Is a plurality of elders/pastors biblical?
A case for more than one pastor in every local church
Last Sunday, I preach on the expectations and commission of an elder/pastor/overseer. Here is the article I included with the sermon notes:
We all have to make a decision when it comes to what we do and how we are structured. Do we base our practices on tradition (this is the way it has always been done)? Do we do what seems to work best according to our preferences and opinions? Or does the Bible have anything to say about our practices and structure?
I believe the Bible is clear that there are two offices in the local church: elders(or pastors) and deacons. Here is the issue, in Baptist churches the word elder has a negative connotation. But when the word elder is used all you should think about is the word pastor. (see my other article this week) Here is the other issue, I believe it’s pretty clear in the New Testament that every church is meant to be LED (not ruled) by more than one elder/pastor.
Plural elders/pastors were the norm in the New Testament.
Two passages make this clear:
A) 1 Peter 5:1- “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed shepherd the flock of God that is among you (plural), exercising oversight”
B) Hebrews 13:7- “Remember your leaders , those who spoke to you the word of God . Consider the outcome of their way of life , and imitate their faith .”
In both of these instances there elders/leaders are more than one. What do these pastors/elders do? They shepherd and speak the Word of God.
We need a distinction between elder/pastor-ruled and elder/pastor-led.
I’ve been in many conversations about this issue and so many people confuse what I am saying with Presbyterian practice. I’m not talking about an Elder-ruled church where the elders make all the decisions for the church. I’m talking about an elder-led church where a group of men are committed to the caring of souls, preaching/teaching of the Word, and are morally and doctrinally mature.
Elder-led churches have a long tradition among Baptists. Why does that matter? Baptists have shown that an Elder-led church can still be congregational ruled. So, Elders/Pastors wouldn’t be an isolated group who make all of the decisions for the church, but they would be chosen by, accountable to, and cooperative towards the congregation. They wouldn't make the biggest decisions on their own, the congregation would still do that. What do you think about the idea that there would be more than one person charged with the care of souls in our church?