibility to assist with the oversight of the church body and shepherding of its members, and will assist with responsibilities for managing the affairs of the church. While the staff directs the various ministries of the church, the Assistant Pastors and elders provide the overarching protection of the body.

1.     MANAGING THE CHURCH OF GOD – Elders are to oversee the life of the Church with the assistance of trustees and other Godly leaders. They must be people who can “rule well.”  1 Timothy 3,1 Timothy 5:7,Acts 6:2-3

2.     MODELING CORE VALUES – Elders are to provide a scriptural role model and set before the congregation an example of a rightly ordered life with one purpose, to glorify God. In addition, they are to engage in activities that promote the church’s mission of making disciples who are Belonging, Growing, Serving and Reaching, both in their personal walk and in their influence over the walk of others.

1.      1 Peter 5:3

3. PRAYING – Elders are to pray for the spiritual and physical well-being of members of the congregation. Acts 6:2-4,James 5:14-15

4. REMAINING VIGILANT –

Doctrinal Error – Elders are to confront those who are teaching what they should not teach, refuting those who contradict truth or who are continuing in a pattern of behavior contradictory to biblical truth. Thus, elders are to close potential entrances for Satan, so that the truth of Christ will remain credible to both the congregation and the community.Acts 20:29-31,Titus 1:9

Divisiveness – Elders are to protect the church by interceding in and presiding over issues that could serve to cause disharmony or division within its body of believers. They shall help to mediate resolution for issues handed over for their corporate care, consideration and arbitration. Ephesians 4:3,1 Corinthians 1:10

Discipline – Elders shall determine and enforce corporate discipline, as mandated and/or supported by Scripture, for the protection of the church and for the personal benefit of those within its body. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13,Matthew 18:15-22

5. SUPPORTING THE SENIOR PASTOR, LOCAL PASTOR AND STAFF – Elders are to exhort the Senior Pastor and staff of the church, which includes providing encouragement, comfort, persuasion, counseling, teaching and accountability. 1 Timothy 3:1-16,Titus 1:5-9

6. SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK – Serving in all humility, elders are to guide, direct, guard and protect the members of the body, seeking to meet their needs and assist in any way possible, warning against harmful influences, and guarding against false teaching. 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:9