The Role of Church Elders

Reflecting Christ, Redeeming the Time
The Role of Church Elders
Life B-P Church Worship Service, 26th April 2026
Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4

We should be very concerned about the health of our church life.

• One important requirement for a healthy church life is good leadership.
• A proper understanding of the role of elders in the church is essential:
  To pray for them and encourage them
  To trust them, follow their example and submit to them
  To learn principles that are applicable to any leadership role in church
  To prepare those who will be called to serve as elders one day

In this passage, Peter exhorted the elders to fulfil three responsibilities: 

1.    Supplying to the Spiritual Needs of the Church
“Feed the flock of God which is among you...” (v.2a)

a.    This is the most important responsibility of elders.

• Peter received this command from Jesus. (Cf. John 21:15-17)
• Paul gave the same command to elders. (Cf. Acts 20:28)

b.    The elders are to provide for the various needs of the congregation:

• Knowledge of God’s Word
• Spiritual guidance, counsel and protection
• Spiritual welfare and development

c.    In order to do this, the elders need to be:

• Well-versed in God’s Word
• Spiritually mature
• Able to stand on their own

2.    Supervising the Ministries of the Church 
 “…taking the oversight thereof” (v.2b)

a.    Supervision is needed in order to:

• Coordinate the church’s activities
• Facilitate the smooth-running of church plans and programmes
• Manage the church’s resources
• Monitor the church’s direction and progress

b.     To do this, the elders must be able to:

• Make wise decisions
• Know God’s will for each ministry of the church

c.    Supervising a church is not an easy task:

• As the church membership grows the demands for supervision will also increase. (E.g. Acts 6:1-4)
• Deacons are appointed to provide supervision for the practical areas of service.
• This goes hand-in-hand with the supervision that elders provide for the spiritual needs of the church.

3.    Setting a Good Example to the Church
“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (v.3)

• No one should abuse his authority in church as it is God’s possession.
• The church must have leaders who lead by example.
• Their lives must exhibit godly characteristics and virtues.
• Christ taught His disciples humility by His own example. (John 13:3-15)
• Elders must be willing to come down to the level of those whom they would lead. (Cf. The words ‘among you’ in vv.1,2)
• They must set an example of doctrine, conduct and faith. (Cf. Titus 2:7,8; 1 Timothy 4:12)

Conclusion:

• Think very carefully before accepting a call to serve as a church elder.
• Elders who serve well can look forward to the special reward for responsible leadership. (v.4)
• Those who do not seek for glory will obtain it. (Cf. Psalm 3:3; 62:7)

Questions for Personal Reflection:
In what way has submission of church members to church leaders brought you blessing? 
In what specific ways can you pray for the leaders of the church?