The Nine Marks: 7. Church Leadership

What is it?
There are two church offices according to Scripture: elders and deacons. Elders are to be godly, qualified men who serve as teachers and shepherds of the church. Deacons, on the other hand, are servants of the church, focusing on practical needs of members and the unity of the whole body.

Where is it in the Bible?
Paul lays out the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

God gifts churches with elders to:
-feed God’s sheep God’s word (Jn. 21:15-17),
-guide the sheep (1 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 5:3, Heb. 13:7),
-and protect the sheep from attackers (Acts 20:27-29; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Tit. 1:9),
while protecting both themselves and the church through the wisdom of their plurality (Prov. 11:14; 24:6).

When the Epistles mention elders, they present them as a group or a plurality (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, 1 Tim. 4:14, 5:17; James 5:14).

The qualifications for deacons are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

While “the seven” are not named deacons in Acts 6:1-7, these seven individuals demonstrate the basic work of a deacon: (i) meeting tangible needs, (ii) bringing unity to the church, (iii) and supporting the teaching ministry of the elders.

Why is it important?
Biblical eldership is important because through it God blesses the church with instruction, protection, and unity.

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