Elders

Elders are the leaders of the church who in the Bible are also called pastors, shepherds, and overseers (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2). The elders are men chosen for their ministry according to clear biblical requirements (1 Timothy 2:11-3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). The elders are always spoken of in plurality, because God intends for more than one man to lead and rule over the church as a safeguard for both the church and the man. The elders' duties include ruling (1 Timothy 5:17), managing (1 Timothy 3:4-5), tending (1 Peter 5:2-5), giving account (Hebrews 13:17), living exemplary lives (Hebrews 13:7), using authority (Acts 20:28), teaching (Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3:2), preaching (1 Timothy 5:17), instructing in doctrine (Titus 1:9), and disciplining (Matthew 18:15-17).

Sovereign Grace is an elder-governed church, not a congregational/member-governed church. It is our view that scripture does not call for the church to be run by the members in a democratic fashion, but that it clearly teaches that the elders are the directors, managers, and overseers of the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 5:17; Titus 1:7-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Acts 20:17-38). This does not mean that the elders will not seek the input of the members when making decisions for the church. The elders desire to be as open as possible with the members of the church, seeking as much input as possible from the members in order to make decisions that reflect the conscience, first of God and second, of the membership of the body. It is the hope and prayer of the elders to lead Sovereign Grace in humility and with godly motives. The elders are always open to brotherly and sisterly discussion, criticism and/or advice, as long as it is done so in love. And, the elders would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and discernment to lead Sovereign Grace in a manner that is holy and blameless.